As far as I can tell this thing was released in 2017. Optically it is fine. But it's massive, clunky, slow middling AF performance, poor close focusing for a macro, and even missing an AF/MF button. I do love the 30mm but would like a longer focal length.
Just kind of weird that it never really gets tossed around as something they are working to update or redo altogether.
Anyone else care about macro in the Fuji system? Maybe I'm the outlier. I just like APSC better than M43 for Macro.
jakelindsay wrote:
As far as I can tell this thing was released in 2017. Optically it is fine. But it's massive, clunky, slow middling AF performance, poor close focusing for a macro, and even missing an AF/MF button. I do love the 30mm but would like a longer focal length.
Just kind of weird that it never really gets tossed around as something they are working to update or redo altogether.
Anyone else care about macro in the Fuji system? Maybe I'm the outlier. I just like APSC better than M43 for Macro.
Well it does 1:1, which is as close as macros normally do. A manual focus version would be nice, af/mf button on camera isn't it?
It is actually a very good macro lens that competes well with my Canon 100mm macro.
jakelindsay wrote:
As far as I can tell this thing was released in 2017. Optically it is fine. But it's massive, clunky, slow middling AF performance, poor close focusing for a macro, and even missing an AF/MF button. I do love the 30mm but would like a longer focal length.
Just kind of weird that it never really gets tossed around as something they are working to update or redo altogether.
Anyone else care about macro in the Fuji system? Maybe I'm the outlier. I just like APSC better than M43 for Macro.
I actually think its under rated. Its a true 1:1 macro with AF, OIS, and linear focus motors. Pretty modern I would say. I think its optically excellent. Fuji makes some smaller, lighter, more general purpose macros (that aren't 1:1) if you want to compromise on the macro ability. I've used it for some portraits and found it very good for that as well. The 1.4TC works really well on it too if you want a longer FL.
AFAIK all macros suffer from slowish focusing performance when doing macro and they all struggle with nailing focus at macro distances compared to regular distances.
Maybe they've decided it's too hard to compete with excellent third-party choices like the
Laowa 65mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO and Laowa 25mm F/2.8 2.5-5x ultra macro.
I am no engineer, but the 80mm seems to be perfectly fine. Very good build quality, AF was good, you can use the two teleconverters and so on. They could probably trim down some weight and size but would that alone warrant a remodelling for a fairly niche lens?
SGinNorcal wrote:
I actually think its under rated. Its a true 1:1 macro with AF, OIS, and linear focus motors. Pretty modern I would say. I think its optically excellent. Fuji makes some smaller, lighter, more general purpose macros (that aren't 1:1) if you want to compromise on the macro ability. I've used it for some portraits and found it very good for that as well. The 1.4TC works really well on it too if you want a longer FL.
SGinNorcal wrote:
I actually think its under rated. Its a true 1:1 macro with AF, OIS, and linear focus motors. Pretty modern I would say. I think its optically excellent. Fuji makes some smaller, lighter, more general purpose macros (that aren't 1:1) if you want to compromise on the macro ability. I've used it for some portraits and found it very good for that as well. The 1.4TC works really well on it too if you want a longer FL.
Generally agree, and I enjoy using mine. But a small correction: the tiny new 30mm macro does actually focus to 1:1, albeit inside the lens hood requiring you to take it off, so it's utility at that magnification is debatable.
Sony does 1.4, OM System does 2.0 magnification. And Fuji's 30mm does 1.0. Not to mention all three of those are optically better performers than the 80. I'm not saying 80 is a slouch optically, it's just leaves a lot to be desired in other areas.
gyoung143 wrote:
Well it does 1:1, which is as close as macros normally do. A manual focus version would be nice, af/mf button on camera isn't it?
I suppose preference vary greatly with what you are using your lens to do. I am typically taking shots of bugs, blooms, or hummingbirds, that's why I like the longer focal length often with the 1.4x. I can't see the 30mm being useful for me. I have the Contax 645 120mm that is a better lens optically and great truly manual focus. But I have to admit that handheld focus stacking using AF is a nice feature of the 80.
The little 30mm macro can be quite useful in some cases. It is my wife’s favorite lens and photographing small stuff is her thing. It is also a very compact lens that doubles for non-macro photography.
