Fuji Question: Alternatives for fuji 60mm

pniev

Student for life
Hi all,

After using the lens for a while, I've concluded that the 60mm fuji lens does not really work for me. So I am looking for an alternative. As I do not have any adapter yet, I am open to any kind of lens that can be mounted on the x-pro1. Which (preferably 1:1) macro lens(es) would you recommend in the 90-180mm (35mm eq.) range? Obviously the Voigtlander Lanthar 125mm would be a fantastic choice (see Gwen's flower shots!) but that lens is very expensive. Are there any hidden gems that are a bit more affordable?

Thanks,

Peter
 
Most macro lenses are either 50-55mm or 90-100mm (actual, not equivalent focal lengths). My favourite was the Vivitar 55mm f/2.8 macro, which was also sold under various other brand names like Komine and Kiron and available in all of the popular SLR lens mounts. It is not the smallest of the ~50mm macros (most of which are only f/3.5 or f/4 anyway) but is very well built, has a long and precise focus throw, and is well renowned optically.
 
Peter, curious what you don't like about the 60mm. As I ponder whether to buy into Fuji, this is one lens I would want, so would love to hear your thoughts.
 
Hi all,

After using the lens for a while, I've concluded that the 60mm fuji lens does not really work for me. So I am looking for an alternative. As I do not have any adapter yet, I am open to any kind of lens that can be mounted on the x-pro1. Which (preferably 1:1) macro lens(es) would you recommend in the 90-180mm (35mm eq.) range? Obviously the Voigtlander Lanthar 125mm would be a fantastic choice (see Gwen's flower shots!) but that lens is very expensive. Are there any hidden gems that are a bit more affordable?


Thanks,

Peter

If you can get hold of a good condition sample of the Tamron 90mm f/2.5 macro it would give good results on a Fuji X.

I've a decidedly rough-looking one which is optically and mechanically fine - a bit soft wide open but nice and sharp from f4 to f16

It goes down to 1:2 and a tube gets you closer. I have the Tamron 2x extender which turns it into a 1:1 180mm which again works fine when stopped down a bit.

I regret selling a manual M42 50mm Takumar which I used on my Nikon DSLR some years ago. This focussed continuously to 1:1 and was pleasingly light and sharp.

That would be my choice now if I could find one.
 
I have a Lester A. Dine 105mm (also sold as Kiron and others) that I really like, but a focal length that long on an unstabilzed is no fun I have learned so I usually only use it a m43 body, but it's workable on the Fuji for static objects and tripod work (and a much more pleasurable manual focus experience to the native Fuji 60mm).
 
Didn't realize the Fuji 60 wasn't 1:1. I'm assuming then it's 1:2? Which is pretty much every 50mm macro from any other system, so I don't think that's a huge loss, though I think that most 100mm eq. macros are indeed 1:1.

On FL and macros: I don't know this, but I would think anything that does 1:1, if you are on highest magnification, they all need a shutter speed of X, regardless of focal length. That is, it doesn't matter if the FL is 60mm, 105mm or 200mm, if it's all 1:1, then you need the same shutter speed to get the shot. I don't know what that shutter speed is, btw, but I gotta think focal length is a non factor, because the effective magnification is all the same???
 
the AF is miserable....QUOTE]

I'd be curious on how the lens AFs on an XM1 vs. XP or XE. Actually, I think I'd just like to see a real, pro-grade gear-based review of the XM1. My one week play tells me it was a lot more responsive then the first two x cams. I'd like to see stats, to see if the 60mm (ad 35mm) AF will be salvageable.
 
Peter, curious what you don't like about the 60mm. As I ponder whether to buy into Fuji, this is one lens I would want, so would love to hear your thoughts.

1. Like Luke said, the AF is miserable also after the recent firmware upgrade. I never had issues with AF except with this lens. It is not a showstopper because for macro-work I like to use MF anyway.

2. It is not 1:1 which turns out to be more of an issue than I originally expected, especially for watch photography. The 60mm basically requires cropping to view the details.

2. My biggest problem is that I just don't like the results of close-range/'macro' flower shots. I get better results with the 35mm. I have not been able yet to make the lens shine in nature shots. And Gwen's flower shots with the VL taught me that there is a huge gap between the fuji 60mm and the VL 125mm Lanthar. Perhaps I expect too much but it would be nice to have something in the middle. And perhaps it is just me and I am not skilled enough to use the 60mm well.

I was quite pleased though with the results of some watch/product shots. Below a few cropped shots (some posted earlier).

I haven't tried portraits with the 60mm yet because I like the 35mm (±50mm eq) too much.

Some watch shots with the 60mm:

Full shot:
p1658592401-5.jpg
[

Crops of this photo:
View attachment 74831
 
I think (and I could be wrong, obviously) that all the X cams are now in the same ballpark with regard to focus speed. After their firmware updates, I don't think anyone would call them slow. But the 60mm is slow not because of the body, but the long range of focus it must go through. They could have helped this along by including a focal range limiter.
 
You're right! (of course :)). Thanks for mentioning it

I think (and I could be wrong, obviously) that all the X cams are now in the same ballpark with regard to focus speed. After their firmware updates, I don't think anyone would call them slow. But the 60mm is slow not because of the body, but the long range of focus it must go through. They could have helped this along by including a focal range limiter.
 
So... my "90" is a Leica 60mm Elmarit-R that I have converted to Nikon F with a Leitax mount and then use on my X-E1 with a Novoflex adaptor. It is not the lightest of lenses but it is an exceptional performer.

Sent from another Galaxy
 
I've been using a minolta MD macro 100mm f4 lens on a bellows setup with my XE1. Perhaps a bit silly looking when walking around with it, but I think it works fairly well..and the price was pretty cheap.

9393120493_be0207a077_b.jpg


View attachment 74845 (actualy this one might be with my panny g5, crop factor might be off)

9395888494_536c8576b7_b.jpg
 
Most macro lenses that I am aware of are going to slower in terms of AF speed then a non-macro lens of the same focal length. It is just the nature of the beast. They not only tend to have more mass, but unlike normal lenses that have a short focus throw from close to infinity, they are designed w/ a much longer throw to get that fine focus for that macro shot.

I tend to use macro lenses in manual focus mode as well.. They are ok for general purpose lenses.. I have never worried about af speed on a macro lens. I do agree, I wish it was a 1:1..

Gary
 
I think (and I could be wrong, obviously) that all the X cams are now in the same ballpark with regard to focus speed. After their firmware updates, I don't think anyone would call them slow. But the 60mm is slow not because of the body, but the long range of focus it must go through. They could have helped this along by including a focal range limiter.

I agree.. Focus limiter would have been the right solution when this lens is used as a normal 60.

Gary
 
Hi all,

After using the lens for a while, I've concluded that the 60mm fuji lens does not really work for me. So I am looking for an alternative. As I do not have any adapter yet, I am open to any kind of lens that can be mounted on the x-pro1. Which (preferably 1:1) macro lens(es) would you recommend in the 90-180mm (35mm eq.) range? Obviously the Voigtlander Lanthar 125mm would be a fantastic choice (see Gwen's flower shots!) but that lens is very expensive. Are there any hidden gems that are a bit more affordable?

Thanks,

Peter

Some of the lenses I've tried.

The 90mm 2.5s in Tokina and Vivitar are heart stoppers. AKA Bokinas.
1:2 without the matched adapters but would probably work well with blank tubes.

The Nikkor 105s are great. The F4 version is only 1:2 but a great value. The 1:1 adapter PN1/1 has a tripod mount which is a nice feature.

Tamron makes a MF adaptall F2.8 that goes to 1:1. I believe it shares the same optical formula as the newer AF version = very good.
The F2.5 version is nice. Small and sharp.
 
Back
Top