Best Fujifilm macro lens

In this article, we’ll be focusing on macro lenses for Fujifilm’s X-mount, designed for APS-C cameras. I won’t be discussing G-mount macro lenses for medium format in this post. After reviewing Sony’s E-mount, Nikon’s Z-mount, and Canon’s RF-mount, it’s time to explore the possibilities that Fujifilm has to offer. To help you get started, I have compiled a comprehensive page that lists all the Fujifilm X lenses currently available, including third-party brands (AF/MF) that offer X mount lenses. It’s worth noting that Fujifilm did not allow other brands to create lenses for their mount until 2021, but now big names like Sigma, Tokina, and Tamron are entering the market.

By the way, if you are considering switching to Fujifilm or thinking of changing your camera, I have also written a comprehensive article detailing all the Fujifilm X cameras.

The Fujifilm X-mount is not new, having been introduced in 2011. Currently, and likely for a long time to come, it is the mount I would recommend for people looking to buy an APS-C mirrorless camera. I won’t go into another lecture here, but I invite you to read our article explaining the influence of sensor size on photography. In short, at the moment, other brands offering APS-C lenses are more limited, with the exception of Sony’s “E” mount for APS-C, which still offers interesting lenses.

However, macro photography is a niche field and not many people decide to fully explore it. It is a specialized area of photography that involves a lot of experimentation and patience, and it also requires a good environment. Despite the X-mount being around since 2011, there are only three Fujifilm macro lenses available as of writing this article. This includes the brand new Fujifilm XF 30mm f/2.8 R LM W Macro which was just released in January 2023.

So, in this article, I will detail these 3 lenses. I then discuss other third-party alternatives, particularly manual focus, which may also be worth considering if you are looking for a macro lens for fuji x mount.

Let’s get straight to the point. But before we dive into the details, if you’re curious about Fujifilm’s other offerings, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of the best Fujifilm X lenses available.

As previously stated, there are presently only three macro lenses available (with autofocus) for the X-mount, which will be discussed in detail below. The table below presents the key physical features for comparing the lenses. To note, only fixed focal lengths are available, and therefore no macro zoom lenses are offered.

Below is a table outlining the main features of these three Fujinon macro lenses to keep in mind.

Here are the details for the three Fuji X-mount macro lenses. By clicking on the links below, you can access the specific lens you are interested in.

1. Fujifilm XF 30mm f/2.8 R LM W Macro
2. Fujifilm XF 60mm f/2.4 R Macro
3. Fujifilm XF 80mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR Macro

The Fujifilm XF 30mm f/2.8 R LM W Macro is the latest addition to the X-mount macro lenses, released in January 2023. This lens follows the popular Fujifilm 80mm macro lens and the “fake macro” Fujifilm 60mm macro lens, which are both detailed below. The XF 30mm is the first macro lens from Fujifilm with such a short focal length (30mm). Despite its compact design, weighing only 195g and measuring 7cm in length, the lens has an ultra-short focusing distance of 10cm, which makes it less suitable for live insect photography. It has a 43mm filter size and does not extend, and comes with a simple plastic lens hood.

The Fujifilm XF 30mm f/2.8 R LM W Macro lens does not come with image stabilization, but this won’t be a problem if you use one of the latest Fujifilm cameras such as the Fujifilm X-T5. As the name suggests, the lens has an aperture ring marked with “R,” a linear motor marked with “LM,” and is weather-resistant (marked with “WR”). The lens has a high-quality build, with a matte black barrel and a wider base than the front of the lens (similar to the Fujifilm 50mm f/2). This macro lens has 11 elements in 9 groups, including 3 aspherical lenses, 2 ED lenses, and a fluorine coating on the front element to reduce smearing and make cleaning easier. The lens is labeled as a macro lens and offers a true 1:1 magnification ratio. However, as previously mentioned, the minimum focusing distance is so short that it will be difficult to achieve a 1:1 ratio (not to mention that the lens will often cast shadows on your subject). In fact, with the lens hood mounted, it is virtually impossible to shoot 1:1 pictures.

The lens has two classic rings: an aperture ring, which looks very good and has markings at all stops, and a classic focus ring that has pretty good feedback too. However, this 30mm macro lens does not offer an AF/MF switch, which is a bit of a shame for a macro lens. It also lacks an AF range limiter. While macro photography fans often use manual focus anyway, the autofocus is said to be very good.

In terms of image quality, the Fujifilm XF 30mm f/2.8 R LM W Macro performs very well, with good sharpness in the centre at full aperture, though it’s slightly less sharp at the edges and corners. However, stopping down to f/4 and then f/5.6 improves sharpness and overall image homogeneity. For macro photography, shooting at f/2.8 is rare, so this should not be a major concern. But from f/11 onwards, image quality may be affected by diffraction. There is a noticeable pincushion distortion and vignetting, but these can be corrected in post-processing or by shooting JPEGs directly in-camera (although this may degrade image quality in the corners). The lens manages chromatic aberration and flare very well. The bokeh quality appears good, but given the short focal length, creating a beautiful background blur may be challenging.

With a price tag of less than 700€, Fujifilm has come up with a very interesting lens for macro photography enthusiasts looking for a very compact and overall good quality lens. Macro fans will prefer the Fuji 80mm macro which remains the reference, but this small 30mm will easily find its place in your bag with its 200g! Compared to the two dinosaurs that are the 60mm and the 80mm (mentioned below), this is a nice burst of freshness from Fuji.

This 60mm macro lens was the first macro lens released by Fujifilm back in 2012. It also functions as a small telephoto lens, with a 90mm equivalent on a full frame sensor, making it suitable for outdoor portraits, although there are now better and more appropriate lenses for that purpose. Despite being labelled as a “macro” lens, the Fujifilm XF 60mm f/2.4 R Macro only offers a magnification ratio of 1:2, which may be sufficient for most people. Weighing only 215g and measuring 6 cm in length, the lens is very light. It comes with a large all-metal lens hood. It’s important to note that this lens is now over 10 years old.

The build quality of this lens is high-end, despite its age. It features 10 elements in 8 groups, 9 aperture blades, and aspherical and ED lenses to reduce chromatic aberrations. The focusing distance of the lens is quite long at around 26.7 cm, which is much longer than the brand new Fujifilm XF 30mm f/2.8 R LM W Macro, even though they are the same size.

The lens does not feature image stabilization or weather sealing, and it lacks an AF/MF switch button on the barrel. Autofocus performance has been a point of criticism for this lens, but it should be noted that this lens is not a recent release. While autofocus may not be the fastest, for macro photography, manual focus is often preferred anyway.

The sharpness of the lens remains excellent, even though it is aging. The lens produces sharp images even at full aperture at f/2.4. Closing down to f/3.2 and then f/4 improves image quality even further, making it more uniform and homogeneous. However, image quality starts to deteriorate from f/8 due to the diffraction phenomenon. In terms of optical defects, the lens performs well, with minimal distortion, slight vignetting at full aperture that disappears quickly, and few chromatic aberrations.

In the end, although the lens is quite old, it is still a viable option for those who want to try macro photography with a 1:2 magnification ratio, all at a price under 600€. The lens is well-built and delivers good sharpness, and can even be suitable for portraiture.

Released in late 2017, this lens was highly anticipated by Fujifilm enthusiasts who had long-awaited a true X-mount macro lens. Previously, the only option available was the Fujifilm XF 60mm f/2.4 R Macro, which only offered a 1:2 ratio. The new 80mm lens, equivalent to a 130mm on a full-frame camera, has several advantages and finally provides a 1:1 ratio lens for true macro photography enthusiasts. The only drawback is that it is rather bulky and heavy, weighing 750g and measuring 13 cm in length. It is worth noting that the lens comes with a lens hood and storage pouch. Despite being a macro lens, this focal length is also well-suited for portrait photography.

The build quality of the Fujifilm XF 80mm f/2.8 lens is exceptional and it also comes with the added benefits of optical stabilization and weather protection. The lens is composed of 16 lenses arranged in 12 groups, which includes an aspherical lens, 3 ED glass lenses, and 1 Super ED glass lens. Additionally, the front lens is coated with fluorine. The minimum focusing distance for this lens is 25 cm.

The Fujifilm XF 80mm f/2.8 lens is constructed entirely of metal and boasts excellent build quality, with a notched aperture ring featuring ⅓ stops and a high-quality focus ring that is comfortable to use. Two switches can be found on the barrel: one to activate or deactivate the stabilization, and another for focus range limitation, allowing the focus range to be limited to 50 cm to infinity, 25cm to 50cm, or infinity. It’s worth noting that this lens is compatible with Fujifilm’s x1.4 and x2 teleconverters.

The image quality of this 80mm lens is exceptional, with sharpness being perfect even at full aperture. At f/2.8, the edges and corners may be slightly behind, but they become flawless at f/8, resulting in completely uniform image sharpness. However, starting from f/11, diffraction gradually lowers the image quality. At full aperture, vignetting may occur, but this will not be an issue in macro photography, where a smaller aperture is often used to maximize the depth of field. Distortion is non-existent.

In the end, Fujifilm signs here a top-of-the-range macro lens for Fujifilm X-mount, excellent for people who want to start in the field of macro photography. It is still the best lens of the brand and the best choice if you have the budget, which remains high, but classic if you compare the competition.

The table below summarizes the main physical characteristics of the Fujifilm macro lenses mentioned above.

To the best of my knowledge, there are no other brands currently offering macro lenses with autofocus for the Fujifilm X-mount.

In addition to the three autofocus macro lenses mentioned earlier, there are also four manual focus macro lenses that I would like to highlight for the Fujifilm X-mount.

The table below compares the physical characteristics of these lenses and provides recommendations. Click on the name of each lens to view more details.

1. Laowa 65mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO X
2. 7artisans 60mm f/2.8 II V2 Macro X
3. Samyang 100mm f/2.8 Macro ED UMC X
4. TTArtisan APS-C 40mm f/2.8 Macro X

I believe this is an excellent option if you are on a tight budget and don’t require autofocus, which is not typically necessary for macro photography anyway. The Laowa lens is made of high-quality materials and is relatively lightweight at 322g. It offers a focusing distance of 16.5cm and a 2:1 magnification ratio, which is quite impressive. Please note that EXIF data is not transmitted to the camera when using this lens.

The image quality of the Laowa lens is already outstanding at full aperture. Stopping down to f/5.6 will result in even sharper and more consistent images. There are very few optical issues with this lens, making it a great manual alternative for less than 500€.

In contrast, the 7Artisans lens we mention here represents a departure from the high-end register of the other lenses discussed. The I version of this lens was generally considered to be of poor quality, but the brand has made significant improvements in the latest version. The new 7Artisans lens is much lighter, with a focusing distance of 17.5cm, and has a smooth focusing ring and a click-free aperture ring.

The image quality is said to be good at full aperture, but stopping down to f/5.6 is necessary to achieve better sharpness and more uniform images. The lens does have some optical flaws, including a higher-than-average susceptibility to flare. However, at less than 200€, it is a low-risk way to enter the world of macro photography.

Another option worth considering is the Samyang 100mm f/2.8 macro lens, which is available for less than 450€. This lens offers a 1:1 magnification ratio, a focusing distance of 30cm, and a relatively good build quality. However, it is a substantial lens, measuring 15cm long and weighing 705g (equivalent to the Fuji 80mm). The image quality is good in the center and at full aperture, although the edges are still not as sharp.

Optical defects are generally well-controlled with this lens. It also produces excellent results for portrait photography. Overall, it is a great choice if you’re looking for a long lens for your Fujifilm camera at an affordable price.

Finally, we have the TTArtisan 40mm lens, which is a good option to consider if you’re looking for a manual focus macro lens for your Fujifilm camera. This lens has a solid, all-metal build quality but still does not transmit EXIF data. It extends in macro mode, and the barrel provides focus distance and magnification ratio indicators. The quality of the images is said to be very good in the center and at full aperture, although stopping down to f/11 is necessary to obtain sharper and more consistent results.

There are few optical defects with this lens, and at a price point of just 120€, it is a good choice if you are on a tight budget.

The physical characteristics of the above-mentioned manual focus macro lenses are summarized in the table below.

So, I’ve come to the end of what I consider to be the best Fujifilm X macro lenses. There aren’t many options with autofocus at the moment, but since macro photography is a niche field, this should be enough for you to find what you’re looking for!

Also known as a macro ring, this is a macro accessory that allows you to experiment without necessarily buying a lens dedicated to macro photography. To put it simply, it is a hollow tube (more or less wide) which does not contain any lens and therefore allows you to increase the distance between the lens and the sensor. This has the immediate effect of increasing the magnification, decreasing the focusing distance, but considerably reducing the amount of light reaching the sensor, which will be a disadvantage in cases of already low ambient light.

If you’re not sure yet whether to take the plunge and buy a Fujifilm X macro lens, then this is a very economical way to get started. I’ve done quite a bit of research and have come up with a list of the best extension tubes for Fujifilm:

• Fujifilm MCEX-11 (11mm) and Fujifilm MCEX-16 (16mm), the two and only references of the brand, sure values. You can buy them alone or together directly,
• Meike MK-F-AF3 (10 et 16mm)
• Fotodiox (7, 14 and 28mm).

I already wrote a comprehensive guide on how to choose a macro lens, so I won’t go over everything here. However, here are a few key things to keep in mind:

• Magnification ratio: also known as the magnification/reproduction ratio, this is the ratio of the actual size of a subject to the size projected onto your camera sensor. A macro lens can be considered as soon as the ratio of 1:1 is reached. There are other lenses (such as the Laowa) that offer larger ratios (2:1 to 5:1),
• Minimum focusing distance: this is simply the minimum distance your sensor (not the front of your lens) can focus on a subject. Be careful not to be fooled. The new Fuji 30mm only offers a distance of 10cm while the lens measures 7cm. You will be 3cm away from your subject!
• The focal length: as in all areas of photography, you will have the choice here to shoot globally between 35mm and 180mm (if I go for the two extremes). The shorter focal lengths offer much shorter focusing distances, but it will be more complicated, if not impossible to get close to a live subject without scaring it (like with the Fuji 30mm). The longer you choose a lens, the longer the focusing distance and the more you will be able to blur your background.

As for the choice of a classic lens, other parameters such as weight, filter size, image quality, optical defects, maximum aperture (although this is of little importance in Macro, but can be interesting in low light), or your budget, come into play!

I’m coming to the end of this article on the best Fujifilm X macro lenses (aps-C sensor). The main point is here and you should be able to make a real thoughtful choice! I will continue to write about Fujifilm lenses little by little!

If you liked the article and it helped you make your choice, you can decide to go through the links in this article, which will allow us to earn a small commission, with no change in the final price for you of course. This simply allows us to continue writing free content, independently and without advertising!

See you soon,

Sylvain