Fujifilm just announced a new lens: Fujinon 30mm f/2.8 Macro. This is a “standard” prime lens with a 45mm (equivalent) focal-length. It’s a macro, and its closest focus distance is about 4″ from the sensor, which is great. While the f/2.8 maximum aperture may not sound especially exciting, it’s important to know that impressive maximum apertures aren’t a big deal on macros. The 30mm f/2.8 macro has a linear motor and is weather-sealed. Overall it seems like a high quality Fujinon lens.
I love macro lenses because they’re often very sharp and quite versatile. The one downside is that there’s a lot of range to scroll through when focusing, and because of this they’re not quite as quick as non-macro lenses. In Fujifilm’s lineup, you have two other macro options: the 60mm f/2.4 and 80mm f/2.8. The 60mm is old, slow, and optically inferior, although still a good lens. The 80mm is excellent optically (one of the absolute best, actually), but is bulky and expensive. At $600, this new lens is not overly costly, yet seemingly quite capable and pretty compact. This new 30mm option will be an appealing choice for those interested in macro photography, or those wanting a good walk-around lens with extra versatility.
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Preorder your Fujinon 30mm f/2.8 Macro: Amazon B&H
Orders will apparently ship on November 17.
In other (but related) news, AstrHori has released a 28mm f/13 Micro Probe lens that has 2x magnification! If you want to get really close, and do some crazy closeup pictures of bugs or flowers, this is a lens to strongly consider. I don’t think you’d put this unusual lens on your camera for street photography or portraits—you might poke someone’s eye out—but for true macro photography, this is one you’ll want to take a good look at. If you are a dedicated macro shooter, this is a lens to get excited for; however, with that said, I’ve never used it and cannot attest to the image quality—I don’t doubt that it’s decent, I just have no firsthand experience. If you only occasionally dabble in macro photography, then the Fujinon 30mm is probably a better choice for you. The good news for macro photographers is that you have two new options. Yea!
The AstrHori 28mm f/13 Micro Probe is available for $739 on Amazon.
Well the 60mm f/2.4 might be “optically inferior”, but it has a very useful purpose for me as a people lens in the classic 90mm (equivalent) range. It has a similar rendering as the 35mm f/1.4 (same generation) with more compression and selective focus potential.
I use my 60mm 80% of the time in the normal range with the ability to move on tightly without worrying about bumping up against the minimum focus distance. I would assume this new 30mm will be the same for many as 4 inches from the sensor when you add the depth of the camera and lens will mean this lens might not leave a lot of working room for 1 to 1 macro. Assuming good performance at moderate and long distances it can be a versatile tool.
I look forward to the early reviews for real world shooting.
I used to own the 60mm and really appreciated it… was my top-used lens for awhile. Sold it to help fund my 90mm (no regrets). Even though it’s not Fujifilm’s “best” it’s still quite good, as good as or better than a lot of lenses by other brands.
What’s the magnification ratio on this new Fuji unit?
1:1
As a real estate listings photographer, I’m waiting for the Fuji 8mm lens next year…. Currently using a Zeiss 12mm, which is fine, but that 8mm sure is appealing….
The 8mm will be perfect for real estate photography, I think.
Eagerly awaiting it!
If I hadn’t had just got the 35/2 WR, I’d be strongly considering this. Nice walk-around, all-purpose lens.
It does seem like an excellent all-purpose lens. I’d be tempted by it if I hadn’t just purchased a new camera body.
=D
My own new camera was why I got the lens. Traded in my X-E2 and got an X-Pro3, and really wanted an AF lens for it. For the X-E2, I’d been satisfied with TTArtisan and Samyang/Rokinon manual focus lenses. While the mini-screen in the bottom corner of the OVF does make it possible to use a manual focus lens… That just wasn’t what I wanted out of the camera. The reason to get an X-Pro3 is to use that OVF, at least some of the time.
It’s definitely fun to use the OVF, especially for street photography. 😀