Handling and Features
Performance
Verdict
Specification

Macro lenses slightly longer than the standard for a format have always been popular, largely for the increased working distance that enables the subject to receive better lighting, without the lens getting in the way. As such, in 35mm format terms, the 100mm lens has reached almost universal acceptance as the best compromise. Fuji now has a new macro lens for their APS-C format X series cameras, an 80mm f/2.8. This has a “35mm format equivalent” of 120mm (actually 122mm), which is relatively unusual. There have been 120mm lenses in the days of manual focus film SLRs, but not for many years. So here we have the new Fujinon 80mm f/2.8 Macro, let's put it to the test using the Fujifilm X-T2 body provided for this review.

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Fujifilm Fujinon XF 80mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR Macro Handling and Features

First impression is of a chunky, well-made lens that weighs in at a fairly hefty 750g. Lifting and examining the optic we are treated to a quite dramatic clunking sound from within, clearly something connected to the OIS system. If we place the lens down again close to any ferrous metal objects, provided they are quite small they will promptly attach themselves to the lens barrel. Hair grips do this quite effectively, indicating that the lens has quite a strong magnetic field. This was confirmed using a compass, which reacts to the lens from a few centimetres away. The expectation is that such strong magnets could lead to an impressive OIS performance.

Our tour of the lens starts at the generously sized round lens hood. It bayonets cleanly and precisely into place and is very unlikely to come adrift accidentally. Within the bayonet fitting for the lenshood is a 62mm filter thread. The front element has been given a fluorine coating to repel dust, dirt and moisture. The rest of the lens elements are coated with Fuji's EBC (Electron Beam Coating) to suppress flare and improve contrast.

Moving towards the camera body we find the wide electronic focusing ring. This remains active during AF, enabling fine tweaks to be made, especially useful for macro photography. Focusing is down to 0.25m, a maximum magnification of 1.0x, 1:1 or life-size.

Next up is the generously sized aperture control ring. There is an A setting that enables apertures to be set by the camera body, or the ring can be used to set values with one-third of a stop detents. The ring is quite firm in operation but very smooth and the click stops are definite but verging on being slightly too indistinct. In practice, the aperture ring was used rather than the camera and this seemed to work well with the rest of the camera/lens ergonomics. Unfortunately, there is no distance scale, and therefore no depth of field scale either. This is particularly a pity with a macro lens.

Closest to the camera body are two switches. The first is the OIS (Optical Image Stabilisation) on/off. The second is the focus limiter, which gives three options, full, 0.5m – infinity and 0.25m to 0.5m.

Optical construction is 16 elements in 12 groups. There are 1 Aspherical, 3 ED (Extra Low Dispersion) and 1 Super ED elements. The diaphragm has 9 blades to improve the bokeh of the lens. The whole lens is weather and dust resistant.

As mentioned, longer macro lenses are very useful. We don't have to approach sensitive subjects such as insects quite so closely and room is left for lighting. If this 80mm is not long enough, the lens is compatible with Fuji's range of teleconverters. XF 1.4XTC WR gives us 112mm f/4 (35mm format equivalent 171mm f/4). XF 2XTC WR gives us 160mm f/5.6 (35mm format equivalent 244mm f/5.6).

The lens is fantastic to use, having fast, responsive AF and a great feel to the controls. The layout balances perfectly with the camera body.

Fujifilm Fujinon XF 80mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR Macro Performance

Looking at central sharpness first, we find the results are excellent at f/2.8, becoming outstanding at f/4 and maintain an excellent level from f/5.6 to f/16. Sharpness is still very good at f/22.

Edge sharpness follows an identical pattern, excellent at f/2.8, outstanding at f/4, excellent from f/5.6 to f/16 and very good at f/22. Figures throughout are very close to the centre values, showing excellent edge to edge consistency.

Fujifilm Fujinon XF 80mm f/2.8 R LM OIS 1:1 Macro MTF Charts

CA (Chromatic Aberration) is all but banished at the centre, and the edges are not far behind. Even though further correction could be achieved in software, it seems unlikely that it would be needed.

Fujifilm Fujinon XF 80mm f/2.8 R LM OIS 1:1 Macro Chromatic Aberration Charts

The lens is rectilinear. It is possible to measure +0.01% pincushion distortion, but that is quibbling in the extreme.

Flare control is absolute as well, there being no circumstances that could be found where it became a problem. The internal baffling, coatings and general design do an excellent job and contrast is well maintained in the most severe lighting conditions.

The bokeh of the lens, the quality of the out of focus areas, is beautiful. This makes it an ideal portrait lens, and one that can approach closely enough for really tight headshots.

Fuji claims a 5 stop advantage for their OIS system and tests indicate that this is realistic. Razor sharp images could be achieved at ridiculously low shutter speeds. However, for precise framing and some static subjects, switching the OIS off and using a tripod is still a useful technique. It is also true that OIS will do nothing for subject movement, such as wildlife.

Fujifilm Fujinon XF 80mm f/2.8 R LM OIS 1:1 Macro Sample Photos

Fujifilm Fujinon XF 80mm f/2.8 R LM OIS 1:1 Macro Other sample images

Fujifilm Fujinon XF 80mm f/2.8 R LM OIS 1:1 Macro Aperture range

Value For Money

The Fujinon XF 80mm f/2.8 Macro lens is priced at £1249. It may well be that its quality of construction and performance dictate such a high price, but let's look at the rest of the market and see what lenses might do similar jobs. Within the Fuji X range, there is also the 60mm f/2.4R Macro at £579.

Looking at APS-C format lenses, there are only a couple of lenses that specifically offer only this coverage.

Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro VC, £539
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/3.5 ED VR DX Micro, £459

There are a mass of full frame, 35mm format optics, such as

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro, £419
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM, £799
Sigma 105mm f/2.8 Macro EX DG OS HSM, £328
Samyang 100mm f/2.8 ED UMC Macro, £349
Tokina 100mm f/2.8 AT-X Macro, £349
Sony 100mm f/2.8 D Macro, £669
SMC Pentax-D FA 100mm f/2.8 Macro WR, £529
Meike 85mm f/2.8 Macro, £265

For more options have a look at the Top 10 Best Fujifilm Lenses, or the Top 13 Best Macro Lenses.

Fujifilm Fujinon XF 80mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR Macro Verdict

There is no doubt that the Fujinon 80mm f/2.8 Macro is a superb lens, but then so it should be as it is priced considerably above the rest of the market. Unfortunately for Fuji X users, there are limited options, but other marques have all sorts of fine macro lenses available to them. It is hard to find a bad macro lens where they all aspire to excellence, being a flagship optic for most marques.

It's always a dilemma, but in summary, the lens is outstanding but the price is very high. It will serve those who take the plunge and buy it very well and looks likely to last for many years of hard service.

The Fujinon XF 80mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR Macro is an outstanding macro lens, albeit it at a very high price.

Fujifilm Fujinon XF 80mm f/2.8 R LM OIS 1:1 Macro Specifications

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