so i finally treated myself to the Fujifilm X-S20 last month after saving up forever. I live in the Pacific Northwest and with the rain finally picking up everything is getting super green and the mushrooms are everywhere right now. I really want to get into macro photography but I am feeling a bit stuck on which lens to actually buy.
My budget is strictly under one thousand dollars and I need to get it sorted before my trip to Olympic National Park in mid-November. I did some digging and everyone keeps pointing at the Fuji 80mm f/2.8 but honestly it looks like a massive brick and is right at the edge of my budget even used. Then there is that new 30mm f/2.8 macro which is much cheaper and lighter but I saw a review saying the working distance is so short that you practically bump into your subject. If I'm trying to shoot a spider or a bug is it just gonna fly away because I'm two inches from its face?
I also keep seeing people mention the Laowa 65mm 2x macro. It sounds amazing for the price but the lack of autofocus and electronic contacts has me a bit worried since I'm still learning the X-S20 system. Does the IBIS in the camera body make the 80mm OIS redundant or do they actually work together to make things steadier? I just want something that isnt going to break my back on a 5 mile hike but still gives me that wow factor for tiny details. Kinda stuck between going for the expensive pro choice or something more compact...
I just saw this and had to jump in! Last autumn I went through a massive macro phase shooting mushrooms near Mt. Hood and it was amazing! You definitely dont need that heavy 80mm brick for a hike. My choice was the Zeiss Touit 50mm f/2.8M Macro and honestly its been a total game changer for my X-mount setup. Here is why I love it:
- The weight is fantastic, it wont weigh you down on those 5 mile trails at all.
- You get full autofocus and electronic contacts which makes the X-S20 feel way more intuitive than a manual lens.
- The image quality is super sharp, like, crazy detail on those tiny gills under the mushrooms! It usually goes for around 600 or 700 dollars so well within your budget. Sometimes I use a Godox V1 Flash for Fujifilm with a tiny diffuser to really make the details pop when its gloomy out in the PNW. You're gonna have a blast in Olympic!
I remember hiking through the Hoh Rainforest a few years back with a heavy setup and my neck was basically useless by mile three. You really gotta be careful with those heavy pro lenses like the Fujifilm XF 80mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR Macro. It is a total beast for image quality, but it might make your X-S20 feel way too front-heavy on a long trek through the woods. Heres what I would suggest considering for your budget and safety:
- Make sure to look at the Fujifilm XF 60mm f/2.4 R Macro. Its an older lens and only does 1:2 magnification, but you can find it used for super cheap. It is light enough that you wont even feel it in your bag during those five miles.
- Be careful with the Fujifilm XF 30mm f/2.8 R LM WR Macro because the working distance is tiny. I tried it on some shelf fungi once and kept bumping my lens hood into the bark. Youll likely shadow your bugs too if you aren't careful with your lighting.
- If you go with the Laowa 65mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO, just know that the lack of electronic contacts means your camera wont record your aperture settings. I did a whole series once and had no idea how to recreate the look later because I didnt take manual notes... huge headache. Honestly, for mushrooms in the PNW, a used 60mm and a small travel tripod will save you hundreds of dollars. The IBIS and OIS do work together on the 80mm, but at high magnification, even the best stabilization wont save you from a slight breeze or shaky hands. Better to save your cash for a good rain cover for your gear since Olympic is gonna be soaking wet in November.
I was in your exact shoes last year trying to find something that wouldnt ruin my back during long walks. I ended up picking up a Fujifilm XF 60mm f/2.4 R Macro and honestly ive been super satisfied with it. Its way more compact than that 80mm monster. The main catch is it only goes to 0.5x magnification natively, but I just carry a Fujifilm MCEX-11 Extension Tube in my pocket for when i find a cool mushroom. Regarding the IBIS, it works with OIS for better shots, but the X-S20 body stabilization is so good you dont strictly need both. I remember one time i was crouched over some wet moss for twenty minutes and my arms didnt even get tired. The 60mm is a bit slower at focusing, but for plants it works well. Its a killer setup that leaves money in your pocket for your trip.
Honestly, the whole macro market is such a massive letdown lately. You pay almost a grand and these lenses still feel like theyll shatter if you breathe on them wrong. Taking a weather sealed lens out to the rainforest last year was a total disaster since it fogged up internally within an hour. its ridiculous that we have to worry about gear failing in the exact conditions its supposed to handle. Basically a scam.
