I shoot the XF80 on the X-T4 and have found the same thing. Adding a cage made a huge difference for handheld macro work - doubly so when you add a flash and a macro diffuser.
Thanks for the review. All I have to say is: If you intend to use it for freehand photography, there is no way around a grip or cage. At least on an X-T5 without an extra grip, it is simply not handy and ergonomic. The lens is so heavy and you notice it quite quickly when you walk around with it. But it takes fantastic photos, whether macro, landscape, astro or portrait.
I have been looking for macro equipment for my X-S20. The XF 80 is very good but was put off by the weight, the clunking noise and the cost. Some reviews mentioned that there was a lot of focus breathing and thought that may affect focus stacking if the images were produced by the built in focus bracketing. I hadn't seen any reviews of this and I felt a bit concerned about it. On looking at reviews of macro systems I decided to go for the Laowa 65mm macro lens. Selecting the flash was harder because I thought that the Godox V1 would be the best flash to get, but was again concerned about the weight and decided to go for the Godox V350. I will be getting the Cygnustech diffuser. I use the X-S20 with the 70-300mm lens and the 1.4X teleconverter for general wildlife photography and carried that setup with a backpack on a 7 mile walk and noticed the weight at the end. A small lightweight setup is what I like, especially if I will be using it for several hours. Your tips about buying things from eBay were very useful, thank you.
Such a great video! Informative coverage of the lens and useful tips (in plain language) for us who are new in the world of macro photography. As a hobbyist who is not making any money of my photos, this is indeed a big investment. Especially since the lens is a bit old (not necessarily dated) and the competition is getting bigger for this lens. This could explain the second hand price drops? Definitely looking out for your new videos! 🙌
@@JackieDElia yes. I saw his review. I’d like your review as well. Maybe one day. I sold my 50-140mm & 16mm 1.4 for the Nikon Plena 135mm 1.8. My fuji will be for macro photography only.
I've had my XF80 for about a month. Lots of fun so far, totally new to macro and its pretty interesting. The lens reminds me of a Gfx lens in build and IQ. All linear motor lenses clunk except for the GF100-200, it has some sort of locking feature. Anxious to see your XT5 focus stack video, I've been too lazy to learn the technique.
All Fuji lenses with an "LM" in it's name is going to make a little noise. It's the Linear Motor. Nothing is loose. That's what the LM in the name of the lens stands for. I will bet the lens you shook that made no noise does not have LM in it's name.
One additional note, I found using a cage on my X-T5 helps balance the weight of the 80mm macro - making it easier to shoot macro handheld.
I shoot the XF80 on the X-T4 and have found the same thing. Adding a cage made a huge difference for handheld macro work - doubly so when you add a flash and a macro diffuser.
Yes, anything to balance out that heavy lens definitely helps
Thanks for the review.
All I have to say is: If you intend to use it for freehand photography, there is no way around a grip or cage. At least on an X-T5 without an extra grip, it is simply not handy and ergonomic.
The lens is so heavy and you notice it quite quickly when you walk around with it.
But it takes fantastic photos, whether macro, landscape, astro or portrait.
I have been looking for macro equipment for my X-S20. The XF 80 is very good but was put off by the weight, the clunking noise and the cost. Some reviews mentioned that there was a lot of focus breathing and thought that may affect focus stacking if the images were produced by the built in focus bracketing. I hadn't seen any reviews of this and I felt a bit concerned about it.
On looking at reviews of macro systems I decided to go for the Laowa 65mm macro lens. Selecting the flash was harder because I thought that the Godox V1 would be the best flash to get, but was again concerned about the weight and decided to go for the Godox V350. I will be getting the Cygnustech diffuser.
I use the X-S20 with the 70-300mm lens and the 1.4X teleconverter for general wildlife photography and carried that setup with a backpack on a 7 mile walk and noticed the weight at the end. A small lightweight setup is what I like, especially if I will be using it for several hours.
Your tips about buying things from eBay were very useful, thank you.
Thanks for watching and sharing your setup. 😀
Such a great video! Informative coverage of the lens and useful tips (in plain language) for us who are new in the world of macro photography.
As a hobbyist who is not making any money of my photos, this is indeed a big investment. Especially since the lens is a bit old (not necessarily dated) and the competition is getting bigger for this lens. This could explain the second hand price drops?
Definitely looking out for your new videos! 🙌
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching. Completely agree on the lens and why I bought one second hand.
im going for the 30mm 2.8 macro, did you review that lens too?
No, I didn’t. But I do know that @pal2tech reviewed it so you might want to check his channel.
@@JackieDElia yes. I saw his review. I’d like your review as well. Maybe one day.
I sold my 50-140mm & 16mm 1.4 for the Nikon Plena 135mm 1.8. My fuji will be for macro photography only.
Amazing review as always! And thanks for the eBay tips
Thank you so much for watching.
I've had my XF80 for about a month. Lots of fun so far, totally new to macro and its pretty interesting. The lens reminds me of a Gfx lens in build and IQ. All linear motor lenses clunk except for the GF100-200, it has some sort of locking feature. Anxious to see your XT5 focus stack video, I've been too lazy to learn the technique.
Thanks for watching. I’ve never held a GFX lens, good to hear.
Great info, thanks so much! Best thing, is you don't talk at 1,000 miles an hour like other tubers. (hint hint fellas!!) Cheers!
All Fuji lenses with an "LM" in it's name is going to make a little noise. It's the Linear Motor. Nothing is loose. That's what the LM in the name of the lens stands for. I will bet the lens you shook that made no noise does not have LM in it's name.
Yes, all LM do make some noise, the 80mm just makes more.