Totally agree with all your comments. This is an amazing lens that can do a hell of a lot for not very much cost. It has basically replaced the 27mm “pancake” as my always on a camera body, ready to pick up and shoot at home or walk out the door with type lens. It and my two 27mm copies now act as body caps. 😊 Reminds me of the pancake but sharper with essentially no minimum focus distance. Good luck with your XF body decision. I own all three X-H2, X-H2S and X-T5 bodies because I like to collect Fuji bodies. All three will have a use case for your need to have more better video options, but some are better than others. I have a thing for stacked sensors so I do gravitate towards the X-H2S more than the other two, but I do enjoy using all three bodies a lot. High iso noise performance between the X-H2S vs 40mp bodies is not that much better but there seems pile there is visible stop difference sometimes with my basic video techniques and the camera is a bit snappier overall, probably due to the faster sensor which I like. I shoot Canon as well which could be argued is still better than Fuji for no fuss video production with essentially set and forget rock solid AF with the R3 or R6mk2; but I still get more overall joy shooting with the Fujis when I’m not in a rush and am prepared to do the work with finding my own preferred settings for video.
Glad you enjoyed the video and I appreciate you taking the time to comment! Well said on the 3 bodies. They each def have their own strong points. Curious - why do you get more overall joy out of the fujis vs Canon?
@@MikeBanom Don't get me wrong, I started my "serious" photography on a Canon EOS 100 film SLR and still enjoy shooting with Canon now, but I picked up an X-T3 on a whim with the kit zoom to be a light travel camera, and just loved the dials with the whole exposure triangle being front and centre. It really got me into shooting in full manual for the first time. I ignored the film simulations thinking they were just basic filters at first, but I started to really get into those too as they reminded me of shooting with film. After that I started collecting the Fuji primes and just got totally invested in the complete system. While the X-H2 series with the PASM dial have backed off a bit from the having the exposure triangle in the dials, there is still just something there that makes me enjoy the process of taking photos a little more than with the Canons. To their credit though, Canon have done an excellent job with the consistency of overall handling, menus etc so that their cameras still just work, and still have great colours and image quality. When I pick up any Canon , the muscle memory always comes back so I still have some Canon gear because I can't walk away from it. I'm not a professional, just a cashed up hobbyist who is lucky enough to be able to enjoy a couple of different systems at the same time.
0:57 Minimum focus distance is measured from the sensor plane, which is inside the camera, so it can easily describe subjects touching the lens front element
Damn the street shots are so good. I took this lens out again today - I need to use it more lol. I love macro but it is "hard" to get it perfect. Great shots though man - always so amped on your pixel peeping addiction, just like me!! HAHA
One of the main reasons I make videos is to get you your fix bro! Hahahaha. It's a really cool lens! What specifically do you find hard about macro? Like what is the biggest challenge for you?
Probably should also mention that the 43mm filter thread was included to directly accommodate the Raynox 250 magnifier which will take this beyond 1:1 with autofocus.
I'm not sure fuji gave that lens a 43mm filter thread with the full idea of making it compatible with the Raynox… however, i am kicking myself hard because I have the Raynox and I wish I added it into the video!
If you had an X-H2 and were about to buy a dedicated macro lens for the XF system and already had the XF 33mm F1.4 and didn't need another lens in that focal range, would you go for the 30mm macro or the 80mm macro? I'm currently leaning towards the 80mm macro because it can also be used as a small telephoto, but I have reservations because it's one of Fuji's older lenses. For example, it has no locking mechanism for the aperture ring and is also relatively large and heavy. It is surprisingly just as big and even a bit heavier than the Canon RF 100mm F2.8 Macro for full frame. And I actually switched to APS-C so that everything is smaller and lighter.
Funny story - I do have an XH2 😬. I think in short I really wish I had a need/use for the XF30 macro, but I shoot GFX for photo, XF is just video for me these days. However that being said - the XF80 macro is an absolutely INSANE lens. I'd Highly recommend it. It might be the best lens fuji made on the XF. Its insanely sharp. Like Insanely sharp, but also has killer bokeh. Great stabilization. I really dont have anything negative to say about it.
@@MikeBanom Portraits - I have the 56mm F1.7 TTArtisan, I had the Fujifilm 23mm F2.8. I liked the portability for travel pictures but ended returning because the autofocus was terrible on close distance for the food pictures I usually take when I go to try new restaurants.
@@DarklvlAge Not this XF30 macro would be ideal for portraits, but also, it might not be horrible. For food i could see this being AWESOME! XF23 f2 better for portraits for sure. I have a link in the description if you want to grab the XF30 😇 I REALLY enjoyed the XF30. I shoot GFX, but of all the newer XF glass i have tried, the XF18 1.4 and XF30 macro really really impressed me. I'd love to have a need for the XF30. Its a killer lens.
@@MikeBanom Thanks for input. I ended up getting the 30mm macro to test out. Does your 30mm macro have this weird zoom scope thing inside move around when you roll the lens upside down? Is this normal?
@@MikeBanom You should be at f/8 or so to give better depth of field without hurting sharpness due to refraction that comes from too small of an aperture.
what does this lens can't do you ask? have a flat plane of focus...it has pretty bad field curvature particularly mid-frame which is disappointing for a macro lens.
This is the Fujifilm greedflation lens. It is way overpriced compared to similar lenses in other systems and have got me regretting going with Fuji. 45% overpriced at least.
![ILLSLICK - THE KING'S LANDING [Freestyle]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/feIJJnNkTfk/mqdefault.jpg)
Totally agree with all your comments. This is an amazing lens that can do a hell of a lot for not very much cost. It has basically replaced the 27mm “pancake” as my always on a camera body, ready to pick up and shoot at home or walk out the door with type lens. It and my two 27mm copies now act as body caps. 😊 Reminds me of the pancake but sharper with essentially no minimum focus distance. Good luck with your XF body decision. I own all three X-H2, X-H2S and X-T5 bodies because I like to collect Fuji bodies. All three will have a use case for your need to have more better video options, but some are better than others. I have a thing for stacked sensors so I do gravitate towards the X-H2S more than the other two, but I do enjoy using all three bodies a lot. High iso noise performance between the X-H2S vs 40mp bodies is not that much better but there seems pile there is visible stop difference sometimes with my basic video techniques and the camera is a bit snappier overall, probably due to the faster sensor which I like. I shoot Canon as well which could be argued is still better than Fuji for no fuss video production with essentially set and forget rock solid AF with the R3 or R6mk2; but I still get more overall joy shooting with the Fujis when I’m not in a rush and am prepared to do the work with finding my own preferred settings for video.
Glad you enjoyed the video and I appreciate you taking the time to comment! Well said on the 3 bodies. They each def have their own strong points. Curious - why do you get more overall joy out of the fujis vs Canon?
@@MikeBanom Don't get me wrong, I started my "serious" photography on a Canon EOS 100 film SLR and still enjoy shooting with Canon now, but I picked up an X-T3 on a whim with the kit zoom to be a light travel camera, and just loved the dials with the whole exposure triangle being front and centre. It really got me into shooting in full manual for the first time. I ignored the film simulations thinking they were just basic filters at first, but I started to really get into those too as they reminded me of shooting with film. After that I started collecting the Fuji primes and just got totally invested in the complete system. While the X-H2 series with the PASM dial have backed off a bit from the having the exposure triangle in the dials, there is still just something there that makes me enjoy the process of taking photos a little more than with the Canons. To their credit though, Canon have done an excellent job with the consistency of overall handling, menus etc so that their cameras still just work, and still have great colours and image quality. When I pick up any Canon , the muscle memory always comes back so I still have some Canon gear because I can't walk away from it. I'm not a professional, just a cashed up hobbyist who is lucky enough to be able to enjoy a couple of different systems at the same time.
@@dennisplester1542 Thanks so much for elaborating! Really enjoyed reading your story!
@@MikeBanom You're welcome. With the X-S20 announcement you potentially have four bodies to think about now...
@@dennisplester1542 Video wise it would work, but ultimately I would really like 40mp, so theres a bit of a spoiler alert. lol
0:57 Minimum focus distance is measured from the sensor plane, which is inside the camera, so it can easily describe subjects touching the lens front element
Very interesting!
Really interesting review, Mike! This lens is so fascinating!
Thanks so much Hugo! It truly is an awesome lens!! I can’t fake that excitement. Def give it a shot if you don’t own it already!
Damn the street shots are so good. I took this lens out again today - I need to use it more lol. I love macro but it is "hard" to get it perfect. Great shots though man - always so amped on your pixel peeping addiction, just like me!! HAHA
One of the main reasons I make videos is to get you your fix bro! Hahahaha. It's a really cool lens! What specifically do you find hard about macro? Like what is the biggest challenge for you?
Probably should also mention that the 43mm filter thread was included to directly accommodate the Raynox 250 magnifier which will take this beyond 1:1 with autofocus.
I'm not sure fuji gave that lens a 43mm filter thread with the full idea of making it compatible with the Raynox… however, i am kicking myself hard because I have the Raynox and I wish I added it into the video!
If you had an X-H2 and were about to buy a dedicated macro lens for the XF system and already had the XF 33mm F1.4 and didn't need another lens in that focal range, would you go for the 30mm macro or the 80mm macro? I'm currently leaning towards the 80mm macro because it can also be used as a small telephoto, but I have reservations because it's one of Fuji's older lenses. For example, it has no locking mechanism for the aperture ring and is also relatively large and heavy. It is surprisingly just as big and even a bit heavier than the Canon RF 100mm F2.8 Macro for full frame. And I actually switched to APS-C so that everything is smaller and lighter.
Funny story - I do have an XH2 😬. I think in short I really wish I had a need/use for the XF30 macro, but I shoot GFX for photo, XF is just video for me these days. However that being said - the XF80 macro is an absolutely INSANE lens. I'd Highly recommend it. It might be the best lens fuji made on the XF. Its insanely sharp. Like Insanely sharp, but also has killer bokeh. Great stabilization. I really dont have anything negative to say about it.
@@MikeBanom Thank you very much, I think I will give the 80mm macro a try.
If you were to choose Fujifilm 23mm F2 vs this 30mm F2.8, which one would you choose? I can't decide..
What do you typically shoot?
@@MikeBanom Portraits - I have the 56mm F1.7 TTArtisan, I had the Fujifilm 23mm F2.8. I liked the portability for travel pictures but ended returning because the autofocus was terrible on close distance for the food pictures I usually take when I go to try new restaurants.
@@DarklvlAge Not this XF30 macro would be ideal for portraits, but also, it might not be horrible. For food i could see this being AWESOME! XF23 f2 better for portraits for sure. I have a link in the description if you want to grab the XF30 😇
I REALLY enjoyed the XF30. I shoot GFX, but of all the newer XF glass i have tried, the XF18 1.4 and XF30 macro really really impressed me. I'd love to have a need for the XF30. Its a killer lens.
@@MikeBanom Thanks for input. I ended up getting the 30mm macro to test out. Does your 30mm macro have this weird zoom scope thing inside move around when you roll the lens upside down? Is this normal?
@@DarklvlAge I just had this lens for a few weeks from Fuji - sorry I dont remember.
I noticed you have a GF50mm - are you going to make a video about it? I'm very interested to know how it compares to the GF45mm
Funny you bring that up… I have had content for that for some time. I'll add it to the queue!
@@MikeBanom ah, great to hear that! Looking forward to watch it soon
I would have bought this lens but i also like the odd bee on a flower type of macro photography and the mfd isnt going to give me that unfortunately!
It’s a really fun lens if you have a need!
Why are you shooting macro at f/2.8?
🤷♂️
@@MikeBanom
You should be at f/8 or so to give better depth of field without hurting sharpness due to refraction that comes from too small of an aperture.
@@powbobs Unfortunately alot of the time i ended up taking out this camera it was cloudy. Cant win them all dude.
@@MikeBanom
You should also use a diffuser and a flash.
@@powbobs Not my thing.
what does this lens can't do you ask? have a flat plane of focus...it has pretty bad field curvature particularly mid-frame which is disappointing for a macro lens.
🤯 this is a bit beyond my technical comprehension sir.
This is the Fujifilm greedflation lens. It is way overpriced compared to similar lenses in other systems and have got me regretting going with Fuji. 45% overpriced at least.
What native glass would you buy instead?
@@MikeBanomwhen people cry for no actual reason. This is it. Do your homework mister! Don’t listen to that guy!