Fujifilm XF80 mm F2.8 R LM Optical Image Stabiliser, Weather Resistant Macro Lens

Product Information

The XF80mm f/2.8 is at the very top of the line in image quality for the X-series. When shooting and looking at my files there have been times when I thought it was a GFX image, when in reality it was an X series image. This is mostly plastic on the outside with a metal mount and aperture ring. Internals are metal and plastic.

The image quality of this 80mm lens is exceptional, with sharpness being perfect even at full aperture. At f/2.8, the edges and corners may be slightly behind, but they become flawless at f/8, resulting in completely uniform image sharpness. However, starting from f/11, diffraction gradually lowers the image quality. At full aperture, vignetting may occur, but this will not be an issue in macro photography, where a smaller aperture is often used to maximize the depth of field. Distortion is non-existent. For less money, the B+W 62mm 010 is an excellent filter, as are the multicoated version and the basic multicoated Hoya filters, but the Hoya HD3 is the toughest and the best. However at f/8 and f/11, the 90mm once again loses ground to the 80mm, albeit by a very small amount. The OIS element inside the lens is loose when the camera is powered off, so an audible thunk is heard when moving the lens around, by design. Since telephoto lenses can also be used for sports and landscape work, let’s take a look at how they perform at a longer distance as well. Keep in mind that the 90mm examples are more magnified than those from the 80mm because I took them from the exactIf this 1,200×900 pixel crop is about 12" (30cm) wide on your screen, then the complete image printed at this same extreme magnification would be about 42 × 62" (3.5 × 5.2 feet or 1.05 × 1.6 meters).

I already wrote a comprehensive guide on how to choose a macro lens, so I won’t go over everything here. However, here are a few key things to keep in mind: Super ED super extra-low dispersion element, which helps reduce secondary axial chromatic aberration even more.

Fujinon lenses are known for their image quality, and the XF 80mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR lives up to those image quality expectations. Fujinon lenses are also known for their inconsistent aperture ring tightness. Some are too tight, some are just right and some are too loose. To me, the aperture ring on the XF 80mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR is way too loose. I think it’s the loosest of all the Fujinon lenses I’ve experienced. The X-E3 is the first X Series model to feature Bluetooth® low energy wireless communication. Providing photographers with enhanced connectivity, this feature offers the ability to pair the camera with a smartphone or tablet for easy transfer of pictures via the free FUJIFILM Camera Remote application. As expected, the only difference at f/8 is that the out-of-focus parts, which are most of this image, aren't quite as far out of focus. This is simply the laws of physics and this lens is performing flawlessly: Fujinon XF 80mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR Macro distortion: SMIA Tv = 0.1% Why buy the Fujinon XF 80mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR Macro? The fast and precise focus engine is quite handy when trying to capture live insects in the field, and I got waaaaaaay more keepers with the XF80mm f/2.8 than I usually get with my XF60mm f/2.4.

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). Disclaimer II: I’m an official X-photographer. My views are most likely as biased as they come. This being said, I’m an open and honest guy and I speak my opinions. Whether you believe my views of this lens or not, at least you get to see some images from Denmark 😛

Autofocus and manual focus performance

With these considerations in mind, it’s time to take a look at how Fujifilm’s latest macro prime, the XF 80mm f/2.8, stands up against one of its best telephoto portrait offerings, the XF 90mm f/2, with a specific focus on their characteristics for portrait work. The XF 80mm f/2.8 focuses in two groups. The front focus group and rear focus group. The focus group in use is dependent on distance from subject. Hence you also have a focus limiter switch on the barrel. You can focus full range, from 0,25 – 0,5m and from 0,5m – infinity. The focus groups are held in place and move relative to each other using small ceramic balls in a slide. This ensures that they always focus without any focus shift. Fujifilm also include optical image stabilisation which I found fantastic for added stability when shooting freehand closeups and portraits where I had to dial down the aperture for added DOF. X-Pro2 – XF80mm f/2.8 + TC-1.4x I tested this lens handheld in the field as well as on a tripod in my home-studio and the results were incredible. On one hand, macro lenses make great portrait lens substitutes. Not only do they render lots of sharp details but they also tend to offer similar focal lengths to those considered ideal for portrait work.