In news that will be music to the ears of close-up photographers, Fujifilm has announced that it's bolstering its macro lens lineup with the addition of the XF80mm f/2.8 R LM OIS Macro.
Until now, those wanting to shoot close-up images with an X Series camera have had to make do with the ageing 0.5x XF60mm f/2.4 R Macro – one of the first three lenses launched with the original Fujifilm X-Pro1.
With a focal length equivalent to 122mm (on a 35mm format) and a maximum aperture of f/2.8, the XF80mm f/2.8 R LM OIS Macro lens is the first Fujifilm lens to offer a 1.0x magnification factor
Fujifilm says the new lens will deliver beautiful bokeh, and also promises fast and silent autofocus thanks to the use of linear motors.
It should also produce great results when you're shooting handheld thanks to the Optical Image Stabilizer system suppressing camera shake by up to five stops. The lens is weather- and dust-resistant.
The XF80mm f/2.8 R LM OIS Macro will be available in November priced at £1,249 in the UK and AU$1,899 in Australia. US pricing is yet to be confirmed.
New lens roadmap
Fujifilm has also unveiled the latest development roadmap for its X Mount lenses, with plans to develop an ultra wide-angle XF8-16mm f/2.8 R LM WR zoom lens and an XF200mm f/2 R LM OIS WR prime telephoto lens. Both are scheduled for 2018, but otherwise no other information is forthcoming at the moment.
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GF45mm f/2.8 R WR
Fujifilm is also growing its GF lens series for its GFX 50S medium format mirrorless camera with the announcement of the GF45mm f/2.8 R WR lens.
The wide-angle optic sports a focal length equivalent to 36mm and maximum f/2.8 aperture, and weighs in at only 490g.
The lens is equipped with a Nano GI coating, promising a clear depiction performance with reduced ghosting and flare. It's weather- and dust-resistant, and can be used in temperatures as low as -10°C.
The XGF45mm f/2.8 R WR will be available in November, priced £1,699 in the UK; again US and Australia pricing are to be confirmed.
Phil Hall is an experienced writer and editor having worked on some of the largest photography magazines in the UK, and now edit the photography channel of TechRadar, the UK's biggest tech website and one of the largest in the world. He has also worked on numerous commercial projects, including working with manufacturers like Nikon and Fujifilm on bespoke printed and online camera guides, as well as writing technique blogs and copy for the John Lewis Technology guide.