Received this 7Artisans 60mm F2.8 1:1 Macro lens in Fuji XF mount directly from 7Artisans factory. Lens is sent for review purpose together with my recently purchased again 7Artisans 50mm F1.8 (I’ll update review of that lens with new impressions, since now I received well collimated sample). I don’t shoot Macro but like taking close-up pictures so was wondering if it’s reasonable to purchase 7Artisans 60mm F2.8.
I had Fuji XF 60mm F2.4 in the past but just didn’t use it much and sold. Having much more affordable 60mm F2.8 with true manual focus and Macro focusing range sounds interesting.
This 7Artisans 60mm lens has quite long focusing rotation of about 300 degrees. The optics is relatively small and short inside this long body, and like many other macro lens the increased dimensions are just fit much longer focusing distance goal.
I think it’s interesting design allowing to unscrew front part of lens core tube to make the lens smaller at closest focused distance.
It’s nice feature, though there are two thing with this approach I’d like to see a bit differently then 7Artisans designed: removable tube does not have filter thread, and connection thread is about 37mm wide so standard 39mm filters will not fit. However taking into account how far is front lens surface hidden inside body focused at infinity it’s not a big deal. Looks like lens doesn’t require hood : )
7Artisans manual also says this tube can be submerged for underwater pictures when fully extended, though reminding that lens is not waterproof. I don’t think I’ll risk the camera trying to make underwater shots outdoor, though with precise tripod movement I’ll probably take some indoor underwater test shots to see how it works.
F2.8 is delivering very narrow DOF at extreme close distance, so closing aperture and ideally using tripod is required. I’ve made couple random test shots indoor by putting camera on a table and increasing ISO to 3200 to make F8 shots.
7Artisans 60mm F2.8 @ F8 – closest focus distance
100% crop of above
7Artisans 60mm F2.8 @ F2.8 – closest focus distance
I was worrying a bit that movement of whole optical core is producing a lot of air flow inside camera chamber. Fortunately the lens is nicely ventilated – you’ll see that if remove detachable tube and focus at infinity. There is very long aperture transmission lever going through whole lens body length. Aperture is clickless, which is ok for macro work.
My sample has very smooth focusing and well dampened aperture ring rotation as well. The weight with small Fuji X-T30 is well balanced even when focused to minimal distance. I don’t have any issues with focusing at infinity, however have to note that focus rotation at far distance is extremely short and it takes extra effort to focus precisely.
Hopefully I’ll find more time over weekend to make more pictures with this lens and keep posting them to Flickr group of 7Artisans 60mm F2.8 1:1 Macro lens. I’ll also make partial disassembly to see if it’s easy to adjust infinity focus and maintain the mechanics.
Image Samples
100% crop of above
More images
Infinity focus calibration
I’ve discovered steps for precise infinity point calibration:
- Use rubber ring to unscrew CCW front naming metal plate.
- Use torx screwdriver to loosen four silver bolts, then reposition focus ring letting bolts heads slide right or left, check infinity focus with camera.
- Secure all four bolts, and screw in naming plate.
Check for more calibration details in the 7Artisans disassembly article
Frame sharpness
Following two shots are make at F2.8 and F4.0 apertures with Fuji X-T2, click to see full resolution.
7Artisans 60mm F2.8 @ F2.8
7Artisans 60mm F2.8 @ F4.0
It’s not very precise test shot, camera was laying down on a table and I didn’t check exact 90 angle. However it’s clearly visible that field sharpness variation at F2.8 in the borders/corners is close to what 7Artisans show at their MTF.
At F4.0 sharpness is very good even in borders/corners. During Macro shooting I’ve realized that it’s possible to use F2.8 for handhold shots if other hand is put on the surface near target and holding front lens tube for stability. I’ve often closed aperture to F5.6-F8 just to receive better DOF.
Brief conclusions
For distant shots sharpness is good wide open if you properly focus. As I mentioned before focus move for distant targets is extremely short so you need to be precise. For close targets focus rotation is pleasantly long and it’s very easy to focus in Macro mode. So looks like this lens work good in targeted area, and has expected limitations for other areas where much smaller non-macro 50-60mm lens would work better, e.g. my 7Artisans 50mm F1.8 is 3 times smaller and has faster aperture, so for all-purpose shots I’d use 50mm. For Macro this lens is definitely very usable and conveniently built – all parts are metal and focus is smooth. Looks like one of significant benefit is relatively large distance from lens end to macro object in 1:1 mode allowing better light conditions. I’ll keep shooting with this lens for few next weeks to discover weak/strong points by judging more intensive use and larger range of picture results.
More image, 2 weeks after review
Super Macro with TC and extra rings
(Jul 30 2019) I’ve tried 7Artisans 60mm f2.8 Macro together with Fuji XF 1.4x TC and 26mm extension rings set. Stone fossil target is about 1″ wide. It is highlighted by direct sunset rays.
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