Macro lens: 60mm macro or MCEX+lens

[adl]

I just need a macro lens for my XT1, and tempted to buy an MCEX 11 or 16 to use with my fujinon 35mm.

Someone has already it and post some comments?

[Maurice]

You can get close with a 35 and MCEX11 alright, but you can ONLY get close. The focusing range is very limited, and the focal length is not ideal. With insects it means they will fly away because you need to get too close, and for other things it often means you will be in your own shadow. The 60mm allows you to keep some distance, it is a much more useful focal length for Macro, and it is of course a multipurpose lens that you can use for many other things, it is quite stunning for portraits, and no need to remove any adapter before you can focus to infinity again. There is just no comparison, you do get what you pay for.

[KwyjiboVanDeKamp]

Maybe the Samyang 100mm f/2.8 Macro is something for you. http://www.syopt.com/en/camera/photo-lenses-100mm-F2.8-ED-UMC-MACRO.php

Notice that this is a full frame lens so you are getting the best out of it.

[milandro]

I have owned the 60mm for a long time already and I would buy it again especially now that there are lots of them sold by all the people who replaced them, perhaps unwittingly, with the 56mm for portraits use.

 

Only one recommendation. If you buy the 60mm, get yourself a  39mm UV or other filter where you can take (or not) the filter away ( you need the filter in between if you use an adapter directly this will interfere with the autofocus), and then place an adapter ring 39-52mm on the filter, then buy a 52mm lens hood as the cylindrical ones sold for 35mm and put the original enormous lens hood away.

 

The lens hood of the 60mm has to be the single most awkward piece of kit that I own. Once I replaced it using this lens has got that much easier and enjoyable!

 

 

 

In my, perhaps not so humble opinion, I would never voluntarily choose to discard the autofocus capabilities of a macro-portrait lens, albeit with some peculiarities which probably will be even more improved by the latest software addition, to favor a lens that was not made specifically to fit a system unless there would be a very good proven ( by a one on one comparative test)  reasons for it.

[aceflibble]

Not used the 35mm with an extension tube myself, but to pass on what Fuji staff have told me, the extension tubes are good if you only do occasional macro, but the 60mm still does it a little better if you are doing macro more frequently. I would imagine that's more due to the longer focal length and working distance than actual resolving power.