Fujifilm Fujinon XF FUJIFILM XF 30mm f/2.8 R LM WR Macro Lens Review

The Fujifilm XF 30mm f/2.8 Macro is a 1:1 macro lens that doubles as a 45mm equivalent prime. Its build quality is its standout feature, landing in the 93rd percentile. That means it feels more solid than almost any other lens in its class. For macro work specifically, it scores a 76.8 out of 100, putting it in the 83rd percentile. That's a strong showing for a lens that's also trying to be a general-purpose prime.

At 196 grams, it's incredibly light, which is great for handheld macro shooting. The trade-off is that it's not weather-sealed, and it lacks image stabilization. With a maximum aperture of f/2.8, it's not the fastest lens out there, sitting around the middle of the pack for light gathering. This is a tool built for a specific job: getting you close to your subject.

Let's talk about what this lens does best: macro. That 83rd percentile ranking for macro performance is no joke. The 1:1 magnification ratio means you can fill the frame with tiny subjects, and the optical performance is solid, scoring in the 72nd percentile. You'll get sharp, detailed close-ups. The autofocus, however, lands in the 47th percentile. It's not slow, but it's not the snappiest either, especially when hunting for focus at the minimum focusing distance of 100mm.

For other uses, the story is mixed. Its bokeh quality is average, scoring in the 59th percentile, which is fine for a macro lens but not exceptional for portraits. As a street photography lens, it scores a 71.1 out of 100. The 45mm equivalent focal length is a classic choice, but the f/2.8 aperture can be a limitation in low light compared to faster primes.

At $699, this lens asks a lot. You're paying a premium for the Fujifilm brand and that top-tier build quality. Competitors like the Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 or Meike 55mm f/1.8 offer faster apertures for significantly less money, but they don't have 1:1 macro. If macro photography is your primary goal, the value proposition shifts. You're getting a dedicated, high-quality macro tool that also works as a decent prime. If macro is just an occasional interest, the price feels steep for what is otherwise a competent but not spectacular standard prime lens.

Compared directly to the Viltrox 35mm f/1.7, you're giving up over a stop of light (f/1.7 vs. f/2.8) and paying more, but you gain true 1:1 macro and much better build quality. The Meike 55mm f/1.8 is another alternative; its longer focal length gives more background compression, and it's also faster, but again, no macro. For a Fujifilm shooter who wants an all-in-one walkaround lens with macro capability, the XF 30mm f/2.8 is unique. But if you rarely shoot macro, a faster standard prime like the Viltrox or even Fuji's own XF 35mm f/2 will give you better performance in more common shooting scenarios for less cash.

This lens is a specialist with good manners. Its macro performance is genuinely great, and the build is fantastic. But the average autofocus, lack of stabilization, and f/2.8 aperture hold it back as an everyday lens. I'd only recommend it if 1:1 macro photography is a core part of your work. For that shooter, it's a brilliant, lightweight tool. For everyone else, a faster, cheaper prime will likely serve you better 90% of the time. The data shows it's a top-tier macro lens that's just okay at everything else.