Well, I was a very lucky girl at Christmas and look what Santa left me.
Did you guess it was a macro lens? This is the Fujifilm XF 80mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR Macro Lens.
I suppose the photos in the post are a big hint.
In the last year or so I had been loaned this lens a couple of times from Fujifilm so I was able to try it out. I knew I wanted it, but couldn’t justify it. I have the Nikon Macro and Nikon cameras to use it on. Was it worth buying a macro for the Fujifilm?
My husband kept saying why do you keep asking you know you will end up with it. I could have had it a while ago, but kept putting it off. However, when it came time to get something for Christmas I couldn’t think of anything, so I ended up saying okay I will have the macro lens now. It is rather expensive, so it is also my birthday present which is at the end of the week. One of the few times in my life I haven’t minded getting one present for both Christmas and my birthday.
I have already shown you some photos taken with it, remember the last Silent Sunday post?
I’ve been going out into the garden and taking photos with it. The weather hasn’t been fantastic for gardens so far this summer, but slowly things are starting to appear.
Here are a few flowers from out there.
There is a button on the side of the lens for you to work out the distance that you are taking photos from. I probably haven’t said that very well.
Look, I went out to take some photos and I noticed when I was up close I could focus on the flower, but if I stepped back it wouldn’t focus. The lens also wouldn’t focus on anything in the distance.
Initially, I thought, there was something wrong with the lens. I sent off a message to my friend at Fujifilm. Then I had a think and thought perhaps I should take a look a the lens, and see if there is something there. Well, there was. I noticed a button or slider on it. There are three settings for you to use depending on how far away you are from your subject. I felt so relieved that something wasn’t wrong with the lens.
One thing I have been taking lots of photos of is something that has grown in my garden. Let me show you.
I’m not going to tell you what they are, but I would love to hear what you think they are. So what do you think?
I love them. I will give the answer in my next post.
What do you think of my Christmas and Birthday present? It is one of the best presents I’ve had and definitely much better than some presents I’ve had over the years.
You probably already guessed that I will be doing lots of macro and close up flowers this year. I am constantly planting new flowers in the garden for this reason. I have so many different bits of to try with flower photography as well.
Now that everything is for the Fujifilm I need to start thinking what to do with my Lensbaby Velvet 56 and my macro lens for the Nikon. It might be time to put them up for sale.
Hey! Please check out my channel
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Much love
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Wonderful present! Super photos Leanne …
It was Julie, I know I will use it a lot. Thank you.
you truly do have an artist’s eye
What a lovely thing to say, thank you Brian.
Incredible photos .
Thank you Peter.
Looking forward to seeing lots of macro flower images in future. Happy Birthday in advance. It can be a pain when you have to buy someone a Christmas present and then a birthday one soon after. So I can understand when people might have gone for joint presents. My younger daughter has a birthday in a week’s time, so I know.
That’s good to hear RJ, I’ve been working hard on getting as many different flowers in my garden as I can. Thank you for the birthday wishes, it was yesterday and I had a great day. When I was growing up I hated it. All my uncles and aunties would do it, so I would get one present and all my cousins would get two. It isn’t nice to have a birthday with no presents and then watch your brothers get heaps and your cousins. I hated it so much. I don’t mind so much now, but that is more that I know I am getting two presents worth now. If that makes sense.
I quite understand. I have always bought my daughter two presents. The only one of my children who sometimes has a joint birthday and Christmas present is my son (whose birthday is in September) when he wants something really expensive.
My mum always did the same. It is sad to get to your birthday and there is nothing. I have also done the same for my girls if they want something really expensive, it is a good way to go and I did it for my last present too.
I love me some macro photography!
Me too Gina, thank you.
That’s an awesom Christmas present ! Lot’s of succes with it….
It was, thank you, I’m sure I will be sharing with you all.
Congrats on your new glass!! Beautiful photos!!
Thank you so much Nora.
This image caught my attention Thanks Anita
That’s wonderful Anita, thank you.
Isn’t that carrot flowers? Or is it parsley? They should attract hordes of beetles. Even more grist to the macro-lens mill. I like them in salads
You are right, they are carrot flowers, I’m tempted to plant them in the garden now just for the flowers. So do you like the carrots, the flowers or the beetles in your salad, perhaps all three?
Thank you.
In my photo-salad, all three. On the table, not the beetles 🙂
Hahaha, that’s what I thought. 😊😉
Lucky girl! Great present, Leanne. I think your white flower could be Yarrow.
Thank you Chris, I am a lucky girl, can’t believe I finally got it. No it isn’t Yarrow. Sorry.
Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday!!! Love Fujifilm. Those look like Queens Ann Lace, I love growing them myself.
Thank you Ginger, I love Fujifilm too. Unfortunatly not Queen Ann Lace. I wish I could grow that, I would love it.
What a great present! Those flower images are fantastic. 😁👏🏽
Thank you Pepper, I think it was too.
Congrats on the new lens, Leanne!
Thank you John, I’m loving it.
Excellent!
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I switched from Canon to Fujifilm a few years ago, beginning with the XT1, then the XT3 and last week? The XT5. I love that system. Much lighter physically than my aptly named Canon (very heavy) gear. I still have the Canon stuff, but rarely use it. I just did some experiments with the 80mm macro and my cat’s nose and was DELIGHTED. You will learn to truly LOVE your new lens! I’ll post the pics on my blog.
I have the X-T3. I changed or started the conversion in 2019. I agree, the lighter system is why I wanted to change. Yeah, I’m not sure what I will do with my Nikon gear yet. Time will tell. I hate trying to sell stuff. Thank you Ceci.
Happy Birthday Leanne! I bought the macro lens when I bought my Fuji. I love it. I did sell the macro lens I had for my Nikon. Your images are beautiful.
Thank you Anne. I think I might have to do the same at some point. I have been reluctant, but no excuse now.
Hooray for wonderful Christmas/birthday presents!
I was thinking your flower was Queen Anne’s lace. Growing up in New Jersey, we had an open field full of both them and thistle. Down here in Florida, I have seen neither. Shame as the Queen Anne, especially, made the loveliest of bouquets.
Absolutely, it was a great one.
The flower isn’t Queen Anne’s lace, I wish it was, I would love to grow that. I will reveal what it is on Sunday. I love the idea of the field of them, how beautiful. Thank you Lois.
Stunning pictures !
Thank you.