Samsung 60mm f/2.8 Macro Lens Review: high quality and affordable, a no-brainer for NX-mount macro fans

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posted Monday, June 16, 2014 at 1:09 PM EDT

 
 

We've just published our Samsung 60mm f/2.8 Macro ED OIS SSA lens review, and if you're a Samsung NX shooter and are interested in macro photography, this is the lens for you. Boasting a full 1:1 magnification ratio, the 60mm focal length provides an approximate 90mm equivalent field of view on Samsung's APS-C cameras. Composed of 12 elements in 9 groups, with 1 Aspherical lens and 1 Extra-low Dispersion lens, the Samsung 60mm Macro is well-equipped to control chromatic aberration. It  also features Samsung's Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and Samsung's brand of electric focusing, SSA ("Supersonic Actuator"), as well as Samsung's unique "I-Function" button, which can enable the user to select different functions from the lens itself.

The results? Well, as you would expect for a macro lens: sharpness, sharpness and more sharpness, and with nary a hint of distortion. Wide-open, center sharpness is fantastic, with only minor corner softness, but stopping down quickly sharpens things up across the entire frame. Other optical qualities, such as vignetting and CA performance, are also impressive. 

Jump over to SLRgear to read our full Samsung 60mm f/2.8 Macro ED OIS SSA lens review with an in-depth report, final conclusion as well as our full range of test results and sample images. 

The Samsung 60mm f/2.8 Macro ED OIS SSA lens is currently available for around $509 and ships with a circular, bayonet-mount lens hood. You can purchase this lens, or any other item, from one of our trusted affiliates: Amazon, Adorama, and B&H. By purchasing this lens, or any other product from one of our trusted affiliates helps support this site and keeps these reviews coming!

In the meantime, check out some sample photos shot by our senior lens technician Rob Murray and editor William Brawley using the Samsung NX30. You can view more sample photos, plus download the full-resolution files, over at our Flickr page.

 
Handheld 1:1 ratio - NX30: 60mm, f/14, 1/100s, ISO 200
 
 
NX30: 60mm, f/6.3, 1/200s, ISO 100
 
 
NX30: 60mm, f/2.8, 1/2500s, ISO 100
 
 
NX30: 60mm, f/9, 1/125s, ISO 200