Samsung 60mm f/2.8 NX i-Function Macro Lens

Samsung 60mm f/2.8 NX i-Function Macro Lens Handling and features

The lens barrel is constructed from high quality plastics and the lens mount is metal. It has a smooth glossy finish and a blue metallic ring between the lens body and focusing ring. With a weight of 389g and dimensions of 73.5 x 84mm, it is quite a large, chunky lens when compared to others in the Samsung NX system and when paired with the Samsung NX200 body used for testing, it can feel like an overly lens-heavy combination.

Focusing is performed internally, and the 52mm filter thread doesn't rotate, which is ideal for use with graduated and polarising filters. Focus speeds are fast for a macro lens, especially in good light and the thin manual focus ring feels quite smooth to operate. A focus limiter switch is also provided to limit the amount the lens hunts if it does struggle to focus. In manual focus mode the screen instantly magnifies the centre section of the image, making fine adjustments straightforward. This lens supports Samsung's i-Function feature, which allows manual controls to be accessed quickly via a button on the lens body.

The minimum focus distance of 18.7cm is quite close and care may need to be taken not to shade your subject. The optical image stabiliser allows sharp hand-held shots to be taken with a certain degree of success at 1/13, at normal distances, which is roughly three stops slower than the usual rule of thumb would dictate is possible. The stabiliser also does a grand job of steadying the image on-screen, making composition easier at telephoto focal lengths. At close distances, the stabiliser is much less effective although having a steadier image on-screen can help with composition.

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