Primes

First, let’s have a look at the numbers:

Maximum Magnification

Some impressive figures, if they hold up. Let’s see how that looks visually.

Fuji 18mm f/2 with the MCEX-11 and MCEX-16

Fuji 23mm f/1.4 with the MCEX-11 and MCEX-16

Fuji 27mm f/2.8 with the MCEX-11 and MCEX-16

Fuji 35mm f/1.4 with the MCEX-11 and MCEX-16

Fuji 56mm f/1.2 with the MCEX-11 and MCEX-16

Fuji 60mm f/2.4 Macro with the MCEX-11 and MCEX-16

Analysis

If you’re wondering why the images from the wider angle primes are so heavily in shadow, it’s because the lens is so close to Homer— practically touching in fact—that it’s blocking the light.

You also might be wondering where the 14mm f/2.8 is. Fuji list only the MCEX-11 as being compatible with the 14mm, but distortion and aberrations are so heavily exaggerated, I can’t recommend using it with an extension tube.

The best bang for you close-up buck seems to be with the 27mm f/2.8 and 35mm f/1.4 lenses. The 56 gets a lot closer relative to its performace without any tubes, but it’s still not terribly close. Adding the tubes to the 60mm f/2.4 Macro is also a good idea, but it got pretty close to begin with. I can recommend 18mm f/2 owners get the MCEX-11 in particular, but with the 23mm f/1.4 the camera and lens have to be so close that it makes getting any light on your subject extremely difficult. You could back the camera up and focus at infinity, but that sort of defeats the purpose.

Zooms

Images and analysis coming soon!