Don't underestimate the Brightin Star APS-C 60mm f2.8 2:1 macro

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Quick disclaimer: Brightin Star did send me this item to showcase free of charge but they had no say on the final product and all the opinions in this video are my own.


I have never owned a proper macro lens. I’ve played around with filters, extension tubes and vintage lenses that can focus closer than average, but never a dedicated macro lens.

So when Brightin Star reached out asking if I wanted to showcase their new APS-C 60mm f2.8 2:1 macro lens I was more than happy to take the opportunity.


It is made of metal, it weighs around 700g, it is 110mm long, with an external diameter of 72,8mm and a 67mm front thread.

The iris has 9 blades, the aperture has soft clicks and it goes from f2.8 to f16 with half steps.

The focusing ring is textured, it turns 160 degrees and the minimum focusing distance is 18.2cm. Focus happens internally and the front element doesn’t rotate.

It has to be noted that the throw between 1 meter and infinity is only a couple degrees.

It comes in all the mounts you see on screen right now.

It feels good: solid and well put together. It is a hefty lens, but not heavy enough to be annoying or uncomfortable to carry around and you know that I don’t like heavy lenses.


The price? 230 dollars. Well, 229,99 to be precise.

Just to make it clear, this is an APS-C lens and it is completely manual.


Sharpness is great wide open, with minor falloff in the corners, and it only gets better by stopping down.

Chromatic aberration is absent. I had to pixel peep to even find minor traces.

Colors are natural and true to life, with good contrast and saturation.

Specular highlights have some hard edges and backgrounds are fairly smooth.

It does produce some flares when shining a light directly into it, but I didn’t have any issues or loss of contrast in normal use without a sunhood.


I have been glossing over the fact that this lens is a 2 to 1 macro.

What does it mean? Well, 1:1 macro means that the subject is projected on the sensor at its actual size.

For example, 10mm in real life, 10mm on the sensor.

2:1 means that the subject is projected at twice its size: 10mm in real life, 20mm on the sensor.

Long story short: you can focus stupid close. Let me show you some samples.


In all honesty, as usual, I am impressed. I was expecting some softness wide open, some chromatic aberration, but no. This lens is very good.


Thanks again to Brightin Star once more for sending me this lenns.


Get yours: https://amzn.to/3OfbqBD (affiliate link)

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