Best macro lens for Fujifilm X?

Quick post while I'm on my coffee break. I've been shooting macro on Fuji since 2017 and tried basically everything. While manual lenses are fun, I eventually switched back to native glass because I needed the reliability for field work.

• Fujifilm XF 80mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR Macro: This is my daily driver. It's bulky and usually over your budget new, but used prices have dropped to that $750-800 range lately. The OIS and weather sealing make it way more reliable when you're out in the dirt.
• Zeiss Touit 50mm f/2.8 Macro: I went through a phase with this lens too. It's a true 1:1 macro with autofocus. It feels solid and the colors are just different. Usually runs around $500-600 used.
• Fujifilm XF 60mm f/2.4 R Macro: Cheap and light. It only does 1:2 magnification tho so it wont get as close as the others. I keep one for travel because it weighs nothing. If you want the best reliability, the 80mm is the one to hunt for used. It hasn't failed me once in three years of heavy use.

I *adore* the Laowa 65mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro! Manual focus, yes, but the image quality is AMAZING. It's sharper than anything else I've used. I've had mine since 2021 and love it!

Forget dedicated macros; extension tubes offer a cheaper, albeit less convenient, path to high magnification. They shorten minimum focus distance, leveraging your existing lenses. Image quality *can* degrade, particularly at extreme magnifications, so test extensively. Consider a Raynox DCR-250 adapter instead. It's a clip-on lens that adds macro capabilities without the light loss of tubes, and costs around $100. Sharpness is good. Depends on your needs.

Forget chasing perfection! The Laowa 65mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro gives AMAZING results for the price. You can find them used for under $400 and still have cash for lights! Macro is all about the lighting anyway!