Brightin Star 60mm f/2.8 II Macro Lens Announced

January 30^th, 2026

Brightin Star 60mm f/2.8 II Macro Lens Announced

by Dave KratzJanuary 30^th, 2026

Brightin Star has announced the 60mm f/2.8 II 2x Macro, a fully manual focus macro lens for APS-C mirrorless cameras. The lens offers up to 2:1 magnification, giving users access to more than life-size reproduction for extreme close-up work. It arrives as a very budget-friendly option in a space that is typically dominated by more expensive specialty lenses.

Brightin Star has been one of the many brands in the budget manual-lens market for some time now. Their lenses tend to focus on simple mechanical designs, all-metal construction, and very specific creative use cases, while skipping autofocus, electronic communication, and other modern conveniences.

We have covered the company before with their 9mm f/5.6 ultra-wide lens, which paired an extreme field of view with a built-in ND filter at a very aggressive price. That lens gave a good sense of how Brightin Star approaches value and niche focal lengths, prioritizing access over refinement.

The new 60mm f/2.8 II Macro follows that same philosophy. It is a specialty lens designed to do one thing well on paper, while keeping the cost as low as possible.

Brightin Star 60mm f/2.8 II design and performance

The Brightin Star 60mm f/2.8 II is positioned as an APS-C macro lens, despite some confusion around sensor coverage in listings. Brightin Star’s own product description refers to it as an APS-C format lens with an equivalent focal length of around 90mm.

While the lens can be mounted on full-frame mirrorless cameras, it is intended to be used in crop mode. As is often the case with macro lenses, coverage at extreme magnifications does not necessarily mean full-frame usability across the entire focus range.

Optically, the lens uses a 10-element, 7-group design that includes extra-low dispersion elements, a hybrid element, and an aspheric element, along with multi-layer nano coatings to help control flare and contrast. The design is optimized for close-up work rather than general-purpose shooting.

Some sites list a minimum focusing distance of around 0.18 meters, or roughly 7 inches, which is fairly typical for a 2x macro lens at this focal length and should provide a workable balance between magnification and subject distance.

The lens uses internal focusing, meaning the barrel does not extend as you focus closer, which can be helpful when working with lights or modifiers very close to the subject.

Key features

APS-C format macro lens
f/2.8 to f/22 aperture range
Up to 2x macro magnification
Fully manual focus and aperture
Optical design optimized for close-up shooting
Available mounts: Sony E, Canon RF, Canon EF-M, Nikon Z, Fujifilm X, and Micro Four Thirds

Brightin Star 60mm f/2.8 II vs. Laowa 58mm 2x macro

The obvious comparison here is the Laowa 58mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO. That lens is designed to cover full-frame sensors, offers the same 2x magnification, but aims for higher optical correction and consistency. It also comes at a much higher price.

The Brightin Star 60mm f/2.8 II occupies a different space. Rather than competing directly with the Laowa, it offers a lower-cost entry point. This is for shooters who want to experiment with extreme macro without committing to a more expensive piece of glass. The trade-off, at least on paper, is refinement and consistency.

Laowa also offers other 2x Macro lenses like Laowa 65mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro, which is also an APS-C lens. In addition to that, there is also the AstrHori 120mm f/2.8 2X Macro Lens. However, none of these match Brightin Star’s price point.

My take on budget lenses

This lens feels best suited for shooters who want access to a very specific capability without spending much money. Budget lenses can be genuinely useful when you need a specialized tool for occasional or experimental work.

At the same time, price often reflects value. A slightly more expensive lens will usually offer better optical performance, consistency, and overall usability, and that added cost can be well worth it if macro work becomes a regular part of your workflow. Having not used this lens or any other Brightin Star lens, it is difficult to say exactly how it performs in real-world conditions. Still, it is good to see more wallet-friendly macro options entering the market.

Price and availability

The Brightin Star 60mm f/2.8 II Macro is currently listed for $155.99. This might be one of the least expensive ways to access 2x macro magnification on mirrorless systems to date. The official product page lists the lens for $169.99, so B&H is definitely the better deal.

For comparison, the Laowa 58mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO sells for $499, placing it in a very different bracket.

For more information, sample images, and full specifications, you can visit the product page on Brightin Star’s website.

What do you think of this new lens? Would you use it in your workflow? Let us know in the comments below.