reverse macro in Manual shooting but MF and/focus modes greyed out?

EJBrookes

New member
Hi guys,

DESPERATE for you help - bought a reverse ring for my 18-55mm kit lens. Go to Manual shooting mode and the MF option (once you press 'I' is greyed out. When I try taking pics the image is STILL not in focus.When I go to look at the pics I've taken, (and I definitely took some!) its just blank. I've put blu-tac on the aperture switch and set the lens to Manual focus. Please help I was hoping this might allow me to do macro shots as deffo cannot afford a macro lens!

Many thanks

(btw I'm just starting out with photography so be patient!

Em x
 
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480sparky

Senior Member
Since there's no mechanical and electrical connection between the lens and the camera body, the camera is taking the position that there's no lens attached.

You'll need to focus manually, as well as meter and set exposure.
 

Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
I know that, but when I go into 'i' and go to select "MF" its greyed out so you cant select it

That's because there is NO selection to be done, MF is the only choice you have. So you don't have to select it, just do it.
 

EJBrookes

New member
right actually I jst realised that haha derr. Ok, so the next problem is, no matter how much i move the lens to focus, its STILL out of focus.. and when I tried to take an out of focus photo it just shows nothing, even though it took a photo :(
 

480sparky

Senior Member
When shooting macro, the DOF is so thin that you may actually be in focus for a moment. But even the slightest movement toward or away from the subject will make it go out of focus.

As for exposure, you'll have to meter in manual and set the shutter speed to match the lighting.
 

EJBrookes

New member
Sorry for being dumb but I still don't get it. It won't focus even for a second. What do I need to do? Also when you take a shot nothing and go to view the photo it just appears completely black. I need an idiots step by step guide I think.. or just save for a macro lens
 

480sparky

Senior Member
When shooting close-up, the DOF is so thin that moving the camera back & forth may get the subject in focus, but for so short a time that you cannot see it. Are you shooting hand-held, or on a tripod?

As for exposure, are you setting the exposure (changing the shutter speed) so the meter reads "0"?
 

J-see

Senior Member
I've been shooting manual without lens info some days ago.

The problem is exactly that lack of info. What you see in the viewfinder is irrelevant. You need to find out what aperture the lens is using and correct your settings until you get enough exposure. If the image is black, most likely you simply lack the required exposure. Up the ISO and adjust everything else to maximize exposure until you got something you see on your shot. Then start fine-tuning that.

Worry about focus until you got exposure.
 

paul04

Senior Member
I have tried the reverse macro, it does work, try and focus about 1 inch away, if still not in focus, the try 2 inches away from the subject.
I ill take a picture in a minute and write down the settings.
 

paul04

Senior Member
I took these pictures using a reverse macro ring, with the 18-55mm lens on a D3200.

1st picture set on manual about 3 inches away from the subject.
lens at 55mm, iso 200, no F info

The second picture, same setting, but the lens at 18mm, so try and set your lens at 55mm and about
3 inches away.
 

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Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
Here's a shot I just did with the 55 1.2 at f4 with the reverse ring. A few tests for exposure and then just some color correction to overcome the color cast of my light.

reverse ring shot.jpg
 

skene

Senior Member
I'm just kind of curious... Now I could be wrong here...
If you are using the 18-55 kit lens with a reversing ring.......
HOW ARE YOU KEEPING THE APERTURE BLADES OPEN??????

Did you buy one of these?
Amazon.com : Fotodiox Aperture Control 52mm Filter for Nikon G/DX Lens in Reverse Mount for Macro Photography : Camera Lens Adapters : Camera & Photo

41EGxCM1whL._SY300_.jpg


This keeps the aperture open, as the aperture blades are spring closed and you would need to open them up to take pictures. Otherwise you need to get yourself a manual lens (or any other lens where the aperture is manually adjustable even older AF-D lenses will work for this) so that you can have manual control of the blades.
 

J-see

Senior Member
Wasn't there a trick to put the lens on the cam as normal, set the aperture prefered and then shut down the cam and disconnect the lens? Not sure if that works with everything or if the lens auto-closes when the cam is turned off.

Edit; just tested with my 50mm. Just shutting down doesn't work.
 
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skene

Senior Member
Wasn't there a trick to put the lens on the cam as normal, set the aperture prefered and then shut down the cam and disconnect the lens? Not sure if that works with everything or if the lens auto-closes when the cam is turned off.

Edit; just tested with my 50mm. Just shutting down doesn't work.

That's a canon trick.
 

EJBrookes

New member
I just used blu-tac to hold the aperture thing open. I gave up though as it never focused no matter what I did :( so I decided to buy some macro filters instead. Heard some good reviews about them. If I had won the euromillions I'd get everyone on here a new lens haha.
 
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