Reversing lens

Croesus

New member
Hello Everyone
I would like to try my hand at macro photography. I realise that the cost of a macro lens is rather high but before I finally decide if it's or me, I hope that it is I understand that it is possible to practice a little using t existing lens by reversing it and attaching it to the camera body using a reversing ring. I know that the aperture must be held open by some means. My question how will the shutter operate. I have held the lens against the body a pressed the button but nothing happens. Any guidance will be gratefully appreciated. My tanks in advance. Nikon D50 kit lens AF S DX Zoom Nikkor 18 to 55mm f/3.5 - 56 GED
 

Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
It should work, but ONLY in Manual mode. You have to select your shutter speed according to your f/stop and give it a try. You can also work with iso if you want a particular shutter speed to make corrections of exposure.
 

Scott Murray

Senior Member
Hello Everyone
I would like to try my hand at macro photography. I realise that the cost of a macro lens is rather high but before I finally decide if it's or me, I hope that it is I understand that it is possible to practice a little using t existing lens by reversing it and attaching it to the camera body using a reversing ring. I know that the aperture must be held open by some means. My question how will the shutter operate. I have held the lens against the body a pressed the button but nothing happens. Any guidance will be gratefully appreciated. My tanks in advance. Nikon D50 kit lens AF S DX Zoom Nikkor 18 to 55mm f/3.5 - 56 GED

Hello would you really like to know about macro? If so you would have introduced yourself much better and with an intention of what you have in mind, I am into macro and have posted alot of stuff on here so please feel free to search for relevant stuff that may pop up...
 

480sparky

Senior Member
The problem with reversing a G-series lens is controlling the aperture. You either have to let it close all the way down, or hold it open at maximum.

If you really want to get into reversing lenses, get an old lens with an aperture ring. You can then set it to any aperture you want, and you can easily control it with a BR-6.
 

Scott Murray

Senior Member
I honestly would like a hello or how are things before delving into things that can be easily sourced by google, maybe I am getting old and think that people should try before they are given free shite.
 

Croesus

New member
It seems that I have already made some almighty blunders here according to some replies this is my first ever post on this Forum, I thought I was being polite and unintentionally I have run foul of the protocol. I'm sorry that's all I say and Good Evening to all
 

Croesus

New member
I have heard about this sort of treatment to newbies the unwary venturing to a new area only to be abused by those waiting to pounce. Hardly encouraging to a new comer and flattens their enthusiasm I am none the wiser except for one the entries. I had thought that I would be able to receive specialist answers here, I was wrong. Rest assured I will not be posting any more questions I'll take my chances by Google !!!! Good Bye !!
 

WeeHector

Senior Member
I have heard about this sort of treatment to newbies the unwary venturing to a new area only to be abused by those waiting to pounce. Hardly encouraging to a new comer and flattens their enthusiasm I am none the wiser except for one the entries. I had thought that I would be able to receive specialist answers here, I was wrong. Rest assured I will not be posting any more questions I'll take my chances by Google !!!! Good Bye !!

Hope you haven't really gone yet. If you're looking to get into macro then I would suggest that you spend a little bit more and get a set of macro rings/tubes (whatever you want to call them). Get a set with electrical contacts so your auto focus will work, even though you will find that manual focus is what you will mainly use. I was a newbe to macro a year ago and have pretty much worked out how it operates. If you are still here, PM me and we can discuss what you want to know.
 

480sparky

Senior Member
Hope you haven't really gone yet. If you're looking to get into macro then I would suggest that you spend a little bit more and get a set of macro rings/tubes (whatever you want to call them). Get a set with electrical contacts so your auto focus will work, even though you will find that manual focus is what you will mainly use. I was a newbe to macro a year ago and have pretty much worked out how it operates. If you are still here, PM me and we can discuss what you want to know.


Odds are, using extension tubes with a kit lens will still not AF since there's not enough light left for the AF module in the camera to work.
 

WeeHector

Senior Member
Odds are, using extension tubes with a kit lens will still not AF since there's not enough light left for the AF module in the camera to work.

I regularly use my 18-55 kit lens with a 36mm extension tube, taking the lens down to 34mm (the limit) in sunlight. AF works for macros of insects and spiders. However, it tends to reset itself every time one presses the button so AF is best used to get an initial focus and should then be shut off.

I also use my 40mm macro with a 20mm tube.

PS. Should also have said that I tend to have ISO set to 800.
 
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480sparky

Senior Member
I regularly use my 18-55 kit lens with a 36mm extension tube, taking the lens down to 34mm (the limit) in sunlight. AF works for macros of insects and spiders. However, it tends to reset itself every time one presses the button so AF is best used to get an initial focus and should then be shut off.

The aperture setting you're using to shoot at is meaningless to the AF module. What is important is that enough light be present for it to work. With many kit lenses having a max. aperture of f/3.5, adding extension rings can easily bring the lens to f/5.6.... the typical limit for entry-level bodies. And if you're shooting in less-than-ideal lighting, the AF simply will not work.

Yes, the camera will still work, but the focus becomes totally manual at that point.
 

WeeHector

Senior Member
The aperture setting you're using to shoot at is meaningless to the AF module. What is important is that enough light be present for it to work. With many kit lenses having a max. aperture of f/3.5, adding extension rings can easily bring the lens to f/5.6.... the typical limit for entry-level bodies. And if you're shooting in less-than-ideal lighting, the AF simply will not work.

Yes, the camera will still work, but the focus becomes totally manual at that point.

Please see the additions I made to my previous reply. I generally work at ISO 800 and in good sunshine have no trouble getting down to f/16 if I'm photographing static objects, as I do a lot of the time to focus stack insects and spiders. Anything which is moving can usually be taken at f/5.6, though if I want a really fast shot, eg 1/3200th, I will usually do it with the 40mm on its own. It really boils down to what you want to shoot. As I've said, the only problem I've had with AF is that it will often reset itself, doing a full trip between shots and sometimes with the 55mm +36mm ring it isn't quite in focus and needs to be pulled out a little. In any case, anyone who does macro on a regular basis will tell you that AF is just a quick get-out which should then be shut off. As I never use a tripod, once I get a rough focus, I just move the camera to get the right setting.
 

480sparky

Senior Member
Please see the additions I made to my previous reply. I generally work at ISO 800 and in good sunshine have no trouble getting down to f/16 if I'm photographing static objects, as I do a lot of the time to focus stack insects and spiders. Anything which is moving can usually be taken at f/5.6, though if I want a really fast shot, eg 1/3200th, I will usually do it with the 40mm on its own. It really boils down to what you want to shoot. As I've said, the only problem I've had with AF is that it will often reset itself, doing a full trip between shots and sometimes with the 55mm +36mm ring it isn't quite in focus and needs to be pulled out a little. In any case, anyone who does macro on a regular basis will tell you that AF is just a quick get-out which should then be shut off. As I never use a tripod, once I get a rough focus, I just move the camera to get the right setting.


Shooting is full sunlight will usually allow the AF to work. But not all subjects like to sunbathe.

But again, the aperture you choose to shoot at, nor the ISO you use, have nothing to do whether the AF module has enough light to work. That is dependent on the ambient light and the maximum aperture of the lens.
 

WeeHector

Senior Member
Shooting is full sunlight will usually allow the AF to work. But not all subjects like to sunbathe.

But again, the aperture you choose to shoot at, nor the ISO you use, have nothing to do whether the AF module has enough light to work. That is dependent on the ambient light and the maximum aperture of the lens.

No wonder the OP decided to sod off. Do you do macro photography? I do and I've taken 13000 macro shots in the past year, with and without macro tubes, with and without sunshine and with and without AF so I think I have a bit of an idea about what is and isn't possible.

This started out with a guy asking for advice about macro and I suggested he try tubes with AF contacts. I use these every single day and yes they do work, even in low light. I use AF to get an initial focus and then switch off to do stacking shots, so I think I know what I'm talking about. No wonder a guy who just arrives, looking for advice, decides to clear off when he is faced with nonsense like this.
 

480sparky

Senior Member
...... Do you do macro photography?........

Gee. I dunno.

How do I shoot macros? Let me count the ways.

1.
01CloseUplenseson50mm.jpg



2.
02ExtTubeson50mm.jpg



3.
03MacroLens.jpg



4.
04CUonmacro.jpg



5.
05Exttubesonmacro.jpg



6.
06Reversed50mm.jpg



7.
07reversed50ontubes.jpg



8.
0850reversedonmacro.jpg



9.
0950onmacro.jpg



10.
10macroonbellows.jpg



11.
11reversed50onbellows.jpg



12.
12reversed28onbellows.jpg







My normal shooting method:



MacroSetup2B.jpg


A. Nikon BR6 (to open & close lens aperture)
B. Old Nikkor 28mm 2.5 Ai lens
C. Nikon BR2 reversing ring
D. "Third Hand" for holding small objects
E. D600
F. Nikon PB6 bellows
G. Cable release to BR6 to open & close lens aperture
H. 4-way focus rail ( Cognesys StackShot motorized focus rail is on my wish list)
I. USB cord from laptop
J. Manfrotto 410 geared head
K. (not shown) Manfrotto 055XB tripod
L. Yongnuo RF remote trigger for monolights



MacroSetUp1B.jpg



1. Background (I have several colors, but usually use black or white)
2. 24" Silver-lined umbrellas (when shooting extreme macros, I take these off and just use the reflectors)
3. 300ws monolights
4. Light stands
5. Astronomer's star chair (works perfect for shooting macros..... the seat height is adjustable!)
6. Laptop to control DSLR
7. Small, adjustable-height table













What do YOU think?






Now, perhaps we're done thumping our chests.






All I did was post a proper response to an issue that might arise in the use of extension tubes. If you wanna continue proclaiming supreriority in the field, go right ahead.





I quit. You win.
 
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