blackstar
Senior Member
Hi,
I am starting my macro adventure now while being still a newbie on everything in photography. My experiments start with simple equipment and tools (totally non-pro): d3500, 18-55 mm kit lens, 55mm reverse ring, 3 tube extension set, tripod, and short plastic stem (stick) from a cotton swab.
The First experiment was to evidently verify I can make a macro shot using the reverse lens setting: 1. A normal (non-reverse) P mode shot (35mm focal length and 15" focusing distance) of my computer screen, 2. A reverse manual mode shot (35mm f.l. and super short focusing distance) of a spot from the same computer screen. These two shots were by handheld and the aperture was open wide by finger holding the aperture pin. The result:
The macro shot was dark as iso was set 100 (no good for macro shot) and focus unsatisfying (handheld). But nonetheless it did show a macro effect rendered from the setting.
Then several live subjects (cactus, paper text, etc) were tried and failed totally -- either poor lighting or focus issue.
Finally, I figured handheld and finger aperture are not to cut. A piece of plastic stem from a cotton swab was stuck into the aperture pin slot to keep wide open and a tripod (without rail) was in to help stability. Had to keep bumping up iso from 100 to 6400 to get acceptable images. The issue of razor-thin DOF made post focus stacking a requirement. That added the already hard part of focusing an even harder task. Tried moving the tripod (without rail) or moving the subject won't help any and can get to the point of changing composition. Accidentally, I tried moving the zoom ring, and it worked smoothly changing the focusing plane! However, the 18-55mm zoom length does not cover enough macro DOF in the case of a coin used in the experiment, as you can see the focus plane does not reach to the rear end of the coin.
I am considering to add: a 58mm reverse ring for the 70-300mm long lens, a 55mm-58mm coupling ring to hook two lenses, and a focusing rail. And maybe going up to flower or insect for next experiment. All comments and advice are welcome and appreciated.
I am starting my macro adventure now while being still a newbie on everything in photography. My experiments start with simple equipment and tools (totally non-pro): d3500, 18-55 mm kit lens, 55mm reverse ring, 3 tube extension set, tripod, and short plastic stem (stick) from a cotton swab.
The First experiment was to evidently verify I can make a macro shot using the reverse lens setting: 1. A normal (non-reverse) P mode shot (35mm focal length and 15" focusing distance) of my computer screen, 2. A reverse manual mode shot (35mm f.l. and super short focusing distance) of a spot from the same computer screen. These two shots were by handheld and the aperture was open wide by finger holding the aperture pin. The result:
The macro shot was dark as iso was set 100 (no good for macro shot) and focus unsatisfying (handheld). But nonetheless it did show a macro effect rendered from the setting.
Then several live subjects (cactus, paper text, etc) were tried and failed totally -- either poor lighting or focus issue.
Finally, I figured handheld and finger aperture are not to cut. A piece of plastic stem from a cotton swab was stuck into the aperture pin slot to keep wide open and a tripod (without rail) was in to help stability. Had to keep bumping up iso from 100 to 6400 to get acceptable images. The issue of razor-thin DOF made post focus stacking a requirement. That added the already hard part of focusing an even harder task. Tried moving the tripod (without rail) or moving the subject won't help any and can get to the point of changing composition. Accidentally, I tried moving the zoom ring, and it worked smoothly changing the focusing plane! However, the 18-55mm zoom length does not cover enough macro DOF in the case of a coin used in the experiment, as you can see the focus plane does not reach to the rear end of the coin.
I am considering to add: a 58mm reverse ring for the 70-300mm long lens, a 55mm-58mm coupling ring to hook two lenses, and a focusing rail. And maybe going up to flower or insect for next experiment. All comments and advice are welcome and appreciated.