cancel
Showing results for 
Show  only  | Search instead for 
Did you mean: 

Reverse Lens Macro Photography

Italian4215
Enthusiast

In terms of build quality and performance, what type of reverse lens mount should I be looking at?  I'm looking to use this method in place of buying a Macro lens at the moment, just to test the waters and explore the world of Macro photography. Any tips, tricks or buying advice would be great. Thanks

MY EQUIPMENT:
EOS Rebel T4i
EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II
EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II
(2) B+W 5.8 010 UV - Haze 1x MRC (F - PRO Series filter)
HOYA 58mm HMC Multi-Coated ND8 Filter
11 REPLIES 11


@majestros wrote:

The issues you will have with a reversing adapter on the main body is lack of apeture control.  This will make your depth of field VERY shallow.  [...]


I have used a reverse adapter with a 50mm f/1.4 and you can control aperture by setting the aperture connected normally and then removing the lens with the camera still powered up. The lens will retain the aperture when disconnected and then can be reversed. 

 

Extension tubes are easier, but more expensive. Closeup lenses are another option. There are many ways to get close to a subject. One of my favorite things to play around with.

-------------------------------------
http://trulandphoto.zenfolio.com/
http://trulandphoto.blogspot.com/

amfoto1
Authority

My advice would be to simply get a set of Macro Extension Tubes that support AF and aperture control and use those with the lenses you have.... The 18-55mm set to 55mm or the 55-250 set to between 55 and 100mm or so.

 

There are inexpensive macro tubes selling for around $75 for a set, not fancy, plastic bodied but with metal bayonet mounts. Zeikos (also sell as Bower, Vivitar, ProOptic and a bunch of other brand names) that have sort of odd sizes in the set: 13mm, 21mm and 31mm. Opteka just stared offering a set too, for around the same price, but with more traditional sizes: 12mm, 20mm and 36mm.

 

Canon sells 12mm and 25mm tubes individually. So does Kenko, who also offer a set that included 12mm, 20mm and 35mm. All these are more expensive than the plastic bodied tubes, but are definitely better quality, too.

 

Do not waste your money on the really cheap Macro Extension Tubes... Under $25... Sometimes under $15. They lack the electronic contacts, which means no AF and no aperture control. No AF isn't all that big a deal, it's often easier to use manual focus techniques for macro, anyway. But no control of the aperture is a pain in the arse (there is a work-around, but it's really slow, involved and fussy).

 

There are two ways to reverse lenses.... One is to reverse the lens right on the camera. The other is to reverse stack a lens on top of another lens on the camera.

 

Reversing the lens right on the camera means no AF and no control over aperture control if using modern AF lenses. Vintage manual focus lenses, which have an aperture control dial right on the lens, can be used. BUT, CANON FD IS NOT USABLE.  All FD lenses stop down to f5.6 when removed from the camera and remain there. In other words you cannot change the aperture by changing the setting on the dial on the lens, without a special, hard to find device that installs like a rear lens cap.

 

Even so, a reversed lens makes for very high and difficult to work with magnifications. It will almost always mean using a tripod and often you will need auxiliary lighting (at a minimum, a portable flash and an off-camera shoe cord).

 

A reversed and stacked lens is a little different and more practical. This is usually done with two prime lenses, is difficult or impossible with zooms. Often a 28mm or 35mm lens is reversed on the front of a 135mm, for example. Ideally the two lenses should the same filter thread size. That makes it easier to get a stacking ring to join them together. The lens on the front act like a high quality diopter of sorts. You'll be somewhat limited to a range of fairly high magnification. The rear lens still provides control over the aperture, though AF probably won't work.

 

By the time you set up either type of reversing rig, you'll most likely have more than $75 in it. So it would likely be easier and cheaper to just get a set of Macro Extension Tubes to experiment with. That would be my recommendation. They are very versatile and come in handy for many things... I always have a set with me (sometimes even use them on macro lenses).

 

***********
Alan Myers

San Jose, Calif., USA
"Walk softly and carry a big lens."
GEAR: 5DII, 7D(x2), 50D(x3), some other cameras, various lenses & accessories
FLICKR & PRINTROOM 

 





Announcements