Reverse lens macro photography

[chillwolf]

Here are some shots I made using a reverse lens adapter I had a camera shop make for me. These shots were made using the lens reverser and a Pentax 50mm f:1.7 lens on an Olympus E300 DSLR. The first 2 shots show the clusters of flowers growing on a tree in my front yard. As you tell by the bark on the tree, these clusters are very small, probably a little over the diameter of a silver dollar. The next 4 shots are closer, probably an inch or closer to the flowers. Using a reverser really cuts down the field of view to mere millimeters.
The shots were made with manual focus and hand holding the camera.

 

[240sx4u]

That's cool. I had no idea there was such a thing.

 

[Illusions]

Canon EOS 30D
1/60th
F/0
18-55mm Kit Lens MF
ISO-160

 

[thomo57]

I had a reversing ring for an old Fujica 35mm probably 20 years ago.

It;s a fantastic way to get up close and personal with the subject.

Great shots:thmbsp:

 

[Fred Sanford]

Haven't mucked with them yet, but I was just given this set of close-up lenses that mount to my current lens, hopefully giving me a pseudo-macro function. We'll see...

je

http://www.tiffen.com/displayproduct.html?tablename=filters&itemnum=58CUS

 

[mikeybc]

I have been meaning to get a reversing ring for my Nikon 50mm f1.4 ais.....never got around to ordering one.

 

[chillwolf]

Haven't mucked with them yet, but I was just given this set of close-up lenses that mount to my current lens, hopefully giving me a pseudo-macro function. We'll see...

je

http://www.tiffen.com/displayproduct.html?tablename=filters&itemnum=58CUS

John, those will work OK, but not get the results that a true macro lens can get. I've had good results with a Sigma achromatic close up lens used on my Panasonic FZ20. The FZ20 does really great in macro mode, and with the Sigma lens attached it allows me to get close to within millimeters of the subject.

 

[SaSi]

The close up lenses are pretty much worthless for quality results. I do have a set but have seldom used them.

In the past I tried reversing rings and they did offer a decent magnification.

But the best results I've had using a true macro lens. A Canon EF100/2.8 in my case. No IS in the original lens but yet the results are truly amazing.

I have also tried a combo lens setup, where the first lens is mounted on the camera and the second lens is mounted in reverse in front of the main lens. Both lenses need to be in MF mode and focused in infinity. Focusing is done by moving the object or the camera combo. A tripod is very useful and a macro lens used as the first lens helps frame better. Tried this in the old film days. Bracketing was required to achieve proper exposure.

 

[Fred Sanford]

John, those will work OK, but not get the results that a true macro lens can get. I've had good results with a Sigma achromatic close up lens used on my Panasonic FZ20. The FZ20 does really great in macro mode, and with the Sigma lens attached it allows me to get close to within millimeters of the subject.

Understood- I know this approach is a compromise. This is my free/portable option for now, I have decent macro lenses that I can borrow short-term when I want. These are small enough to travel in the smallest camera case I have, but seem to help my 18-55mm lens capture some shots I couldn't quite get before.

I considered asking for a macro lens for Christmas, but then found these free close-up lenses + an upgraded 18-55mm IS lens for $40 instead.

je