Is there any protection ring available for reversed lenses?

Question

I've started reversing lenses for macro photography and I'm loving it, but something bothers me: a lot of articles say that it exposes the rear element of the lens. Are there protection rings available for the rear element when using a lens this way or do I need to do it myself like this one: http://www.instructables.com/id/Reversed-Lens-Filter-Adapter/? It seems nice but, even if I like duct tape, using it for something relative to light leaves me uncomfortable...

Asked by eephyne

Answer

Hallo I have found a reverse lens protector for canon on a german website. The best thing about it is, you only have to buy one and you can use it on all your lenses.

you can buy it here:

Traumflieger reverse lens protective filter

The protection ring is attached to the rear of the lens (the lens is in reverse position via Retro Adapter Professional for Canon), where it holds a protective filter with 58mm thread (for UV filters, glass filters or polarizing filter) on.

Thus, the rear lens is protected against scratches and the electrical contacts are reliably protected against dust. If you do not have filters, you can also order UV filter.

Specs:

Protection-Ring for Canon EF-Lenses(also EF-S-Lenses, Sigma, Tamron, Tokina and Canon)

Compatible with the following Canon-EOS-Cameras like die EOS 7D/60D/600D/1100D/1000D/550D/400D/40D/50D/500D/450D/1000D/30D/350D/20D/300D/10D/5D/1D(s) und 1D X-Modelle and also analog EOS-Kameras Weigh 30 gramm ! Build: metal

Answered by xtarsy

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How to decide which reversing ring is suitable for a lens?

Question

Nikon's website doesn't seem to suggest any reversing rings that go with specific lenses (in my case a 50mm f/1.8G) .

For macro shots how to decide which reversing ring goes with it? Yeah, Amazon shows lots of results, but on which basis should I decide what?

Asked by Anisha Kaul

Answer

You base a reversing ring on the filter thread size and mount for your camera. To determine your size, check this question. That particular lens has a 58mm filter size, so you need something like this that uses the Nikon mount.

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_{I'm assuming you mean the 50mm f/1.8 G and not the D, since your D3100 won't autofocus with the D but will with the G. If you mean the D version, its 52mm.}

Answered by rfusca

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Are there any techniques to aid/improve reverse macro photography

Question

I recently started playing with reverse macro with my canon 50mm f1.8. A couple things I noticed immediately is:

• Shallow depth of field
• No control over aperture
• difficult to shoot handheld

I believe these are the common problems with this type of shooting

Are there any techniques that I can use to improve/help with Reverse Macro shooting besides buying a Macro lens as they are kind of expensive.

Here is what I've tried so far

ps. I have read Are there macro focusing techniques for handheld shots? but focusing isn't really a problem.

Asked by fluf

Answer

I've faced similar problems and also was able to overcome a few of them. A few techniques that has proved to be efficient for me are:

• Focus changes even if you move a millimeter. I tried so hard to keep my body as stiff as possible but that did NOT work. So, I just let it go. I start by looking at the blur image through the viewfinder, slowly move forward and start shooting as soon as the image looks clearer, keep shooting and moving all the way upto the point the image becomes blurry again. Do NOT move using your whole body/waist, instead try inhaling and exhaling slowly.
• I always shoot in continuous mode which enables me to increase the chance of getting a better focused shot.
• IS wont work, nor will aperture control. So, you'll need to set the aperture before detaching the lens. I usually use higher than normal ISO to be able to use a higher shutter speed, thus remove any chance of shake blur.
• Not sure if you're using a reverse mount ring, if not, get one asap. It helps a lot and you can concentrate on things other than keeping your lens safe from falling.
• DOF stacking is another technique you can apply. Its true I wasn't able to plan and execute DOF stacking yet, but if you take a lot of pictures of the same subject, chances are you'll find a couple or two which you can use to stack and gain greater DOF.
• Use of external flash is also very helpful and let you use smaller aperture as well as higher shutter speed while keeping the ISO low. Generally you'd like to use a diffuser along with it. Use this link to get an idea about how to make your own DIY lighting setup for better macro shooting.

Answered by ShutterBug

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How can one use a reversing ring with Nikon G lenses?

Question

So, this blog (credit to mattdm for pointing it out) says:

Firstly, when you turn the lens around you obviously lose the CPU connection between the lens and the camera, so say goodbye to autofocus, metering (in most cases) and aperture control (though I’ll come back to that)

Then:

The advantage of this old lens is that it has a manual aperture ring, which neatly neutralises the loss of automatic control mentioned above.

So, since G lenses don't have an aperture ring, aperture can't be controlled anyhow if we reverse the lens?

Secondly, is it practical that we set the metering and the aperture (manually) before taking the lens out and reversing it?

Is there any other way to get around this problem in G lenses (assuming that the camera bodies have the manual focus, aperture, metering controls)?

Asked by Anisha Kaul

Answer

With some non-G lenses, there is a switch on the lens that will release the aperture ring so that you can manually control it, even off camera or reversed, to set the aperture to whatever value you want (but as you close down the aperture, the viewfinder will get dimmer).

With G lenses, there is no aperture ring. There is a mechanical lever though, which closes down the aperture. You can slide that lever and the aperture will close. As the blog points out, you can fix that lever in place with tape or poster tack.

When you reverse the lens, the aperture will close to its smallest opening (f/22 or whatever). Moving that lever can open it back up to the widest aperture, or somewhere inbetween (although very hard to control exactly)

The camera body will not know what aperture is set since it will not have any electrical contact (and will wonder where that lever went!). So best to set exposure to manual and set an appropriate shutter speed. You won't need to set an aperture since the camera can't control it anyway.

There isn't really any point in setting the metering before reversing for a number of reasons:

• metering will assume an aperture, but once reversed you will be setting (potentially) a different aperture using that lever

• you are unlikely to get the same amount of light through the lens when reversed, depending on the size of the two ends of the lens - most surely there will be less light transmitted when reversed.

Answered by MikeW

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How important is auto focus and aperture control in a macro setup?

Question

I'm thinking of starting some amateur macro photography, and I'm not sure I want to go with macro lenses, due to their price.

I currently have the following lenses:

• Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II
• Canon EF 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

And I was thinking of buying either:

• Macro Extension Tube
• Reverse Adapter

My questions are:

1. What is the difference between the tube and the reverse-ring if I want to use one of my lenses for macro?
2. How important is auto-focus in macro-photography?
3. How important is the ability to change the aperture macro-photography?

Answer

The answer to your first question is answered here. Both are good low-cost ways to get started in macro photography.

Autofocus is not very effective as you near 1:1 magnification. Most AF systems will struggle to find focus, you have such a narrow DOF anyway that holding focus is very hard. With anything that is not moving, you are far better to set up a tripod and use live view to focus, if you have it. Or manually focus, then move the camera to and fro to get the subject in focus.

If you have a macro lens, you may not use it at 1:1 as often as you think, in which case AF can be very handy. I use it when shooting bees - it's very hit and miss, but for me slightly more successful than manual focus.

If you use extension tubes or reversal ring, you will be forced to be a certain range of distance from your subject (you can no longer focus over a wide range of distances), so AF is not really useful at all.

Aperture is important. You have a very narrow DOF, so you will often want to stop down in order to get as much DOF as possible. Or if you are shooting hand-held you may need a wide open aperture to avoid blur. If you reverse a lens, or have manual extension tubes and aren't able to control aperture, it's not a killer blow, but it isn't ideal.

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What reverse connector do I need for Nikon?

Question

I have 2 lenses for my Nikon D7000. First is 18-55mm and 18-200mm. I saw some pictures on internet are done using some reverse connector to get macro effect. What exactly I need to buy and how exactly to attach (18-55 to body or 18-200 to body) everything to each other in order to get "cheap macro"?

Update: From the local online market I've found this ring, please let me know if I can use it and how.

Answer

You need a reversing ring with a 52mm thread on one side and a standard Nikon lens mount on the other. You screw the reversing ring thread onto the filter thread at the end of the lens, then attach the lens-mount side to the camera body. You would do this with your 18-55mm lens because:

A) I believe the 18-200 has a 72mm filter size and

B) A wider angle lens gives greater magnification when reversed, so the 200mm is unnecessary anyway.

As your lens does not have a manual aperture ring, you will need to hold the aperture lever open at the exposed end of the lens (the end that is normally attached to the camera), either with your finger or with a blob of poster tack. You then set your camera to manual mode to start taking photos, as this mode ignores the lack of a CPU connection.

See the Photography StackExchange Blog post on reversing rings which tells you everything you need to know to get started, here.

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Why is my new reverse-macro mount adapter not working?

Question

I recently purchased a reverse macro mount (62mm) for my 30mm 1.4 sigma. I ordered it online because the price was so cheap I wouldn't be too upset if it didn't work. Anyhow, this morning I screwed it onto the front of the lens and then connected the front into the body of the camera, reversing it. The F-stop is now reporting as F00 and the view is blurry and grainy, and cannot be altered by adjusting the focus ring on manual focus. The thing didn't come with a manual, and I've got no idea. Any help is appreciated.

I'm shooting with the Canon 7D, by the way, if that makes any difference.

Answer

The aperture can't be set by the camera - it doesn't think anything is connected to the camera. So that's why you're getting F00 I believe.

As far as the focus goes, you definitely lose infinity focus and you'll need to be EXTREMELY close to your subject. Try putting the lens within a few inches of your subject and it should start to come into focus.

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