[Arne CookParticipant]

Recently I was reading an article on macro photography and came across a technique called a reverse lens technique where a reverse lens is tied to the primary lens. I am really interested in trying this technique, but am not clear about the set-up.

Can anyone provide me a step by step guide for setting up the reverse lens. Also, which lens do I need. I have a Canon EF 24-105mm and planning to borrow my friend’s lens: Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED. Will these two lenses work out?

[sanjoy georgeParticipant]

Hi Arne,

I was interested in this technique too and did some research to try it out. In fact you can try this technique with one lens as well. I came across this tutorial where the author gives a step by step guide on setting up reverse lens on A95. Just check it, I hope this will help you: http://www.cs.mtu.edu/~shene/DigiCam/User-Guide/A95/Close-Up/Reversal.html.

[Aj SharmaParticipant]

I was fascinated with this technique when I was starting out experimenting with macro and din’t have a macro lens. This a great technique to get some nice shots you can’t normally and to have some fun.

Here are a couple of tips I learnt:

>Using a fast prime as the base lens and and a wide zoom reversed works really well. ( I used a  canon 50mm 1.8 with a kit 18-55mm for the shots in the links below). You can couple most lens brands as long as their aperture is either manual or widest at idle (most canon EF and EF-S lenses are widest at idle. Many nikon lenses are narrowest at idle but it might be possible to hold the aperture open manually).

> Try out different apertures, zoom levels and combinations of lenses. It is possible to use a single lens but beware of dust entering the sensor if not using an adapter.

> When you reverse a zoom lens, remember that  zoom value reverses as well (for example in an 18-55mm the lens will be zoomed in at 18mm and zoomed out at 55mm).

>Using a tripod and a coupler ring (to attach two lenses) will save you frustration. Check the filter size for your lenses to get the right coupler ring.

>Focusing is done by physically moving the camera closer or away from the object. If possible, it might be easier to and move the object instead for perfect focus, specially if you’re using a tripod.

> Be careful of lens vignetting or use it creatively.

> Depth of field is usually very very shallow with this technique. It might be better to have you subject on a plane level to the camera if you want most of it in focus (You could try shooting something like a coin from different angles to understand this).

Here are some pics I shot using the technique, using a canon 50mm 1.8 (on camera) coupled with a kit 18-55mm lens with a canon 550D

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ajsharma/5979584676/in/set-72157627294006805

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ajsharma/5979580692/in/set-72157627294006805

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ajsharma/5979578984/in/set-72157627294006805

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ajsharma/5979565364/in/set-72157627294006805

hope that helps,

cheers

 

[Umanand SharmaKeymaster]

Just checked out the photos from Aj Sharma. Awesome. And behind every great shot there’s an great photographer (and things to be learnt from him). Kudos Mr. Sharma.

[Author]

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