Thread for reversing a 50mm?

SwartzySwartzy Registered Users Posts: 3,293 Major grins
edited February 12, 2008 in Holy Macro
I've looked all over...and I know its here.....would someone please provide the link to how you flip a 50mm around and use it for macro. Just picked up a 50mm FD (Canon) for 5 bucks....whoohoo...and now I want to use it for macro. Thanks.
Swartzy:
NAPP Member | Canon Shooter
Weddings/Portraits and anything else that catches my eye.
www.daveswartz.com
Model Mayhem site http://www.modelmayhem.com/686552

Comments

  • Chrissiebeez_NLChrissiebeez_NL Registered Users Posts: 1,295 Major grins
    edited February 7, 2008
    well basicly you need a flash, a reverse mounting ring and a lot of patience

    here is a thread about:

    reverse macro photography:
    http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=47347&highlight=reverse+lens+macro

    how to make your own reverse mounting ring
    http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=70138

    hope it helps. otherwise.. search button? :D
    Visit my website at christopherroos.smugmug.com
  • JetCrocodileJetCrocodile Registered Users Posts: 134 Major grins
    edited February 7, 2008
    Chrissiebeez_NL wrote:
    well basicly you need a flash, a reverse mounting ring and a lot of patience

    flash is good but not necessary
    Up to now all my macroshots were taken without any artificial light.
    just bright sunny day

    Of courseflash would make your life easear but then you need a diffusor.

    Good luck!
    http://www.jetcrocodile.smugmug.com/
    http://picasaweb.google.com/jetcrocodile
  • SloYerRollSloYerRoll Registered Users Posts: 2,788 Major grins
    edited February 7, 2008
    Hey Schwartzy,

    Flash is a huge help for this stuff.
    You can buy a 52mm (or whatever size) reverse adapter ring so you don't have to hold the glass (or get tons of crap in your body).

    I just got my reverse ring in the mail about a week ago. It's so cool! You'll love it!

    Cheers,
    -Jon
  • SwartzySwartzy Registered Users Posts: 3,293 Major grins
    edited February 7, 2008
    Thanks guys
    Yes....flash is good....don't worry..I have flash...lots of it...just wanted to know how to put a 50mm on backwards...hehe...then use it...still haven't figured out how to trigger it or do I simly set the aperature manually, then fire away.

    Jon, where'd you get the ring????? My camera store didn't have any and Oh, man, I gotta try this mwink.gif
    Swartzy:
    NAPP Member | Canon Shooter
    Weddings/Portraits and anything else that catches my eye.
    www.daveswartz.com
    Model Mayhem site http://www.modelmayhem.com/686552
  • SloYerRollSloYerRoll Registered Users Posts: 2,788 Major grins
    edited February 7, 2008
    B&H.

    I shoot Nikon so I don't know what type mount you have. But you shouldn't have any problems finding it. Ebay is your friend on this as well. They're all over Ebay.

    RE:
    Adjusting aperture. You shouldn't have any problems. Aperture on that glass is manually adjusted.

    Process ina nutshell:
    Attach adapter to threads.
    mount to body
    Aperture f8(ish)
    Strobe on manual. I say manual since your focal distance will be that same distance over and over again and you'll manually adjust aperture to taste so you can dial in strobe accordingly.

    Take TONS of shots.
    Scratch your head why only 1/8 of them are remotely sharp.
    Read Lord V (Brians') Sticky threads.
    Shoot again w/ more keepers.
    Repeat until macro madness mwink.gif

    My only tip so far. Try shooting in the daylight. This way you can use aperture around f22 until you get your techniques down and can shoot at a lower aperture. It's really hard to find a focal distance in your living room at night at f22. Trust me :D
  • IcebearIcebear Registered Users Posts: 4,015 Major grins
    edited February 7, 2008
    Well, you can waste a lot of time futzing with a body cap and epoxy and a filter if you want, but for $15.00 I know what I'd dolol3.gif . Don't know what filter size you need but look here.

    I found a Nikon BR2 used at a camera store for $10.00. No brainer for me.
    John :
    Natural selection is responsible for every living thing that exists.
    D3s, D500, D5300, and way more glass than the wife knows about.
  • SloYerRollSloYerRoll Registered Users Posts: 2,788 Major grins
    edited February 7, 2008
    Me too. Mine cost 12 bucks and 1 buck for ground shiping.
  • Chrissiebeez_NLChrissiebeez_NL Registered Users Posts: 1,295 Major grins
    edited February 7, 2008
    SloYerRoll wrote:
    B&H.

    My only tip so far. Try shooting in the daylight. This way you can use aperture around f22 until you get your techniques down and can shoot at a lower aperture. It's really hard to find a focal distance in your living room at night at f22. Trust me :D

    rolleyes1.gif SO TRUE!
    Visit my website at christopherroos.smugmug.com
  • Chrissiebeez_NLChrissiebeez_NL Registered Users Posts: 1,295 Major grins
    edited February 7, 2008
    Icebear wrote:
    Well, you can waste a lot of time futzing with a body cap and epoxy and a filter if you want, but for $15.00 I know what I'd dolol3.gif . Don't know what filter size you need but look here.

    I found a Nikon BR2 used at a camera store for $10.00. No brainer for me.

    yeah, going about budging one is a waste of time but if you want to try it NOW it could be an idea.. rolleyes1.gif

    oh well, i still hand hold the lens in front of the cam, still looking for a ring :cry
    Visit my website at christopherroos.smugmug.com
  • SwartzySwartzy Registered Users Posts: 3,293 Major grins
    edited February 7, 2008
    Ha!
    Well.....this is going to be interesting.....thanks for all the help peeps! I may have to handhold it to start till the adapter gets here....I'm pumped!
    Swartzy:
    NAPP Member | Canon Shooter
    Weddings/Portraits and anything else that catches my eye.
    www.daveswartz.com
    Model Mayhem site http://www.modelmayhem.com/686552
  • SloYerRollSloYerRoll Registered Users Posts: 2,788 Major grins
    edited February 7, 2008
    Swartzy wrote:
    Well.....this is going to be interesting.....thanks for all the help peeps! I may have to handhold it to start till the adapter gets here....I'm pumped!
    Your braver than me bro!
    All that dust?

    I cringe when I think about it.
  • IcebearIcebear Registered Users Posts: 4,015 Major grins
    edited February 7, 2008
    SloYerRoll wrote:
    All that dust?

    A lot of truth to that! I've squeezed the heck out of my Giotto Rocket since I started playing with macro. I keep getting lint and pollen on my sensor. Can't let pollen sit there or it'll get welded.
    John :
    Natural selection is responsible for every living thing that exists.
    D3s, D500, D5300, and way more glass than the wife knows about.
  • IcebearIcebear Registered Users Posts: 4,015 Major grins
    edited February 7, 2008
    JetCrocodile wrote:
    Of courseflash would make your life easear but then you need a diffusor.

    Actually, you'd be surprised at the results with no diffuser. At true macro distances, the apparent size of your light source (flash head) is HUGE compared to the subject. Shadows are naturally very soft, and if you pay attention to the placement of the flash, the illumination is very even. You can prove this for yourself. The trick is to get the flash head as close to your subject as you can.

    Your intuition might suggest that you back off with the light, but that will have the effect of reducing the apparent size of your light, resulting in harsher shadows.

    So far, I've been happier with no diffuser on my flash, if only because it's less bulky that way.
    John :
    Natural selection is responsible for every living thing that exists.
    D3s, D500, D5300, and way more glass than the wife knows about.
  • SloYerRollSloYerRoll Registered Users Posts: 2,788 Major grins
    edited February 8, 2008
    I don't use a diffuser to "soften" the light. I fully understand relative size of light principals.
    I do use a diffuser though to eat up some for the light though. depending on aperture. It can help fine tune a shot.

    Not like I'm any macro master or anything.

    But you are right John. this stuff is WAY addictive!
  • SwartzySwartzy Registered Users Posts: 3,293 Major grins
    edited February 8, 2008
    Well
    Since I'm an impatient type.....went out and got a body cap with a 52mm UV for the 50 f/1.8 FD.....going downstairs to the shop and making a reverse ring....stay tuned....I've got some ideas! You guys are all evil....I should be working ya know! rolleyes1.gif
    Swartzy:
    NAPP Member | Canon Shooter
    Weddings/Portraits and anything else that catches my eye.
    www.daveswartz.com
    Model Mayhem site http://www.modelmayhem.com/686552
  • SloYerRollSloYerRoll Registered Users Posts: 2,788 Major grins
    edited February 8, 2008
    Riiight..
    Blame us... :D
  • GiphsubGiphsub Registered Users Posts: 2,662 Major grins
    edited February 12, 2008
    Dammit! Just done the same thing myself!:D

    Picked up a very cheap used lens to use this afternoon, and spent about half an hour making a reverse ring out of a body cap and filter minus the glass. Waiting for it to dry now, but can't wait to try it :eat
    Mike Helbig

    http://www.michaelhelbigphotography.com
    http://www.thewildpig.blogspot.com
  • SloYerRollSloYerRoll Registered Users Posts: 2,788 Major grins
    edited February 12, 2008
    I suppose your going to blame us too rolleyes1.gif
  • GiphsubGiphsub Registered Users Posts: 2,662 Major grins
    edited February 12, 2008
    I will once I get the thing working! rolleyes1.gif

    Actually I tried to attach the contraption this morning, and for some reason the body cap I used (I picked up an old one from the shop) won't attach to my d300 headscratch.gif
    Mike Helbig

    http://www.michaelhelbigphotography.com
    http://www.thewildpig.blogspot.com
  • GiphsubGiphsub Registered Users Posts: 2,662 Major grins
    edited February 12, 2008
    Hey just a quick question. I haven't actually tried to use it yet but in the past my d70 has refused to take pics with no lens attached. I'm now using a d300, but assume the same thing will happen when I attach my homemade adapter. What can I do to force the camera to take a picture? I think it has something to do with the camera trying to read the aperture setting...
    Mike Helbig

    http://www.michaelhelbigphotography.com
    http://www.thewildpig.blogspot.com
  • IcebearIcebear Registered Users Posts: 4,015 Major grins
    edited February 12, 2008
    Giphsub wrote:
    I will once I get the thing working! rolleyes1.gif

    Actually I tried to attach the contraption this morning, and for some reason the body cap I used (I picked up an old one from the shop) won't attach to my d300 headscratch.gif

    Must be the same syndrome like that TV commercial where the guy's trying to connect his new HD TV to cable and the set keeps spitting out the plug 'cause it wants Sat TVrolleyes1.gif .
    John :
    Natural selection is responsible for every living thing that exists.
    D3s, D500, D5300, and way more glass than the wife knows about.
  • SloYerRollSloYerRoll Registered Users Posts: 2,788 Major grins
    edited February 12, 2008
    Giphsub wrote:
    Hey just a quick question. I haven't actually tried to use it yet but in the past my d70 has refused to take pics with no lens attached. I'm now using a d300, but assume the same thing will happen when I attach my homemade adapter. What can I do to force the camera to take a picture? I think it has something to do with the camera trying to read the aperture setting...
    Jsut set your camera to full manual. If your using a strobe or shooting in dierect sunlight. Start out around 1/250 f8 and adjsut to taste.
  • SwartzySwartzy Registered Users Posts: 3,293 Major grins
    edited February 12, 2008
    Oh, actually....
    IT only works on CANON rolleyes1.gifroflrolleyes1.gifroflrolleyes1.gif
    Swartzy:
    NAPP Member | Canon Shooter
    Weddings/Portraits and anything else that catches my eye.
    www.daveswartz.com
    Model Mayhem site http://www.modelmayhem.com/686552
  • SloYerRollSloYerRoll Registered Users Posts: 2,788 Major grins
    edited February 12, 2008
    Then my Nikon needs to seek counseling for an identity crisis!
  • GiphsubGiphsub Registered Users Posts: 2,662 Major grins
    edited February 12, 2008
    Thanks. I just tried it by manipulating the lever with my finger. I think I set it to about 10, but not exactly sure. Anyway, I "made" the cap thing fit and tried a few quick shots (on my lunch break), and got these results. I am pretty happy with this for a test run.

    my 18-200 VR lens
    253962757_RVpoM-L.jpg

    A five yen coin uncropped (22mm in diameter)
    253962933_bg4ux-L.jpg

    And again, slightly cropped to center image.
    253963055_FRbnM-L.jpg
    :D
    Mike Helbig

    http://www.michaelhelbigphotography.com
    http://www.thewildpig.blogspot.com
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