reversed lens'
informationPosted by Mark Saturday, May 26 2007 17:22:31How, what , why, where....
Sometimes I get the question how I do reversed lens'. And also what does your setup look like. So to save me some time writing the same words ;) here you go.
1st a photo of my camera with a reversed lens (I know...bad photo) D70
one from the D300 with sb400 and other diffuser (sort of clothing from MarkinsQ3)
Also some tubes can be seen here. Very cheap ones from ebay.
Br-2a
Mounted to the body is the Br-2a with a reversed 24mm lens screwed on it.
The diffuser is a made of a simple peace of plastic cut from a milkcan. Below a pic of the Br-2a alone. You can see the 52mm thread which goes on the front side of the lens. The other side is nikon mount.
You can use primes and zooms but I prefer primes. The wider the lens the larger the magnification will be. 50 gives 1:1 and for example 28 gives 2:1 below a link with all the info.
here is a link with lots of info on magnification ratios
Tripod
For these kind of photos I never use a tripod. The distance between front lens and bug is very short. 52,5mm (I meassured it ;). Although I could use the sturdiness of one it is clumsy in the field. Instead I use my arms, legs and whatever nature has to make myself sturdy. With the help of fast shutterspeed between 1/100 - 1/500 (thanks to the flash) I can freeze my motion and that of the wind or insect itself.
Diffuser
To avoid harsh light on the subjects I use a homemade diffuser. Its a piece of plastic cut from a milkjug. It is semi translucent and a little curved. The pop-up flash delivers the lightpower and is almost always set to full power. Only with white backgrounds I use 1/2 power.
f-stop and viewfinder
Most times I try to achieve maximum DOF in my photos. I set my aperture at f16 or a little less depending on the situation. One can inmation that the viewfinder is almost black now. To see something thrue the viewfinder I keep the aperture open with the aperture lever with my left hand pointfinger. Soo now I have good sight and can achieve accurate focus. The tricky thing is to maintain focus when releasing the aperture lever and then pushing the shutter release button.
Focus
Because the setup is all manual, achieving focus is also a bit tricky. Not only is your working space minimal. Every movement you make is like an earthquake in japan. Soo I try to keep both eyes open. One looking at my subject over the camera and one thrue the viewfinder. I try to look at a leading line towards the subject and follow that. If you get to the field of focus you can see a colorblob of the subject in its surroundings. Now to achieve perfect focus I rock forward and back untill I can predict when to release the lever and snap the pic. If I have to go fast I try to predict the 1st time but then you are in the hands of pure luck.
Stalking
Another question people ask is. How do you get the bugs posing in those ways. Do you spray something on them or maby put them first in the freezer. No tricks on any of them. I hate it when people do that. Only thing I have done once or twice is to get a leave and try to get them on it. (most times they won't)
What I do is go real slow. Trying not to look at my subject. Let them know you mean no harm. Give them room to escape easily. And just hang around for some time. If I go directly to a damsel for example they won't stay put. If you are lucky they come back to the same spot.
Soo go slow and hide behind your camera. Make sure you have all the setting done before approaching. The only thing you have to worry about is achieving perfect focus. Also try to frame the shot before approach. If you know what kind of shot you want you don't have to figure that out once there.
Photos
In the category photos you will see some of my work with this technique. The lens' I used are a 28mm Yashica and a 24mm sigma. This year I use the sigma most but if you are new to this you may want to try a 50mm first.
cheers, Mark
Posted by Avi Thursday, April 22 2010 03:47:43
Hi Mark,
I came across your wonderful picture(s) on dpreview and I am intrigued by the Kilfitt 90mm lens you are using.
Which version and mount is the lens? I was hunting around for this guy, but was confused by the zillion variety of mounts this lens is available in.
How did you mount it on your Nikon?
And do you know if the multi kilar zoom attachment for the lens is of any use?
Thanks.
Avi
Posted by Tania Bounader Tuesday, August 25 2009 05:07:56
Your shots are impressive :) And you deserve a medal for patience :)
Posted by Roshan Thursday, October 02 2008 10:48:08
Hi Mark,
I had bought a Sigma 180mm lens and must say that I like it for 1:1 macros. But looking at the images that you have made I was wondering if reverse coupling a 50mm F1.8 lens on the Sigma 180 will help me get that kind of magnification. Have you tried anything like this? If so what are your opinions?
Thanks for sharing your amazing work and techniques.
Roshan.
Posted by Kwong Friday, September 26 2008 05:28:56
Amazing work.
Thank you very much.
Just D300 + 24mm reverse. Many have the equipment but less achieve the result.
Posted by AJ Tuesday, July 22 2008 05:51:56
Mark;
Awesome work with your new D300!
On the D300, do you need to set up the non cpu lens data first for reverse lens shooting....or can you just reverse lens and shoot in manual immediately like with the D70?
Posted by Steve Saturday, April 05 2008 15:19:49
Fantastic photos Mark. Wonderful work, and great information.
Thanks for sharing your tips.
Blessings,
Steve (Steve.Mundy.ca)
Posted by grungy Sunday, October 07 2007 15:40:51
I love macro verymuch,these days ,I temped to reverse 35mm lens with your method.you give me many guide,Thank you for your teaching!Welcome vist my blog:http://grungyy.blog.sohu.com/
Posted by Paul Oostendorp Monday, October 01 2007 17:48:49
Mark
The photo's I have seen are of professional ability. I love to look at them. i am bussy with extensions and macro zoom extensions, loosing almost all the light.
I will try your approach with my Fuji S2pro.
many thanks for sharing your pictures.
Posted by Vincent Doyle Friday, September 07 2007 19:46:40
Thanks for that Mark,I hope to try for those shots when I get my first real camera,
a D300 ?
Posted by Giorgio Monday, August 13 2007 21:42:55
Mark,
Your photos are brilliant, you have brought to life the world of insects. Up close and personal these tiny insects look absolutly frightening. Your pictures are so sharp, colourful and revaling.
Happy to be human,
G
Posted by Wes Friday, August 10 2007 14:35:52
Absolutely fantastic Mark. Thanks so much for the great information. I am going to start with a 50mm 1.4 as you suggested. I am sure I will be unsteady at first but I guess practice still makes perfect. Your macros are just stupendous. Hope you will be posting more in the future.
Posted by Chausinho Friday, August 10 2007 08:18:37
Wow thanks for the information,..
just amaizing
Posted by pierre henr Wednesday, July 11 2007 15:46:11
excellent ! thnaks for sharing
Posted by Mark Sunday, July 08 2007 18:05:51
Hi AJ,
No vignetting at all with reversed. And razorsharp! I did try the coupling thing and didn't like it that much. It is too big difficult to get good light and less sharp caused by all that glass.
And for nino,
I am using the old MF one.
thanks all for your kind words.
Cheers, Mark
Posted by AJ Sunday, July 08 2007 00:57:36
Amazing work Mark...and Thanks for sharing your techniques.
I have a 24mm Sigma on the way...can't wait to play.
A question though...do you experience vignetting using this reversed lens method?
Posted by Jozef Sunday, June 24 2007 13:47:42
Thanks for sharing.
It helps me a lot for my first steps.
Posted by Jason Scott Wednesday, June 20 2007 21:49:29
Awesome... Many thanks for sharing your techniques
Posted by Alexey D Friday, June 15 2007 13:29:44
Simply amazing.
Reading all info on them I got inspired and bought myseld a 24mm manual Sigma and Nikon reversing ring to try it out.
Thanks for sharing the info as well.
Posted by Nino Mihokovic Friday, June 15 2007 11:04:28
Beautiful photos! I can't believe the sharpness and the DOF! Big kudos to you for sharing, also. Could you please specify which sigma do you use, I found a 77mm filter thread 24mm in their product line.. Is it MF or AF? (looks new on the photo, so i presume it's AF). Do you set the aperture on the lens? Thnx in advance for the answers :-)
Posted by Lars Rasmussen Monday, June 04 2007 16:29:45
Hi Mark,
I've been following your posts (pictures) on the dpreview Nikon forums and I have to say you've got your technique refined to a great level. Together with Igor Siwanowicz, your pics are some of the best I've seen outside of scientific litterature. One can only aspire to achive results at this level. So, a big thank you for sharing !
Respect,
Lars
Posted by Lintenhof Monday, June 04 2007 08:47:03
simply stunning - great pix, sensational technique - I esp.like your diffusor !!