A chain of events

[RichardtheSane]

This morning I discovered a new type of photography (to me anyway, method has been around for years).

It all started when I was reading a thread about the 17-40L and AF noise.

'I'll test that' I thought. So I slapped the lens on the front of my recently aquired 20D and did a bit of auto focusing. It was quiet as ever, not silent but very quiet. I took a few photos, the subject being an old Praktica BC 1 that was gathering dust on the window ledge.

Quickly I lost interest as a dusty practika is a very uninteresting subject, but the 50mm lens on the front of it was calling me, not very loudly though. I rmoved it and looked closely. Still too quiet. Looked even closer, and through the lens a small, close portion of the world popped into focus.

Bingo! I'd been wanting to try this for ages and had totally failed to realise I owned a 50mm lens to do it with.

Off comes the 17-40, on goes the 50mm F1.8 mkI. Place the praktica 50mm lens reversed in front of it, hold it all in place and take a few shots. Macro on a serious budget, but I love it.

http://www.richardlindley.co.uk/images/macro.jpg

Although I can't believe the first shot from my 20D that I am posting is a dodgy dusty bit of a praktica with poor focus, general softness and even worse DOF control. At least the composition doesn't completely suck - but is it a good start?

Now to buy a reversing ring so I don't have to hold it in place.

OK, there is a point. Does anyone have any good links to info about macro photography with a reversed lens? Also ideas on how to set both lenses re aperture and focus and how the various settings affect the setup would be much appriciated

I think I could quite enjoy this. :)

[PacAce]

Sorry, Richard, I don't have any info readily at hand I can point you to but I just wanted to wish you luck with your reversed lens macro endeavors. And I'd be very interested in hearing about anything you discover about it and would like to post here.

Again, good luck. And, to borrow a phrase from Disney, "It's a small, small world out there!" :D

[sparker1]

Can't help with info or sources, but gotta tell you the photo is not poorly focused. The little wheel thing is very sharp. With the lens setup you used, there is a minute area of focus as DOF is minimal. That has to be used to advantage.

[John_T]

Here's the classic one Richard.

http://www.mplonsky.com/photo/article.htm

I got my reverse lens ring from B&H for a G2 back when, using a Nikkor 50 f/1.4, and it fits on my EF 50 f/1.4 perfectly nose to nose. On the reversed lens set focus to infinity and open the aperture fully, and lock it if you have a lock on that lens. You might want to MF the lens on your 20D, as the weight of the reversed lens hanging on it is pretty heavy for the USM motor.

You can really get lost in there. Next thing you know you'll be looking for a focus rail.

[ron chappel]

Hey i remember you richard-you're the one with the funny/cool dog pics :)

Using a revered lens in front of a normal lens is actually one of the rarer methods of macro photography
Much more common are the methods of either mounting a lens reversed onto the camera (with no other lens) or mounting a lens normally but extended from the camera body
Have fun with it all!

[jyrgen]

Richard, if you have any telephoto prime or zoom with 77mm front diameter, forget "the Sane" part of your name and try your 17-40 reversed in front of that lens. Here (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=27018) is an appetizer.