Reverse 50mm as a macro lens - How??

[Leorooster]

I've seen others in this forum using a 50mm (reverse) lens for macro shots. I just don't know how exactly it's used for macro. Specifically, how a reverse lens is mounted?? Thanks.

[ddelallata]

I feel like a complete retard after reading this thread... I don't get it either. Someone please explain.

[toyguru]

This might answer your question a little bit.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=197010&is=REG

[ddelallata]

I get it now. Thanks. Its quite expensive though.IQ back to normal (133).

[Leorooster]

okay, but the adaptor is for 28-105 zoom lens.....unless the adaptor is also good for 50mm or there are other adaptor out in the market. Anyway, I agree with ddelallata that it's quite expensive.

Thanks for the info...

[felix21685]

i heard that if you want to try it just for fun.

get a filter that is threaded on both sides.
but one lens on normal the other you screw on like a filter. i dont think AF would work.
but who knows. interesting to try

[ddelallata]

For 100 dlls more you can get a 100mm f2.8 macro lens from canon with a ring USM and excellent optics. Charging 350 dlls for plastic/metal and a few electronics doesn't sound right to me.

[toyguru]

Seems to be really excessive, but I guess it would be a cool gift for the photographer that thinks they have everything!

I would rather buy a lens and shoot it in the direction it was originally ment to be shot, but to each his own!:D

[Patrick DR]

I know there is a cheap solution to reverse lenses. If this available for EF-mount lenses, i' m not sure. You can check these:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=30059&item=7517836127
http://www.chriscamera.com/south/reverse.htm
http://www.adorama.com/catalog.tpl?page=searchresults&searchinfo=Lens%20Reversing%20Ring

Or google further.
Patrick

[weemannie]

I used two cokin rings stuck together. :)

Buy one for each filter size you need, and stick them together with supa glue

[sid]

See this thread for details on reversing an old FD/FL mount manual lens:
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/227149

[ron chappel]

Leorooster there are many ways to acheive macro-that's why there have been a confusing array of answers.
I think the way you originally though of using a 50mm lens is with a cheap reverse mount adapter-
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7507814143 (in the appropriate size of course)
This allows a lens to be reverse mounted to the camera -no other lenses are involved.
Interestingly WIDER lenses give greater magnification but a 50mm works quite well.Also it actually easier to use an old manual focus lens instead of an EOS lens because EOS lenses have no aperture control used this way.
The first link above for the novoflex thing is a variation of this idea.It DOES allow allmost any lens to be used-not just the 28-105 given as an example-but it's massively expensive......

Also the old fashioned bellows attachments are another (higher magnification) variation of this idea

Another way of reverse mounting lenses is to reverse a 50mm lens (for example) onto another lens.
All you need is a cheap adapter ring as some have mentioned allready.
The advantage of this method is in that all the electronic functions still work on the lens (the front reversed lens simply works as a magnifying glass in effect)
The drawback is that it's allmost impossible to find a combination of lenses that won't vignetter badly.
That's been my experiece so far-i'm happy to be proved wrong


Other concepts for macro include:
Diopter lenses -basically magnifying filters that you attach to the front of a lens
and
Extension-moving the lens away from the camera body so it can focus closer.This is done with extension tubes or the bellows mentioned above

[Leorooster]

Wow, very intersting. Thanks everyone for the information posted. I am surprised that there are different form of adaptors for macro shots. Although I haven't tried any methods that Ron mentioned in his post (thanks to Ron BTW for his detailed explanation), it seems to me that the easiest and simpliest way to shoot macro is using a true macro lens. Of course, everyone has their own preferences, some might find it more cost efficient using an adaptor or a magnifying filters.

Thanks again for all the information.

[Shakespeare]

"Macro Coupler" is the term B+H uses. I used this one

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?ci=1&sb=ps&pn=1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O=SearchBar&A=search&Q=*&shs=macro+coupler+58+55&image.x=7&image.y=7

to couple a 100mm macro with a 50mm 1.8. The vig wasn't really that bad. These are straight out of the camera, not cropped at all.

The 100mm macro alone:
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-3/132253/100mm-macro.jpg

and with the 50 reversed.
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-3/132253/100macrowithreversed50.jpg

I also tried it reversed on the 70-200 f/4...some vig, but too much lost light to do any good.

[tommykjensen]

Can someone post a photo of a camera with this setup mounted?

And what about sample photos produced this way?

[sid]

Can someone post a photo of a camera with this setup mounted?
And what about sample photos produced this way?
Which setup ? Lens reversed directly to the camera or reversed to another lens ?
If you want pictures of the lens reversed direct to camera see this link:
http://www.texasphotoforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=30553

It has sample pictures too.

[Leorooster]

I would want to see that also. Thanks.



Can someone post a photo of a camera with this setup mounted?

And what about sample photos produced this way?

[Leorooster]

I think Tommy means the set up of two lenses (e.g., 100mm macro + 50mm reverse) mounted to a body.



Which setup ? Lens reversed directly to the camera or reversed to another lens ?
If you want pictures of the lens reversed direct to camera see this link:
http://www.texasphotoforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=30553

It has sample pictures too.

[tommykjensen]

I think Tommy means the set up of two lenses (e.g., 100mm macro + 50mm reverse) mounted to a body.

Yep :D

[sid]

I think Tommy means the set up of two lenses (e.g., 100mm macro + 50mm reverse) mounted to a body.
Ah ! I see... I can post pictures of the 70-200mm with the 50mm mounted in reverse.... I know thats not the same, but it should give you an idea of how the setup works.
I'll try to post it later in the evening, unless someone else posts the pictures.

[Leorooster]

Thank you!! I am looking forward to seeing the set up.....just can't hold my excitment.......



Ah ! I see... I can post pictures of the 70-200mm with the 50mm mounted in reverse.... I know thats not the same, but it should give you an idea of how the setup works.
I'll try to post it later in the evening, unless someone else posts the pictures.

[Radioham]

Hi All
Thanks for that link Sid, i've just put that in my favorites folder. Its amazing what you can do with some old lens caps :lol:

[sid]

Thanks for that link Sid, i've just put that in my favorites folder. Its amazing what you can do with some old lens caps :lol:
No problem at all. I've been looking for that particulat tutorial/how-to for a while now. If you are interested, there's a couple of sellers on ebay that have the appropriate adapter for sale. It'll cost $17 (buy it now option), but at least you dont have to worry about cutting a body cap and epoxying a ring to it and all that. See here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7517573451

(NOTE: I havent bought from this seller, so buyer beware. The item ships from Ukraine)

[mdclaros]

I do it without any adapter,
grab the lens kit that came with rebel or any wide angle lens and invert it in front of your camera's mount. To focus move back and forth until you have the focus you want wherever you want and press shutter

very easy

[jyrgen]

Here is my setup:

http://www.hot.ee/jyrgen/ilgetoru.jpg

Combining extenders and extension tubes, it gives magnifications from 6:1 to maybe 100:1 :D Unfortunately the combination is usually so dark that I can't see anything...

[lost]

whooaaaa now thats a lens setup. You must need 2 tripods to support that. and a million candle power qbeam to light the subject. HEHEHE

[Leorooster]

Combining extenders and extension tubes, it gives magnifications from 6:1 to maybe 100:1 :D Unfortunately the combination is usually so dark that I can't see anything...

Wow, impressive stuff. I just wonder how strong is the macro coupler / adaptor - whether it's strong enough to hold up an additional lens?

Thanks for the pic.

[sid]

Here's my setup.
Camera -> 70-200mm lens -> 52-58mm step-up ring -> 58-52mm macro coupler -> 50mm lens

[Ian Parkin]

I made a coupled lens adapter to use my 50mm f 1.8 eos lens this is the result of it if you want construction details please ask
http://tinypic.com/view.html?pic=5ck6ya

[sid]

I made a coupled lens adapter to use my 50mm f 1.8 eos lens this is the result of it if you want construction details please ask
http://tinypic.com/view.html?pic=5ck6ya
Actually, I'm interested in knowing how you did that. Do you have pictures of the process ?
Thanks !

[Leorooster]

Can't see the pic.......



I made a coupled lens adapter to use my 50mm f 1.8 eos lens this is the result of it if you want construction details please ask
http://tinypic.com/view.html?pic=5ck6ya

[Ian Parkin]

how do i post pics?

[Leorooster]

Here's my setup.
Camera -> 70-200mm lens -> 52-58mm step-up ring -> 58-52mm macro coupler -> 50mm lens

Ah! is the coupler strong enough to hold the weight of the 50mm lens? In practice, do you use a tripod?

Thanks for sharing.....I learn every single day.........

[Leorooster]

Click the "Go Advanced" button, you will see the "manage image" button. Click on it, then browse and upload the pic.
how do i post pics?
how do i post pics?

[sid]

Ah! is the coupler strong enough to hold the weight of the 50mm lens? In practice, do you use a tripod?
Thanks for sharing.....I learn every single day.........
Yeah, the coupler is metal, so it's strong enough. The problem will be when you mount the shorter lens to the camera and the longer lens reversed to the shorter one. (50mm -> coupler -> 200mm lens). Then you have to be more careful about holding the lenses. Yes, a tripod will help but, with the working distances being so small, you'll be better off hand holding the camera and the lenses. (Just my opinion... your mileage may vary :) )
I myself havent used a tripod with this setup because it would be hard to do because the working distance is a couple of inches at best.

Also, with the EF/EF-S lenses you cant set the aperture when they are in the reversed position (unless you spend over $350 on the Novoflex product), so that kinda limits how much you can use this setup. I should be getting an older 50mm manual focus FD lens in the mail tomorrow. I'll post more pictures once I have had time to play around with that one.

[jyrgen]

I just wonder how strong is the macro coupler / adaptor - whether it's strong enough to hold up an additional lens?

Easily strong enough to hold a short light lens. I have used 50/1.4 and 85/1.8 reversed to each other in both ways, with no problems.

[Ian Parkin]

Right I've more time now.

I did it by buying a scrap eos body and lens ( £5)
remove the mount from the lens cutting the ribbon cable off to seperate the two
Unsolder the ribbon cable and solder on a length of 7 core cable ( i used 6 core screened using the screen as a conducter) make a spacer with a cut out for the wires and then glue/bolt a cokin type adapter with a thread to suit your lens that you wish to use ( i used a 52mm to suit ef 50 f1.8)

Then dismantle the camera body to remove the lens mount ( the body i had was a eos 1000f whicjh has a plastic mount) I had to saw the mount off the mirror box as it was all one,maybe thats different on a metal mount.

Then solder the wires remembering to make sure that the pins are like for like at both ends.

Then use the set up...screw your lens to the lens mount end first then bayonet the body mount onto the other end of the lens then mount the whole assembly onto the camera
You can then set any aperture you desire ( autofocus doesnt work)
I found magnification to be about life size with a 50 mm lens.
I'll post some images in a seperate post
Its very crude looking but works a treat..
Ian

[Ian Parkin]

two images one of inside of scrap lens
one of novoflex text text is 40mm long

[Ian Parkin]

whoops wrong images

[Ian Parkin]

adapter fitted to lens

[Leorooster]

Wow, it looks like it's quite a bit of work. Very impressive. I don't know if I would be able to do it.



Right I've more time now.

I did it by buying a scrap eos body and lens ( £5)
remove the mount from the lens cutting the ribbon cable off to seperate the two
Unsolder the ribbon cable and solder on a length of 7 core cable ( i used 6 core screened using the screen as a conducter) make a spacer with a cut out for the wires and then glue/bolt a cokin type adapter with a thread to suit your lens that you wish to use ( i used a 52mm to suit ef 50 f1.8)

Then dismantle the camera body to remove the lens mount ( the body i had was a eos 1000f whicjh has a plastic mount) I had to saw the mount off the mirror box as it was all one,maybe thats different on a metal mount.

Then solder the wires remembering to make sure that the pins are like for like at both ends.

Then use the set up...screw your lens to the lens mount end first then bayonet the body mount onto the other end of the lens then mount the whole assembly onto the camera
You can then set any aperture you desire ( autofocus doesnt work)
I found magnification to be about life size with a 50 mm lens.
I'll post some images in a seperate post
Its very crude looking but works a treat..
Ian

[Leorooster]

Thanks Sid, looking forward to seeing your pics.



I should be getting an older 50mm manual focus FD lens in the mail tomorrow. I'll post more pictures once I have had time to play around with that one.

[Bamamike]

Hi,
here is my setup. A Minolta bellows III with a reverse adapter and a MD 50mm f1.7 lens on the lens side and a glued on t-mount for EOS on the other side with my 20D. The advantadge of this combination is: cheap - a Minolta bellows sells on ebay for less than 30 bucks, the t-mount adapter adds with another $15. The rest is my vintage equipment. Print Canon EOS on a bellows, you end up paying approx. $200. This one works great, you can't use the auto-functions anyway. On the second picture you can see a part of a coupon that is about 1/4 inch wide.

[Bamamike]

Here is a less magnified view of the coupon, so you can imagine what you can get....
The size of the red cell is 5/8"" x 1/2".

[felix21685]

is it really tought 2 MF ?