Reverse ring question

[Crappymonkey]

I got a 58mm-55mm reverse lens from Ebay in the mail yestarday. I reversed my 50mm F/1.8 II on the end of my 100mm F/2.8 USM macro and got some pretty good magnification. What I wanted to know was about focusing.... If I focus the 100mm it focuses normally but if I focus the 50mm it seems to do nothing? Is this right or am I crazy?

Here are some of my first shots with the reverse lens/macro lens setup. I should also have some extension tubes arriving in the mail in the next couple of days ;)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v71/Crappymonkey/T1i/R50Pen.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v71/Crappymonkey/T1i/R50Flower.jpg

[LordV]

Sounds normal. The reversed lens is usually used wide open and focused on infinity. Using the focus control on the 100mm lens should enable you to go from about 2:1 mag at infinity focus to 3:1 at minimum focus, so I'd set the magnification you want on the 100mm focus control and then focus by moving the camera - I don't think the focus distance will actually be that different ie 2 to 3" in front of the lens.

[Crappymonkey]

Sounds normal. The reversed lens is usually used wide open and focused on infinity. Using the focus control on the 100mm lens should enable you to go from about 2:1 mag at infinity focus to 3:1 at minimum focus, so I'd set the magnification you want on the 100mm focus control and then focus by moving the camera - I don't think the focus distance will actually be that different ie 2 to 3" in front of the lens.


Thanks for the reply LordV. The focus distance for the two photos above was a bit closer at about 1"-1.5" but I did achieve it by moving the camera back and forth. I might have to pick up one of those cheap ebay macro rails to make it easier :)

I'd also like to say that your Macro Hints and Tips thread has been very usefull for me. Thanks :)