More fun with the rev 50 and basic macro

Took the rev 50 beast out again this morning... I hope you like some of the shots... Also took some closeups without the rev 50... Thanks for looking....Alex

Getting the Weevil Eye

whats rev 50.?
great pics

Sorry Hip lingo.... It is a reversed 50mm lens attached to a longer main lens filter thread to filter thread.... Gives 3x or higher magnification assuming the main lens is 150mm or longer.. The magnification factor is calculated by the focal length of the main lens, and tubes or TC if used, divided by the 50mm focal length... I hit over 5x with a full stack.... I hope this is what you are asking. Take care.... I appreciate you taking a look and for the nice comment.....

macro junkie wrote in post #3710544
whats rev 50.?
great pics

Alex Paul wrote in post #3710579
Sorry Hip lingo.... It is a reversed 50mm lens attached to a longer main lens filter thread to filter thread.... Gives 3x or higher magnification assuming the main lens is 150mm or longer.. The magnification factor is calculated by the focal length of the main lens, and tubes or TC if used, divided by the 50mm focal length... I hit over 5x with a full stack.... I hope this is what you are asking. Take care.... I appreciate you taking a look and for the nice comment.....

your using the same flash as me..any tips?

Based on what I see of your photos brother you have it dialed in nicely... I went to a Manfrotto Twin arm flash bracket for more flexibility in lighting, and found it made a substantial difference.. I also diffused the crap out of the flash heads as they were blazing hot... Two pieces cut from a plastic water jug for each head..... One wasn't enough... I just use low tech blue painters masking tape to hold them on so that it doesnt leave sticky residue when removed.. The flash strength requirements for the rev 50 are considerably different than an MPE or any conventional lens, so my settings are probably of no value... My main lens is closed down to f22 typically to get any sort of DOF and the heads are aimed directly at the end of the reversed lens..... Working distance is typically 13mm to 15mm and even at f22 and the rev 50 wide open I get a DOF about the thickness of a piece of paper... MPE is a sweet option.. I am addicted the challenge of shooting this beast though .. I do shoot flash manually, set power to 1/4 and stagger the flash out put by 1/2 Full one head, 1/2 the other.... It adds dimension to the subject.. I went to your gallery and took a peek, and your shots very nicely done..... Take care.....

macro junkie wrote in post #3710611
your using the same flash as me..any tips?

MT 24 with Manfrotto flash bracket

Another nice series Alex.

#3 is my favourite.

Great detailed set Alex.

Very nice Alex, I enjoyed your setup pics as well. Have you tried reversing a kit lens or small zoom equivilant? I use a reversed 18-55 but attached directly to the camera via a homemade adapter. I find the zoom allows for flexibility in power for framing the shots, I sometimes reverse the 28-80 so I can get bigger insects in the frame when zoomed out to 80. Of course maybe you have the zooming ability with your main lens on your setup, in which case I babbled for no apparent reason. I was voting for the ant with the sugar cube untill i seen the anole pictures, being a big lizard fan I have to go with those, well done my friend!

Hey Trevor You aren't babbling... I have reversed a few directly to the camera a 24mm a 28mm and a 55 Nikkor Micro The reason I went for a stacker is the amount of available light for focusing with the direct mount is really limited with the aperture turned down to get any sort of depth of field... I still do use them occasionally but I find the focusing light through the stacked set up a lot brighter. I also shoot a 70-200 as a main lens with the reversed set up and love the variable power using the zoom... I certainly see great results using the direct mount reversed lens, but I just didn;t like it as much... I think of course the other advantage to the stacker is that it reachs higher magnification.... But it does weigh a ton, and is a bear to handle so it certainly has its down sides too ... Glad you liked these shots.... I always appreciate hearing from you Trevor..... Take care....

Thanks a lot Bernie I appreciate your nice comment on these... Take care

dreamline wrote in post #3714840
Another nice series Alex.

#3 is my favourite.

Hi Alby Thanks very much pal.... I appreciate you taking a look.... I'm glad you liked these.... Take care

Attic wrote in post #3715262
Great detailed set Alex.

Hey Alex, just for the fun of it, I mounterd my tamron 100-300, and tried handholding my kit lens reversed in front of it, I couldnt find a focal point at all, everything was blurred no matter what I tired. I set the kit lens to wide open and also the 100-300, still puzzled. I was quite interested in the " more light to focus" point you mentioned, that would be a great help! any ideas what I might be doing wrong?

Hi Trevor.. It would be a pleasure to share with you.. I'll post my tips after a good night sleep Once you get a handle on it you should like it.. 300mm with a 50..... 6x Thats a lot to handle but Wow what you can see

bromm wrote in post #3715862
Hey Alex, just for the fun of it, I mounterd my tamron 100-300, and tried handholding my kit lens reversed in front of it, I couldnt find a focal point at all, everything was blurred no matter what I tired. I set the kit lens to wide open and also the 100-300, still puzzled. I was quite interested in the " more light to focus" point you mentioned, that would be a great help! any ideas what I might be doing wrong?

Excellent, all of them! Lighting is perfect IMO.