Macro photography on a budget - Part 2

A 50 mm prime lens allows all kinds of macro capability.  Above:  with extension tubes.

As you can see, a prime 50 mm lens, reverse mounted, with extension tubes provides great macro capability.  The more distance you put between the lens and body (macro tubes do this), the greater the magnification.  Although this system allows for excellent magnification, there are a few caveats.  

First off, your focal distance is always the same - for all reverse mount lenses.  This distance, called the flange distance, is around 45 mm.  That's just under 2 inches.  It's not a lot of working distance; you will have to be inventive on how to illuminate your subject.  If you are using natural light, you want to be careful not to add shadows.  Natural light means long exposures or multiple exposures with focus stacking.

The second issue comes with getting your image in focus.  Since there is no focusing ability with a reversed lens, the only way to achieve it is to either move the camera or the subject.  A rail of some sort for the subject is the best way as it is the lightest of the two.  You can manually move either one without the benefit of a rail, but distances are minute. 

Thirdly, your aperture can only work manually.  I use older AIS Nikon lenses - the good news here is that you don't need a lens that mounts on your camera.  As it reverse mounts, anything will do.  I usually set up my shot with the aperture set to the minimum and then dial in the aperture to the desired value.  You won't typically see anything unless you have really bright light.

 If all of this seems too much, there is another easier way, although the magnification is not quite as good.

Use the extension tubes and get rid of the reverse ring.  Attach the 50 mm lens to the extension tube end.  Again, the more extension, the more magnification.  The difference here is that you retain focus ability and have more room to maneuver.  Your aperture also works automatically.  You can now use a macro flash unit, should you have one. 

You can still use a macro flash unit with a reversed lens, but you have to be creative about how you attach it.  I often use a bit of tape and hang the flash from the end of the reversed lens.  It has served me well.

Hope this helps a bit.  I have done macro many different ways and each system has its own pros and cons.  This way, though, is fairly inexpensive.

Thanks for reading.

Eric Svendsen     www.ericspix.com

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