Can I use a Nikon 35mm f/1.8G reversed for macro photography?
Asked 7/1/2012
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I have a Nikon 35mm f/1.8G lens and I’m wondering if it can be used for macro photography with a reversing ring. Is this practical, and are there any limitations or accessories I should know about?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
14y ago
2 Answers
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Yes, it can; pretty much any lens can, given a wide enough focal length. A 50mm lens will give you a 1:1 reproduction ratio (the magic 'macro' ratio), which means the image on the sensor will be life size. The wider the lens, the bigger the ratio, so a 35mm lens will give you a good macro shot (at least in terms of magnification). An 18-55mm kit lens will give you a huge 4:1 ratio @ 18mm.
You will need to hold the the aperture lever on the reverse of the lens open in order to take decent shots. You can do this by hand or with some poster tack. Check out the Photo SE blog article on reversing rings for more tips.
Originally by user3205. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user3205
14y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes. A reversed 35mm f/1.8G can be used for macro work, and a short focal length like 35mm can give high magnification when reversed.
A few important caveats:
- Focusing is very limited, so you usually focus by moving the camera or subject rather than turning the focus ring.
- With a G-type Nikon lens, aperture control is an issue when the lens is reversed. You may need to hold or set the aperture lever manually to stop the lens down.
- Reversing a lens can improve close-up performance because the lens is being used in a way that better suits flat, close subjects.
Helpful accessories mentioned were:
- a reversing ring
- a focusing rail for easier fine focus by moving the camera
- a Nikon BR-4 or similar setup to let you view/focus wide open and then stop down for the shot
So: yes, it’s practical as a low-cost way to try macro, but it’s less convenient than a dedicated macro lens.
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