How can I use a Canon 18-55mm or 50mm f/1.8 reversed for macro photography?
Asked 3/31/2011
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I want to experiment with reverse-lens macro using a Canon 18-55mm kit lens and possibly a Canon 50mm f/1.8. Do I need a reversing adapter to mount a lens backwards on the camera, or can I reverse one lens in front of another? Can either of these lenses be used this way, and does reversing work with most lenses for macro?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
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If you own both of the two lenses you mentioned, just keep one on the camera, then hold the other (reversed) in front of it (you can tape the two lenses together if you want).
Doing this you'll get extreme magnification; on the other hand, depth of field will be close to none. You'll probably want to avoid getting most of the image black so
- keep the aperture of the reversed lens wide open blocking the small lever in the mount with a piece of paper or something similar
- if the on-camera lens is the zoom (which seems to be better, at least in my experience), zoom it to the longest focal.
Switch autofocus off and don't bother with manual focus, you won't need it as moving a millimeter will change what's in focus. As this technique reflects some problems of a huge focal length, it's better to have enough light to use the camera in shutter priority with a short time (e.g. 1/300 s).
You could just reverse ONE lens, buying a reverse ring or making one but not all cameras allow you to shoot w/o a lens on, and/or the meter wouldn't work.
Originally by user3364. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user3364
15y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes—reversing a lens is a common low-cost way to get macro magnification. You can either use a reversing ring to mount a lens backwards on the camera, or reverse one lens in front of another lens that stays mounted on the camera. If you already have both lenses, a practical method is to leave one on the camera and hold the other reversed in front of it; some people temporarily secure them together with adapter rings or bands.
This can produce very high magnification, but depth of field becomes extremely thin and focusing is usually done by moving the camera or subject, not by turning the focus ring. Turn autofocus off. If the mounted lens is the zoom, using the long end may work better. Keep the reversed lens wide open to avoid excessive vignetting or dark edges.
A 50mm f/1.8 can also be used reversed for macro. In general, many lenses can be reversed for macro work, but handling and image quality vary, and electronic lenses may be less convenient because aperture control is limited when the lens is off the camera.
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