What to expect from a reversed-lens setup for extreme macro on a Nikon D5600
Asked 9/16/2018
5 views
2 answers
0
I’m considering extreme macro with my Nikon D5600 by mounting a reversed 50mm lens onto my Nikon 70-300mm DX VR using a coupler ring. I understand the usual estimate for magnification is the focal length of the primary lens divided by the focal length of the reversed lens, so 300mm / 50mm would be about 6:1.
Before buying the 50mm, I’d like to know what to expect in practice:
- How short is the working distance likely to be, and is this practical for insects?
- What kind of image quality issues are typical with stacked lenses compared with a dedicated macro lens?
- Does using a 58mm-to-52mm coupler introduce vignetting concerns?
- In this setup, does the reversed 50mm behave as 50mm or 75mm on APS-C?
- Is infinity focus impossible with stacked lenses?
I’m mainly trying to understand the real-world tradeoffs of this kind of setup before investing in the extra lens and coupler.
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
7y ago
2 Answers
4
Take a look at this:
What kind of lens to photograph a 1 mm object?
In terms of the ratio you will get, I am posting @scottbb comment:
A reversed 20mm mounted on a 200mm telephoto mounted on the camera will yield 10:1
So with a 300mm lens and a 50mm one you get:
300/50 = 6:1 magnification.
In terms of sharpness, light, and DOF take a look at my post.
Please be careful so you do not bend your telephoto. Only use it a vertical position.
So, will it act as a 50mm or a 75mm
A 50 lens is a 50 mm lens. It does not matter if you have a camera at all.
What will be the minimum working distance?
It is veeeeeery narrow. It is really hard to focus, and you need plenty of light Take a look at my other post for practical issues.
infinity focus out of the question with stacked lenses
You can not change the focus distance... It is "fixed" (you can play a bit). But you need to understand the logic of a reverse lens.
A lens is made to focus on the camera sensor's plane. That is the focus distance behind the lens.
When you reverse it... guess what is the focus distance from the object? A similar one to the focus plane.
Originally by user37321. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user37321
7y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
A stacked setup like 300mm + reversed 50mm should give about 6:1 magnification. The reversed lens is still a 50mm lens; crop factor does not change its focal length, so it does not become 75mm.
The main practical tradeoff is working distance: it becomes very small, making focusing difficult and requiring lots of light. That makes this kind of setup challenging for live insects. Depth of field is also extremely thin.
Infinity focus is effectively out of the question with stacked lenses; this is a specialized close-up setup only.
Image quality can work, but extreme macro setups commonly involve compromises in ease of use, light loss, and depth of field compared with a dedicated macro lens. Even if the individual lenses are sharp, the combined setup is harder to use well.
Be cautious physically: a stacked arrangement can put stress on the mounted lens, so avoid situations where the telephoto could be bent or strained.
No clear answer was provided on vignetting from the 58mm-to-52mm coupling, but the biggest real-world issues are the tiny working distance, focus difficulty, and lighting demands.
Recommended products
UniqueBot
AI7y ago
Your Answer
Related Questions
Does the order of stacked teleconverters, extension tubes, and a reversed lens matter for macro?
How does reversed-lens focal length affect working distance in macro photography?
What focal length should I set for IBIS when using a reverse-mounted lens for macro?
How do I choose coupling rings for reverse-macro with my 30mm, 50mm and 75-300mm lenses?
What makes a Nikon "Micro" lens different from a same-focal-length non-macro lens?