Cub member asks about using a lens reversal ring on full set of extension tubes: I have presented both tools to my club as well as old bellows for members to use to enter the macro...

jbmauser Loc: Roanoke, VA

I have presented both tools to my club as well as old bellows for members to use to enter the macro world. one member evidently wants to go much greater than 1:1. Is there a source I can point him to for info and help. I do not think he wants to play in the microscope world.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

jbmauser wrote:

I have presented both tools to my club as well as old bellows for members to use to enter the macro world. one member evidently wants to go much greater than 1:1. Is there a source I can point him to for info and help. I do not think he wants to play in the microscope world.

Many sources. One here in the Macro section.

newtoyou Loc: Eastport

jbmauser wrote:

I have presented both tools to my club as well as old bellows for members to use to enter the macro world. one member evidently wants to go much greater than 1:1. Is there a source I can point him to for info and help. I do not think he wants to play in the microscope world.

The ultimate answer is a lens like the MPE for canon. I assume a budget.
Tubes are a way, but working distance gets close.
I use M-42 and microscope lenses, among other ways. Some to better effect.
I can outfit him with these parts IN A SET for Canon or Nikon.
Post to me private for more information.
An early sample of what it can do follows.
Bill

Two set-ups four and ten power.ten on R

(Download)

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

A fairly straightforward rig would be a 35-50mm prime lens mounted on electronically connected extension tubes without needing to reverse the lens. For most systems, reversing the lens takes out aperture control. Stacking the standard full set of extension tubes on a small prime lens should get you well over 1:1, but it won't be super high power like a super macro lens can be, or as sharp as a super macro lens. I do agree with the approach of starting out in the hobby with a pretty simple and inexpensive measure like this. You can always later upgrade to a super macro.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

newtoyou wrote:

The ultimate answer is a lens like the MPE for canon. I assume a budget.
Tubes are a way, but working distance gets close.
I use M-42 and microscope lenses, among other ways. Some to better effect.
I can outfit him with these parts IN A SET for Canon or Nikon.
Post to me private for more information.
An early sample of what it can do follows.
Bill

Very nice set-ups.

newtoyou Loc: Eastport

Architect1776 wrote:

Very nice set-ups.

Thank you. I repurposed some odds'n'ends and a small flash. Total of $50 or so. NOT counting the cord, they run about twenty $.
The cup/ diffuser I owe to sippyjug (Gary).
Bill

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

newtoyou wrote:

Thank you. I repurposed some odds'n'ends and a small flash. Total of $50 or so. NOT counting the cord, they run about twenty $.
The cup/ diffuser I owe to sippyjug (Gary).
Bill

Nice, I acquired some old Canon screw extension tubes, A and B adapters and can mount my Leica thread enlarger lenses as well. But you have given me some ideas now.
Thank you again.

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

jbmauser wrote:

I have presented both tools to my club as well as old bellows for members to use to enter the macro world. one member evidently wants to go much greater than 1:1. Is there a source I can point him to for info and help. I do not think he wants to play in the microscope world.

My setup for "extreme macro" set me back about $80. A 28mm vintage film lens, a M42 set of extension tubes, a reversing ring and a M42 to EOS adaptor. Pretty simple set up that yields huge results.

(Download)

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Blurryeyed wrote:

My setup for "extreme macro" set me back about $80. A 28mm vintage film lens, a M42 set of extension tubes, a reversing ring and a M42 to EOS adaptor. Pretty simple set up that yields huge results.

Wow.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

jbmauser wrote:

I have presented both tools to my club as well as old bellows for members to use to enter the macro world. one member evidently wants to go much greater than 1:1. Is there a source I can point him to for info and help. I do not think he wants to play in the microscope world.

Check the links on the first page of this section - about all you could want to know there.

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Enjoy the journey into micro-macro photography. Depending upon how high of magnification they would like to go, Laowa has a 60mm Super Macro lens that goes to 2X and they have a lens that goes from 2.5 to 5X as an alternative to the legendary Canon MP-E65 for non-Canon users. These are really great for shooting single shot images in the field.

Numerous configurations of reverse lenses on bellows, helicoids or extension tubes are great for studio staged sessions when magnification gets high. Microscope objectives can take you anywhere you would like to go however the depth of field is ultra razor (microns) thin so focus stacking is necessary.

Higher magnification places demand on lighting so they go together to produce successful images. Higher magnification also results in closer working distances so the subject is ever so close to the lens and unless you have nerves of steel hand-holding is typically not practical beyond 5X (2X is about my personal hand held limit).