Budget Macro Photograpy: Not sure if I did this right, so trying it again. Looking to use either 1 of these lenses with a reversing ring ordered from Amazon, an Olympus 50mm f1.4 or an...

Pixljockey Loc: Southeast Pa.

Not sure if I did this right, so trying it again. Looking to use either 1 of these lenses with a reversing ring ordered from Amazon, an Olympus 50mm f1.4 or an Olympus 28mm f2.8. I’m thinking the 28mm with the aps-c sensor of my Nikon D7200 will yield impressive results. Guess I’ll have to learn focus stacking as well.

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BassmanBruce Loc: Middle of the Mitten

Consider using extension tubes as well.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

Pixljockey wrote:

Not sure if I did this right, so trying it again. Looking to use either 1 of these lenses with a reversing ring ordered from Amazon, an Olympus 50mm f1.4 or an Olympus 28mm f2.8. I’m thinking the 28mm with the aps-c sensor of my Nikon D7200 will yield impressive results. Guess I’ll have to learn focus stacking as well.

Don't these lenses both have 49mm filter rings? If so, you should be able to try both of them.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Pixljockey wrote:

Not sure if I did this right, so trying it again. Looking to use either 1 of these lenses with a reversing ring ordered from Amazon, an Olympus 50mm f1.4 or an Olympus 28mm f2.8. I’m thinking the 28mm with the aps-c sensor of my Nikon D7200 will yield impressive results. Guess I’ll have to learn focus stacking as well.

Using the native focusing abilities of the lens, your range of focus will be very, very small ......
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Pixljockey Loc: Southeast Pa.

larryepage wrote:

Don't these lenses both have 49mm filter rings? If so, you should be able to try both of them.

Yep, both will be used, but the 28mm will probably yield the higher mag ratio. I'm just grateful to be able to use them again. Not sure if I'll be able to select the aperture, as the selector tab is now up front. Might have to figure out a hack for it. Maybe a shim or something. Also looking at a pretty cool focusing rail from newer, for focus stacking.

Pixljockey Loc: Southeast Pa.

Yeah, hopefully the focusing rail will help.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

Pixljockey wrote:

Yep, both will be used, but the 28mm will probably yield the higher mag ratio. I'm just grateful to be able to use them again. Not sure if I'll be able to select the aperture, as the selector tab is now up front. Might have to figure out a hack for it. Maybe a shim or something. Also looking at a pretty cool focusing rail from newer, for focus stacking.

I think these lenses stop down when they are not on the camera, so you should be fine with using the aperture control. You'll have to frame and focus, then stop down to your chosen aperture.

Pixljockey Loc: Southeast Pa.

larryepage wrote:

I think these lenses stop down when they are not on the camera, so you should be fine with using the aperture control. You'll have to frame and focus, then stop down to your chosen aperture.

Awesome! Thanks

agillot

done it with 50 and 28mm pentax lenses , 50 is a lot easier to use .you have to shoot at f11 or 16 , so need a lot of lite .a set of extension tubes work well .i use meike brand , around $40 .

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

BassmanBruce wrote:

Consider using extension tubes as well.

Yes, extension tubes come in a set of three, so you can adjust the length. I've been satisfied with the cheap, manual type. One tip: to remove the tube from the camera, you have to slide the silver button, not push down on it. We've had several people here ask how to remove the tube.

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

Consider a close up filter

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

It has been an age since I've played with old manual lenses for macro. It is good to see old glass be put to good use!

As for a focusing rail, I see reviews for basic focusing rails on Amazon where the reviewer kvetches about how the rail is not precise enough for macro in the range you are possibly moving toward (greater than 1:1). I expect that for at least some of those < $100 rails there is a small amount of sideways movement as they are advanced. Not at all an issue for lower power close up stacking, or for just getting the camera in line to the subject.
I don't know about the Neewer rail, but I did buy a used look-alike clone from Oben (you will see it on Amazon). It had plastic gears (!?!) and it quickly failed but I was able to return it. There are more precision types of rails but they do cost more. Sippyjug of course is the guru on stacking.

Pixljockey Loc: Southeast Pa.

jerryc41 wrote:

Yes, extension tubes come in a set of three, so you can adjust the length. I've been satisfied with the cheap, manual type. One tip: to remove the tube from the camera, you have to slide the silver button, not push down on it. We've had several people here ask how to remove the tube.

So with the extension tubes, I imagine you’re able to get much higher mag ratio, is the DOF a problem? Can it be managed with a small aperature and stacking?

Don, the 2nd son Loc: Crowded Florida

Pixljockey wrote:

Yep, both will be used, but the 28mm will probably yield the higher mag ratio. I'm just grateful to be able to use them again. Not sure if I'll be able to select the aperture, as the selector tab is now up front. Might have to figure out a hack for it. Maybe a shim or something. Also looking at a pretty cool focusing rail from newer, for focus stacking.

I put a slender Zip tie on my ap ring now I can feel the buckle to find the ring and position it, so many clicks to f/8, etc.

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

Pixljockey wrote:

So with the extension tubes, I imagine you’re able to get much higher mag ratio, is the DOF a problem? Can it be managed with a small aperature and stacking?

Yes. Stacking allows the user to achieve what is not otherwise possible. A lens is sharpest at a slightly wide aperture (f/6 or so. Depends on the lens), but there the dof is miniscule for close up/macro. But stacking gives you greatly extended dof. So you can build a super sharp high depth picture with this method.