Macro effect of reversed lenses? Does anyone know if there is a formula for calculating the macro effect of reversed lenses? I'm wanting to purchase a reversing adaptor but don't know...

jackm1943 Loc: Omaha, Nebraska

Does anyone know if there is a formula for calculating the macro effect of reversed lenses? I'm wanting to purchase a reversing adaptor but don't know for which lens I should get one. Way back when, I used a 50mm reversed on the end of a 100mm lens, it worked quite well I thought, but this time I'm looking to just reverse a single lens on my full frame camera.

Thanks.

rwilson1942 Loc: Houston, TX

http://extreme-macro.co.uk/extreme-macro-reversed-lenses/#calculator

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

The kit I have came with the body mount and various diameter rings for the lenses.

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

The shorter the focal length, the greater the magnification but the closer the lens is to the subject as well. Thus there is a chance of damaging the lenses rear element if it should contact the subject. Nikon made a BR3 that was meant to be used with a filter in order to protect the rear element, only in 52mm thread size though. I just looked for my BR2a instructions as that had a chart of magnifications according to lens focal length, but I can't find it, Sorry ...

jackm1943 wrote:

Does anyone know if there is a formula for calculating the macro effect of reversed lenses? I'm wanting to purchase a reversing adaptor but don't know for which lens I should get one. Way back when, I used a 50mm reversed on the end of a 100mm lens, it worked quite well I thought, but this time I'm looking to just reverse a single lens on my full frame camera.

Thanks.

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

jackm1943 wrote:

Does anyone know if there is a formula for calculating the macro effect of reversed lenses? I'm wanting to purchase a reversing adaptor but don't know for which lens I should get one. Way back when, I used a 50mm reversed on the end of a 100mm lens, it worked quite well I thought, but this time I'm looking to just reverse a single lens on my full frame camera.

Thanks.

Personally I use a 28mm on extension tubes... by itself it is just under 2:1 and on a full set of tubes my magnification is about 3:1. BTW I use old Olympus lenses because they have a stop down button on the lens itself so I can focus wide open and press the button for the shot.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

Screamin Scott wrote:

The shorter the focal length, the greater the magnification but the closer the lens is to the subject as well. Thus there is a chance of damaging the lenses rear element if it should contact the subject. Nikon made a BR3 that was meant to be used with a filter in order to protect the rear element, only in 52mm thread size though. I just looked for my BR2a instructions as that had a chart of magnifications according to lens focal length, but I can't find it, Sorry ...

There are too many lenses in the chart to list them all here, but it ranges from 3.4X for 20mm to 1.1X for a 50mm lens. For magnifications over 1X I like to reverse a lens on extension tubes or a bellows.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

rwilson1942 wrote:

http://extreme-macro.co.uk/extreme-macro-reversed-lenses/#calculator

This is the best resource for “extreme macro”—I have had several internet “conversations” with JoHan. Extremely knowledgeable—and an all-around great resource.

This link should be in every macrophotographers’ resource folder.

agillot

i use a 50 mm in reverse with a reversing ring [ ebay ], but directly on the camera , all manual , you focus by changing the distance to the subject , you are very close to subject .pictures are sharp and distortion free .a old pentax manual has a few pages on that technic .you have to work at f22 , for depth of field .

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

jackm1943 wrote:

Does anyone know if there is a formula for calculating the macro effect of reversed lenses? I'm wanting to purchase a reversing adaptor but don't know for which lens I should get one. Way back when, I used a 50mm reversed on the end of a 100mm lens, it worked quite well I thought, but this time I'm looking to just reverse a single lens on my full frame camera.

Thanks.

I do know the magnifying amount of a lot of my lenses when reversed and put on a bellows, but I'm not aware of the formula. I also use reversed lenses straight on the camera (instead of - in front of another lens), and I do get good results. I do have older Pentax lenses for this as well, and I can use any aperture I like!

cochese

Why not just invest in a macro lens?

twowindsbear

I googled this search term:

reverse lens macro magnification calculation

and got LOTS of hits. You may find a formula there.

Good luck!

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

cochese wrote:

Why not just invest in a macro lens?

This is why, a macro lens can't take these pics without some help, there are things that you can do with a macro lens that will get you to about 2:1 reproduction, there are specialty macro lenses that will get you to 5:1, but the rig I used for these pics cost about $35. I have an expensive macro lens that I seldom use.

(Download)

Laura72568 Loc: Anderson TX

Amazing!

jackm1943 Loc: Omaha, Nebraska

cochese wrote:

Why not just invest in a macro lens?

LOL! I recently traded in my Canon 100mm macro for a new Tamron macro (which I really like). I have a set of automatic extension tubes. I have a macro bellows set. I have a 4-way macro focusing rail. I have a two-element Canon macro filter. I have two new macro flashes (Yongnuo 14 and 24) as well as two or three older film era ring flashes. I have Zerene software as well as CC. So...I have invested quite a lot already in macro phototography. As noted in one of the above comments, all this equipment cannot do the extreme closeups I would like to try in the future.

Back in the 35mm days, I did try a reversed 28mm on my Pentax and it gave great magnification, but I wasn't able properly light the subjects. I want to give it another try in digital. I have several enlarging lenses that I no longer use in my darkroom, and I am considering trying to rig those up for my camera also.

jackm1943 Loc: Omaha, Nebraska

Thank you everyone who responded. All this info has been very helpful and makes me appreciate all the more those who are able to create some of those beautiful extreme macro shots posted in the macro section.
JackM