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03/27/2014 06:06:32 AM · #1 |
Good morning DP addicts
I have found a really cool and very weird trick that actually works. I really want to post a picture of it, but I am not a full member yet. I am also a huge Pinterest addict as well and I was just cruising on it and came across this trick for photography, so I tried it with my lens last night.
I always wanted a good macro lens but I don't want splurge on one lens until I get the camera I really want.
The steps are copied from the site below (not my own wording because I talk backwards and I just tend to confuse poeple LOL):
There are four things you need to know about using this trick:
(1) Your camera won’t take a picture with the lens off unless you’re in manual mode. (2) The best focal length seems to be around 50mm, so either a 50mm prime or an 18-55mm kit lens would be perfect! (
3) Obviously, you lose autofocus since your lens isn’t attached to the camera. Focus is achieved by simply moving closer to or further away from the subject, and
(4) The camera can’t open up the aperture, so you’ll do it with your hand. On the back of the lens (the side you mount on the camera), move the little plastic slider piece that controls the aperture. If you look in the lens while doing it, you’ll see the hole open up.
Not sure if anyone else knew about this, but I didn't. I am in the remedial learning class still LOL
Have an awesome day! |
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03/27/2014 07:40:01 AM · #2 |
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03/27/2014 07:55:35 AM · #3 |
| Also note that part of this is specific to Nikon cameras, specifically with reference to the aperture lever. To clarify; with Nikon G lenses you can move the lever with your finger or essentially prop it into place. With Canon, you'll need to set your camera to Av mode, select aperture, press depth of field preview, and then remove the lens while it is still stopped down. |
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03/27/2014 07:57:41 AM · #4 |
I've played around with this a bit, even bought the ring to mount the lens in reverse, but never had much luck getting anything decent. The DoF is extremely narrow, and if you stop down the aperture to increase the DoF you need an absurd amount of light. Difficult when your subject is an inch away from your lens. Also not sure on Nikon, but my Canon body has a button I can press that locks the aperture, enabling you to take the lens off and reverse maintaining whatever aperture you set.
There's also extension tubes as a cheap macro method, but I haven't tried those. |
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03/27/2014 10:01:15 AM · #5 |
| .. And for even greater mag, try this: Reverse-mounting lens on another lens. Coupling rings are very easy to find on ebay. |
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03/27/2014 11:49:50 AM · #6 |
Originally posted by Dudski:
Coupling rings are very easy to find on ebay. |
I wish they were as easy to find in my house. I'm almost sure I bought one once. |
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03/27/2014 12:07:50 PM · #7 |
I love your enthusiasm, Julie!! What a great addition to DPC!
People have mentioned reversing the lens a number of times over the last number of years, but I loved your post, because it's the first time I've noticed this type of detail. I'd never looked into it because I have a 100mm macro lens that I love, but it was great fun seeing more of the ins and outs of the process.
Thanks! |
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03/27/2014 12:52:30 PM · #8 |
Fun to play with, but difficult. Here is one I did with a reversed lens (with a coupling ring) and an extension tube.
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03/27/2014 01:18:37 PM · #9 |
I love my reversing ring! It's attached to my 50mm at all times.
It solved a major dilemma of mine when I discovered it, because I could shoot with the 50mm (which I really liked), then see a pretty bug, and flip the 50mm over to get a macro of the bug! No digging around in the bag to find another lens, and then putting the other away. Meanwhile, the critter I wanted a macro of flutters off. Now, I just flip and shoot. It's my ideal walk-around lens for right now. I do get weird looks sometimes from other photographers though.
Here's one of my favorite photos I've taken with my flipped 50mm. It's a teeny tiny little spider on a galvanized ladder.
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03/27/2014 02:31:36 PM · #10 |
I have done this on a few occasions, but without the reversing ring. I simply hold my 50mm up to against the mounted lens (backwards) and move in reeaaal close. Focusing can be problematic, but shooting in burst mode can help when using natural light. The nice thing about this method is you don't need any extra equipment at all, but you might want to put a something soft between the front of the 50 and the glass on your mounted lens.
Here is an example.
Message edited by author 2014-03-27 19:04:45. |
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03/27/2014 03:27:40 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by aliqui:
I love my reversing ring! It's attached to my 50mm at all times.
It solved a major dilemma of mine when I discovered it, because I could shoot with the 50mm (which I really liked), then see a pretty bug, and flip the 50mm over to get a macro of the bug! No digging around in the bag to find another lens, and then putting the other away. Meanwhile, the critter I wanted a macro of flutters off. Now, I just flip and shoot. It's my ideal walk-around lens for right now. I do get weird looks sometimes from other photographers though.
Here's one of my favorite photos I've taken with my flipped 50mm. It's a teeny tiny little spider on a galvanized ladder.
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Hah, I do the same thing. permanently a part of my 50mm now. |
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03/27/2014 07:33:11 PM · #12 |
hahaha!!!!
General, yes, that is what it is!!
I have been having a blast playing with this new weird lens trick hahah!
Spirit, yes, it is specific to a Nikon because that is what I own at the moment which is a D60... I love it, but it does not have the features that I truly crave in a camera.. It doesn't have my rule of thirds grid, nor does it do HDR bracketing which I do have on my Sony Point and shoot and it is very addicting to me! I LOVE LOVE LOVE HDR bracketing.. I have been looking at the Nikon 7100 because it does 5 HDR Bracketing and the settings are just blowing me out of the water, I am falling in love with what that camera can do..
RC- I have noticed that as well.. my focusing has been really, really hard to get down.. especially with being on manual..
Dudski- I will have to try Ebay!!! LOL I am addicted and that is where I brought my telephoto sigma 70-300mm lens with Macro on it.. so I don't have those coupling rings at all!
I do not have a coupling ring or do I own a "tube" I have no idea what the extension tubes are yet LOL I have just gotten my feet wet with my first DLSR
hahaha Wendy! Thanks! for me, I get very excited about the littlest stupid stuff like this.. I find it and am like a kid in a toy store, I think my hubby is about ready to ground me from my camera because it is consistently hooked to my hands or hip LOLOLOL
Aliqui - I LOVE SPIDERS and those pictures!!! Very nice!!! Makes me want to play a bit and search for some more spiders for practice hahhaha
Overall, I have practiced a bit more with this, and I have been trying to shoot everything, now I have my dogs following me around hahahaha!
It is awesome isn't it? |
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03/27/2014 07:59:27 PM · #13 |
Originally posted by jgirl57:
Aliqui - I LOVE SPIDERS and those pictures!!! Very nice!!! Makes me want to play a bit and search for some more spiders for practice hahhaha
Overall, I have practiced a bit more with this, and I have been trying to shoot everything, now I have my dogs following me around hahahaha!
It is awesome isn't it? |
Thanks! I love spiders too... in photos. Sometimes I find myself getting too close to them when photographing them and freak myself out. That mainly happens with my 105mm with multiple extension tubes, oy! These little fluffy ones don't bother me much. They're cute, and they just kind of sit there and stare at you.
You can always turn your camera on the pups if they get too close! Macro pet noses are really cool too. My kitty's nose is blown up on canvas in the dining room.
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03/27/2014 08:22:53 PM · #14 |
hahahahaha awesome pic!!!
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03/28/2014 12:41:35 AM · #15 |
Originally posted by jgirl57:
Spirit, yes, it is specific to a Nikon because that is what I own at the moment which is a D60... I love it, but it does not have the features that I truly crave in a camera.. It doesn't have my rule of thirds grid, nor does it do HDR bracketing which I do have on my Sony Point and shoot and it is very addicting to me! I LOVE LOVE LOVE HDR bracketing.. I have been looking at the Nikon 7100 because it does 5 HDR Bracketing and the settings are just blowing me out of the water, I am falling in love with what that camera can do..
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Admittedly, it is disappointing that there is no bracketing on the d60, but it's honestly not that hard to accomplish manually. I usually shot in aperture priority, so if you do the same, I would suggest getting an image at base exposure, one at +3, and one at -3. If you shoot manual, you can do 1 stop steps. Then use your hdr software to combine them.
So far as the grid... you can crop a bit loose, but honestly I'd suggest just getting accustomed with visually knowing where a third is. Improving your inherent sense of composition and scale is NEVER a bad thing.
ETA: Never fall in love with with what a camera does for you. Always fall in love with what you can make it do. So long as you fall in love with what it does, you'll never appreciate the flexibility fully and you'll never truly understand how to achieve your end result. Decide what you want to do, learn how to do it. Do not use a camera as a crutch.
Message edited by author 2014-03-28 00:43:46. |
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03/28/2014 02:42:25 AM · #16 |
Originally posted by spiritualspatula:
Admittedly, it is disappointing that there is no bracketing on the d60, but it's honestly not that hard to accomplish manually. |
That's one of the limitations of my rebel I wish was better. I can do 3 shots, but for more I have to do it manually. Which is simple enough on a tripod, but when hand holding it's nice to just be able to quick fire away. My exposure meter only showing +-2 EV can be limiting as well. Really wish that went to 3. |
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03/28/2014 08:23:42 AM · #17 |
Spirit, that was a good comment to make and I appreciate that! Can you tell I am a noob>? LOL Which I am because I just got the D60 last month and its my first DLSR LOLOL
I have been just using and sticking with my Sony.. the manual HDR just frustrates the heck out of me and makes me want to throw my camera away.. doing it manually it always seems it doesn't line up when I use it that way...Matt that is one reason why I have not went to Canon, because I did not see that feature on those cameras yet. If the newer ones have it, I will look at those maybe.
ETA: Never fall in love with with what a camera does for you. Always fall in love with what you can make it do. So long as you fall in love with what it does, you'll never appreciate the flexibility fully and you'll never truly understand how to achieve your end result. Decide what you want to do, learn how to do it. Do not use a camera as a crutch. (AWESOME COMMENT! I love that.. (not sure how to quote others yet) LOL
Message edited by author 2014-03-28 08:25:07. |
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03/28/2014 08:36:27 AM · #18 |
 jgirl57 It's an awesome comment because Spat's an awesome bloke. Just ask, hmm, let me see....... anyone! :D |
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03/28/2014 10:50:05 AM · #19 |
Originally posted by pamb:
jgirl57 It's an awesome comment because Spat's an awesome bloke. Just ask, hmm, let me see....... anyone! :D |
The finest utensil in the kitchen, for sure. |
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03/28/2014 11:46:15 AM · #20 |
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04/02/2014 01:58:54 AM · #21 |
Originally posted by aliqui:
Originally posted by pamb:
jgirl57 It's an awesome comment because Spat's an awesome bloke. Just ask, hmm, let me see....... anyone! :D |
The finest utensil in the kitchen, for sure. |
You all are too kind :)
But I want to reiterate that yes, there are ALWAYS hardware limitations. But, there are ALMOST ALWAYS go arounds to fine another way. So don't assume you have to just pour more and more and more money in. There ARE circumstances you just need money and tech to solve, but most can be circumvented by creativity and technique.
Message edited by author 2014-04-02 12:59:59. |
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