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01/19/2010 03:46:45 PM · #1 |
I would love to be able to take shots like this:
//www.flickr.com/photos/24685723@N05/3785402961/
: )
So I've done a bit of research but also have a few questions.
1. How do you calculate the magnification? So say I had a 28mm lens (like the one used in that shot) and a 50mm lens and some extension tubes, how do I get say 5:1 from each?
2. Is that Pentax 28mm lens cheap second hand? Will it reverse and fit onto my D300? Where can I source the parts needed to do this?
3. If not, what is a cheap Nikon alternative?
4. When reversing lenses is there anything I need to be aware of? How dod you keep the back (now the front) protected from dust and dirt?
5. When taking shots of things that move, how do you focus stack? Especially if not using a tripod?
Anything else you can think of? |
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01/19/2010 04:18:07 PM · #2 |
Yes you can use any manufactures lens on your Nikon. The adaptor has a bayonet connection on one side and threaded connection on the other. You purchase the thread size needed for your lens. Here is one sample of a Nikon ring.
//www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/37174-REG/Nikon_2631_BR_5_Mount_Adapter_Ring.html
The drawback is no electronic connection or aperture connection, therefore with "G" lenses you are not able to adjust aperture. And you need different rings or step-up rings for different thread size lenses. You can use the rear lens cap for protection when you are not shooting. For this amount of magnification a tripod is very helpful and a focusing rail is even better. This is a cheap way to get into macro with out having to buy an expensive macro lens |
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01/19/2010 05:49:32 PM · #3 |
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01/19/2010 08:27:17 PM · #4 |
Get the 60mm f2.8 Nikon Micro... $350 - $500 on ebay. I had this lens and I also have extention tubes. The lens is WAAAAAAY better than any extention tubes or reverse lensing.
Of course if money is the issue, I'd go with the "expensive" tubes that will meter and autofocus.
Originally posted by rob_smith:
I would love to be able to take shots like this:
//www.flickr.com/photos/24685723@N05/3785402961/
: )
So I've done a bit of research but also have a few questions.
1. How do you calculate the magnification? So say I had a 28mm lens (like the one used in that shot) and a 50mm lens and some extension tubes, how do I get say 5:1 from each?
2. Is that Pentax 28mm lens cheap second hand? Will it reverse and fit onto my D300? Where can I source the parts needed to do this?
3. If not, what is a cheap Nikon alternative?
4. When reversing lenses is there anything I need to be aware of? How dod you keep the back (now the front) protected from dust and dirt?
5. When taking shots of things that move, how do you focus stack? Especially if not using a tripod?
Anything else you can think of? |
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01/19/2010 09:44:53 PM · #5 |
Originally posted by rob_smith:
I would love to be able to take shots like this:
//www.flickr.com/photos/24685723@N05/3785402961/
: )
5. When taking shots of things that move, how do you focus stack? Especially if not using a tripod?
Anything else you can think of? |
My guess is that the photographer in the photo you linked to used a tripod and focusing rail and the spider didn't move. It was probably a stare down and the photographer had time to move the camera/lens another mm or 2 forward or back to be able to get the needed DOF. If the photographer needed to readjust size or proportion because of movement, then the transform tool could be used. |
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01/19/2010 10:24:01 PM · #6 |
| Great tutorial on macro photography. |
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01/19/2010 10:38:04 PM · #7 |
It was just a dam big spider. : P
 Basic editing in iPhoto.
This shot was done with a 24mm Nikkor Ai, and 11mm extension ring, all manual settings. With the ext ring, the aperture in the older Ai lenses works just as it would directly on the camera. I was probably touching the flower with the front of the camera, as this set up gives only about 4 inches of range with the lens set at infinity. The monopod allowed me to shoot with one hand, and the self timer helps with camera movement. Manually triggering the shutter shakes the camera, even on a tripod.
If you have at least one Nikon Ai, or D series lenses, you might like trying extension tubes. They can be used with most all of the older Nikkor lenses, even long telephotos for closer focusing.
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01/20/2010 06:39:14 AM · #8 |
Consider the 50mm 1.8 for the job. That's what I got my first 50mm for, and I got it for only $30 on Craigslist (it's in immaculate shape too). It's the 50mm 1.8 E Series (it is manual focus only, but this doesn't matter so much with macro, where you can change the distance of your camera to subject for focus). I used it with some Kenko extension tubes and liked it very much. The extension tubes can be used with my other lenses as well, and I can use different combinations of them to achieve various effects. I would strongly strongly recommend you get an SC-28 or equivalent to get your flash off camera, and either build a diffuser or buy one. Using flash will enable you to stop down more for increased DoF and still let you work handheld if you're careful.
I'd also recommend you check out Lord V's photos and, more importantly, his many explanations for how to achieve what he has on the cheap. |
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01/20/2010 08:13:47 AM · #9 |
I wouldn't spend too much money, you're quickly going to find that method cumbersome. You can use lenses you already have (zooms work). The ring to connect them together is cheap, but you don't actually need one ... just hold one lens in front of the other reversed. You're going to need a lot of light (external flash held really close).
extension tubes are much easier to work with |
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01/20/2010 09:08:36 AM · #10 |
Yes money is the issue, so extension tubes it is. I had a go at holding the 50mm reversed at the end of the extension tubes last night, worked pretty well. I already have off camera flash, so all I need now is a reversing ring.
I was only going to use one lens and the tubes, what is the advantage of using two lenses?
Also does anyone know the magnification calculation using a 50mm reversed and some extension tubes?
Olyuzi, the photographer does not use a tripod or a focusing rail, he shoots handheld. No idea how he focus stacks doing this. This is Thomas Shahan's set up, although he rarely uses the belows, normally just the extension tubes.
//www.flickr.com/photos/7539598@N04/2545298333 |
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01/20/2010 09:18:29 AM · #11 |
Though I've never specifically tried it, I don't think it would be that difficult to leave your focal point where it is with the camera on manual focus and move the camera ever so closer to your subject. When you're at 1:1 the difference in distance will be minimal and you can just crop off the excess from the further away shot.
ETA: I have done focus stacking, and the size of the image did change slightly anyway, so the difference (to me) between using the focusing ring and just moving the camera a millimeter or two closer is negligible.
As far as the actual magnification you get, it will depend upon how long your extension tubes are. I dredged a bit and came up with this site with some formulas, though I'm not sure of their veracity for calculating magnification ratios.calculating magnification ratios
Before I forget, you will not have infinity focus when using extension tubes.
ETA: another site with some math to determine magnification ratios
Message edited by author 2010-01-20 09:29:11. |
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01/20/2010 09:28:16 AM · #12 |
| I'd love to take those kinds of shots, too. But one minor problem. I can't get close to a freaky looking spider, like that, without squealing like a little girl. For me, spiders = bad! |
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01/20/2010 10:10:26 AM · #13 |
if you have extension tubes, you don't need to reverse another lens ... although reversing another lens increases the magnification (roughly speaking, i think, 100mm with a reversed 50mm is equivalent to 2:1 macro)
focus is achieved by just rocking your body ever so slightly back and forth until it looks in focus (you should be at like f/16 and 1/200 and let the flash take of the amount of light required for proper exposure)
ps ... those spiders sit pretty still usually, you can often touch them in the face before they scurry away
extension tube shots:
     
Message edited by author 2010-01-20 10:17:56. |
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01/20/2010 10:26:05 AM · #14 |
I use one of these, with Nikon mount, and it does a good job with macro.
Vivitar 2X Macro Focusing Telextender
The only downside with it is that it makes the lens assembly long enough that the shadow of the lens gets in the pix when using on cam flash. That is partly because the focusing distance can be close enough that the lens almost surrounds the subject. With a 15mm fisheye, it can focus on an object touching the front element of the lens. It's also about as good as a Nikon 2X when used with a tele lens as well.
I have Micro Nikkors 55mm and 105mm 2.8's as well. The 55mm f3.5's can be found on eBay for under $100 sometimes. I have a couple of those and have them loaned to friends.
Here is a shot done with the 2x hand held. The subject was against the front element. I think that this was shot at f5.6 or 8, so DOF is pretty shallow.
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