random tip of the day: Macro without a macro lens
08-04-2010, 07:57 AM
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 588
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
random tip of the day: Macro without a macro lens
this isn't anything new but after talking to any relative newbie with a DSLR, nobody seems to know this trick. so i just figured i would post it up. if it's something new for at least one person, then great 
so far i've tried this with an 18-55 kit lens and 50mm 1.8. simply take your lens and hold it up to the camera body backwards (with the lens mount facing out). on the kit lens (for Nikon anyways) you will have to hold the aperture ring open with your finger. you can find the little tab that adjusts this around the mount on the lens. on the 50mm 1.8, this can be adjusted manually with the ring on the lens so it's quite a bit easier. i would recommend opening up the aperture to it's widest so it lets in a lot of light. make sure the camera is on Manual mode. you will have to experiment with shutter and ISO. start with a focal length of 50mm. the smaller the focal length number, the more zoomed in (and shaky) the image will be so 50mm is a good learning point. now hold your camera up to the subject, physically move back and forth to focus (the focusing ring will not work for this) and snap away.
i hope this makes sense. see below for a couple pics i've taken. and here for a decent tutorial
(though contrary to this tutorial, i only used a single lens for my photos) http://stephenelliot.com/2007/05/15/revers...raphy-tutorial/
so far i've tried this with an 18-55 kit lens and 50mm 1.8. simply take your lens and hold it up to the camera body backwards (with the lens mount facing out). on the kit lens (for Nikon anyways) you will have to hold the aperture ring open with your finger. you can find the little tab that adjusts this around the mount on the lens. on the 50mm 1.8, this can be adjusted manually with the ring on the lens so it's quite a bit easier. i would recommend opening up the aperture to it's widest so it lets in a lot of light. make sure the camera is on Manual mode. you will have to experiment with shutter and ISO. start with a focal length of 50mm. the smaller the focal length number, the more zoomed in (and shaky) the image will be so 50mm is a good learning point. now hold your camera up to the subject, physically move back and forth to focus (the focusing ring will not work for this) and snap away.
i hope this makes sense. see below for a couple pics i've taken. and here for a decent tutorial
(though contrary to this tutorial, i only used a single lens for my photos) http://stephenelliot.com/2007/05/15/revers...raphy-tutorial/
08-09-2010, 09:47 AM
#6
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 588
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by HonCBRf2,Aug 5 2010, 04:13 PM
it actually works better if you can find a step down ring to attach your lenses together...