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FramedByNature — Reverse Macro Tutorial
Published: 2009-08-10 21:55:50 +0000 UTC; Views: 87540; Favourites: 976; Downloads: 705
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Description
Reverse MacroSome people have never even heard about this technique. Others know what it is, but don't know how to do it. I made this tutorial this afternoon in hopes to answer any questions.
Hope it helps!
[edit]
For maximum magnification, use your minimum focal length (i.e. 18mm, if your lens is 18-55mm). Incredible results!
You can also pick up something called a "reversin ring" to make shooting a whole lot easier! Basically a filter that screws onto the end of your lens and allows you to mount it to your camera body [link] Super cheap and it makes things much easier
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Comments: 567
hey i got nikon d5000 too and i have the exact same problem (i try to shoot with M mode). did u manage to fix it? if so, how?
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I managed to get something; but it's a light problem. I've found that lens is very dark. Basically, either have really bright lighting and a slow shutter speed, or whack up the ISO and have bright light. I was very excited to find out that this works!
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Scratch that! Just read a comment below about the light; it was just dark, it wasn't that it didn't work. Thanks for saving me lots of money on a new lens! =]
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Glad you got it to work!
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I think you can do it with Nikon but it requires a few tricks. Not sure what these are since I haven't shot with a Nikon, but it sounds like usually the screen appears too dark.
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Saw the technique online in a few places while searching for cheap macro alternatives.
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wow..thanks a lot, i never know how to deal with such a thin depth of field when reversing lens till i read ur tutorial..really helpful
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OMG this is great! I guess it's the cheapest way to shoot macro 
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Can always use a higher ISO or brighter lighting whenever possible! Also helps if you brace your camera against something, like a windowsill or table
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It's a little tougher with Nikon, had a few people report only seeing a black screen, but that may be a simple exposure in some cases. I've never shot with a Nikon but I don't see why it wouldn't work
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Its doesn't fit...! :/
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The lens won't actually "fit" unless you buy a reversing ring, which allows the lens to mount backwards.
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wow i tried this with my canon 600d and a 18-135mm lens, and it worked flawlessly! thanks so so much!
i got a question; when you do this reverse stuff, do you always hold the lens with your hand? or is there something to like attach the lens?
thanks again. this saved me lots of money haha.
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You can buy a reversing ring on ebay for $5-10. They're very helpful and I highly recommend one
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really a great tutorial. thanks you so much for this.
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I just tried it thanks to you. And it's better then my macro stackable lenses!
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I'm one of the ones who had never heard of this. Thank you SO MUCH for this! I am beyond excited to use this technique!
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No problem! Hope it helps
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sorry to be posting on an older dev like this....i have a sony alpha 330, and when i take the lens off and turn it around, hold it to the body and try to take a shot it says "no lens attached, shutter is locked"
does that happen with the canon?
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Doesn't happen on my Canon. Typically it will give me a warning, but it does allow you to continue shooting. Or it will say no lens is attached, but you can still take photos, even if it shuts the live view on the LCD off.
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By using the DOF preview button, you will lessen the amount of light entering the lens, and the viewing area too since the aperture diaphragm is stuck at the higher f-stops. This would normally result into extremely underexposed and even pitch-black images.
However, this could be easily overcome by activating your popup flash, or better yet an external flash. A diffuser is needed most of the time in popup flash though since the lens barrel tends to block the light of the flash in closer working distances, it also tends to create very harsh lighting. Fortunately you don't need to spend a lot on a diffuser; you could easily make some with styrofoam or a white piece of paper/cardboard.
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Thanks for the tip
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Thank you so much for this! I didn't even know you could do this!! 
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No problem! Hope it works for you. It takes a ton of practice but it's worth it
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I have heard of this, but never tryed. I will give it a go... but first I will vacuum the whole area
Thanks for the tutorial!
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Best of luck
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Like ~Memoriel , all I get is a black image; I am working with a nikon D70. I'll try asap with a borrowed canon, but is there any reason it didn't work with the nikon? Also, the aperture seems unchangeable when the lens is off (shutter speed ok, on manual mode).
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Aperture can't be changed once the lens is off. At least for my camera, you have to select yoru aperture before removing the lens. Then you'll notice a slight shift in the depth of field. It could be possible that Nikon simply doesn't allow shooting without a lens on. I know you can't be shooting in auto, but other than that, I'm not sure what the problem with Nikon is
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I attempted pressing the DOF button as I took the lense off (I have never heard of this button before, I must read up on it..) but my problem remains- it seems the camera is completely blocked by the backwards lense. Ach well...
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I tried this with nikon D80 with a 18-135mm lens. At first it was just black - the lens automatically closes when it is removed from camera. But then i found little plastic detail (on the side of the lens which normally has to be in camera) which can be pushed and pushing it opens the lens and here you are - no black image, you see things macro. But still there's the same problem - camera is blocked when it is without lens. However, i don't know how i managed to shoot one picture with reverse lens.. now i'm trying to repeat it but camera is blocked and does nothing when i push the shutter button...
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A minute after writing this i found out how! You have to push the little metal button with the lens on the bottom of that circle on camera where the lens is attached and the shutter works!
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my picture is whoooole dark.. doesnt matter where i point, even if directly at the lamp, or whatever. T__T
i have nikon... d90
though would have sounded nice if i could do sth like this.
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Not sure why but Nikon really has problems with this. Don't think it allows shooting without a lens attached. Makes sense, but annoying
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It's just a way to make your depth of field slightly less shallow. Not sure if you can do it if your camera doesn't have a DoF preview button (near the lens removal button)
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na i get it and i actually have t1i, it was kind of an inside thought, cuz bonus 1 and 2 are the same idea, i thought they were different points XD, nvm tho, awesome tutorial
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I tried that, my camera would not start up with the lens properly in place =/
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