Reversing your Prime 50mm Lens
I have found a fun way to use a 50mm prime lens on my 40D.
Remove the lens from the camera and reverse it. Here’s a helpful tutorial that I found today on the net which may help. I didn’t use a reverse ring, but it worked out just the same.
A word of caution though, be very conscious that you are removing the lens and may expose your camera insides to dust etc so don’t leave the camera lying around without a cap.
Here are some of the images that I have taken.
This one could have been sharper but I rather liked the softness combined with the DoF.
Give it a go, it’s a great way to expand your existing equipment momentarily without the expense of a new lens.
Jazzyjane
This is really interesting! Your results have been fantastic and I might give it a go myself sometime. Thanks Lorraine.
Lorraine Creagh replied
Have fun JJ.
Wendy Slee
wow….most interesting….. I Love your leaf collage and all those beautiful earthy tones!! (oh and of course one of my all time faves, the lavendar…....) I will certainly look into the whole reversal thing…. lol
Lorraine Creagh replied
Thanks Wendy. I have so much lavender at the moment. Lovely time of year.
bidkev
Clever girl :)
kev
Lorraine Creagh replied
Not really! Where have you been. Long time since I’ve seen your face!
Vicki Ferrari
Looking forward to giving it a go Lorraine! :)) Ta mate!
Lorraine Creagh replied
You’re welcome Vicki. Love the see the results. =D
bidkev
It’s a long story….......Drama at th’ mill :-)
kev
Lorraine Creagh replied
Oh dear!!!
Karin Taylor
i have no clue what your doing….but i love it Lorraine!!! lol
rjcolby
Did a similar thing many years ago, using a Minolta 35mm, Bellows and 135mm lens reversed. The reversing ring was made from a plastic body cap glued to a filter ring. Bellew controlled magnification, and the rig was mounted onto a rack and pinyon plate so finely controlled forward and bad movement controlled focus, with light provided by a pair of small electronic flashes hung out on the far end of the lens, to “see” around the the rather large lens. All shooting on 35mm color slide film so exposure was really hit or miss, and learning was rather slow.
Now it’s a 100mm macro lens on the 50D. Life’s sweet.
Lorraine Creagh replied
Gosh I can see why you felt that the purchase of a 100mm macro was a good move. Definitely, in my opinion, it is a better option. Your ‘macro make-do’ would have been so awkward to cart around and use.
I do, however, find it fun to experiment with the equipment that I have and see what I can come up with. I’m not suggesting that reversing the 50mm lens as being a good substitute for the 100 macro. For a start the quality of the lenses are not in any comparable. It’s all for fun. ;-)
Agnes McGuinness
Thank you for this Lorraine. I must give it a go. Will have to dust the house first though. LOL. Agnes xx
Lorraine Creagh replied
haha…those little sensors really hate the dust.
Agnes McGuinness
p.s. Your images turned out beautiful. xx
Lorraine Creagh replied
Thanks :-)
CheriesArt
Your photographs are amazingly beautiful!
Lorraine Creagh replied
Thanks so much. The detail in these dead flower heads can only be appreciated when viewed very close. They are like delicate pieces of lace
robpixaday
CONGRATULATIONS!! Your work has been featured in the Experimental Group!
Lorraine Creagh replied
Thanks so much for this. I hope others have fun experimenting with their equipment.
robpixaday
You’re welcome; it was a pleasure! I was fascinated by the information. Thank you for sharing it!!!!!