Experimenting with unexpensive reverse mount macro adaptor ring (how-to and 16 sample images)

I guess everyone knows that proper photography equipment costs a fortune. From my many experiments I know that if something doesn't cost much, then the results are usually the same, I mean I get what I pay for. In terms of quality, this is 99% true, I would say.

However, we don't always search for the maximum quality. We don't always need it either.
I am a slave to the idea work should be fun. I use to work for money and "respect" for too long in my previous profession. But hey, once we realize money isn't out top priority, life becomes much better and much more colorful and fun to be in!

So this week I've decided to play with this small bugger I am keeping in my hand to show you where it goes. It's purpose is to hold the lens steady attached to the body of your camera while the lens is mounted in reverse.

By the way, isn't my custom camera strap a nice touch? :) I love it.

So check out how the reverse mount ring works in that snap:

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The ring has its specific size equal to the thread size of the lens filter. Usually one of those costs few bucks, sets of 3 or 4 rings with different sizes cost about ten USD. Quite affordable, right? A proper macro lens would cost few hundred USD, at least. Of course, if you search for professionally looking sharp images to sell in full size... forget about the rings :)

I would also recommend to have a protective adapter as well, because otherwise there is a big risk to introduce dust on the camera matrix once the lens is mounted back in its original direction if not cleaned up, of course.

It was a sunny day outside so I took a picnic blanket and started to look around for interesting details and colors and crawl. Another specific of this technique is that there is focus only in the central parts of the lens, so any in-camera composition is hardly possible. Moreover, the depth of field is parts of the millimeter, so I had to hold the camera as steady as possible with both of my hands. I would definitely use a tripod if this as an indoor activity.

Here come the sample photos.

A pigeon feather if you're wondering:
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Early spring garden grass:
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Our cat Blacky came to check me out what I am doing laying on the grass and he gladly joined the photo shoot:

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Check out how lovely this magnification works:

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Now the same photo zoomed-in, do you see the microscopic "stars" on his nostrils? A Pro macro lens would never do that. Imagine that picture printed ;)

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I was even lucky to manage to create a selfie, do you see me, hehhe:

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More plants, of course, we've been waiting for too long for those lovely colors:

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This is some sort of a cocoon I found on a tree trunk:

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5mm snail shell:

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Another member of our big fat cat family winking at you:

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Old leaf:

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Tiny flower:

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The butt of a green fly in normal and full zoom modes in the next two photos:

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Those look like the stabilizers of the back of a jet plane, huh? :)

Another fly was happy to be a model as well:

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I've kept few other images from this improvised photo-shoot that I am going to release as editorial for Hive if you think you could use them for your writings and posts here. So keep an eye on the "Stock Images" community, @hive-118554 and subscribe to it if you haven't so far ;)

Any questions, I'd be glad to answer. Your feedback is always much appreciated, both positive or negative! :)


Copyright: Damian Hadjiyvanov, Light Captured


My photo site: https://hadjiyvanov.com/


For licensing my photos, please drop me a message on Discord: lightcaptured#2698

Thank you for all the support!

Have a great photo! :P


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26 comments
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Bang, I did it again... I just rehived your post!
Week 49 of my contest just started...you can now check the winners of the previous week!
!BEER
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That is amazing post!
Love these macros and you gave some good advices!
Thanks for sharing...

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Thanks a bunch! I would love to see experiments by other photo lovers here as well. Actually the same effect could be achieved by just holding the lens reversed to the camera body with no ring, but then I can't keep the camera steady and also, the factor of the dust coming into the camera body and sticking to the sensor becomes significant :)

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I don't yet own an expensive macro lens, so all my macro shots are from a reverse ring. I also found and purchased a powered reverse rig that connects to both sides of the lens allowing me to use all camera functions with the lens reversed. ( auto focus, aperture control etc.) It also has a channeled ring at the end that allows me to attach a ring light as well.

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Oh, that sounds interesting but I suspect its price would be getting closes to an affordable macro lens?
I have rented and tested Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 L Macro IS USM and I love it. It is so easy to work with and the quality of the pics is amazing. Also, it is pretty good for portraits too. I have heard that it is the favorite lens of the dentists :D

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Cool shots. I love the sparkles on the nose.

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Indeed :) When I zoom in, everywhere there is enough light, I see them. They are so adorable and not able to do with the "normal" use of the lens :)

Thank you :)
!wine

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Really cool images. I love how soft they are around the focus point too. Very nice!

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Thank you :) It's hard to get a focus most of the times and I deleted probably 80% of the photos I took but that's part of the magic, isn't it :)

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You got some great results! i tried my hand once at this type of photography but without an inversing ring. I think it's called freelensing. Got some interesting results but you need a really steady hand for that.

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Thank you :) I've tried freelensing as well but I don't like it due to the increased chance of filling my camera body with dust. With the camera mounted on a tripod, indoors, it works pretty well ;) The positive side is you could try all your lenses and then decide what ring to buy ;)

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Yeah, you're right, dust is a problem. I had a Canon 550D and wasn't using it too much so I thought I'd give it a try. Now, with my mirrorless camera I wouldn't have the courage to try it :))

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Lovely! I have a 550D as well and I have plans to turn it into an infrared camera if Hive keeps its value above USD 0.50, LMAO

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Haha, had the same thought after experimenting with an IR720 infrared filter but ended up giving it away as a present to someone who wanted to learn photography

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Oh, yes, it's a great entry level DSLR, perfect for learning and experimenting :)

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