Reverse lens macro using hand-held kit lens

[kiankheong]

Oh boy, oh boy, I'm so elated! :run_away::run_away::run_away:

This is a continuation from the previous thread: Brown moth - stretching the capability of my kit lens (http://www.shutterasia.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4943)

ST suggested handholding my kit lens and today I have the chance to try it out. And it works! :D

A very small white moth (wingspan less than 1.5 cm) was resting on my door. Again I don't know why moths love to rest on my main door. :?

1. Taken the normal way at 55 mm using in-camera direct flash - maximum cropping.
http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/5015/dsc8968copy01th2.jpg

2. Reversed kit lens with direct-flash (SB-600 at manual exposure) - minimally cropped.
http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/1126/dsc8991copy01ri4.jpg

3. Reversed kit lens with bounced flash (SB-600 at manual exposure) - no cropping.
http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/3508/dsc9001copy01na6.jpg

4. Reversed kit lens with bounced flash (SB-600 at manual exposure) - minimally cropped.
http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/699/dsc9006copy01hb0.jpg

My thoughts:

Advantages:
1. It's certainly possible to do macrophotography using hand-held reversed kit lens.
2. Can travel with one lens. Kit lens becomes more useful, never to underestimate it.
3. If the handheld lens is not parallel to the CCD, then the perspective of certain portion of the frame is distorted. This effect may enhance an image just like the bellows of MF and lensbaby lenses.


Weakness:
1. My index finger became sore as a result of continuously pressing the aperture lever.
2. Exposure is an issue. Cannot use in-camera pop up flash (only TTL mode) as the the camera was unable to detect the distance of the subject.
3. Which means you need to have a flashgun, SB600 works fine in my case.
4. Focusing was a hit and miss. I had to place my camera on a tripod, and just tilt the camera forward or backward to focus. Advisable to shoot continuously.
5. Better to leave the UV filter on the front part of the lens to prevent accidental scratching by the lens mount.

Once again, thanks ST! It was a great suggestion. :partyon:

[joyce]

You jampi the moth come to your house issit? lucky you! :P

[atim]

hello kiankheong ,

sorry to ask , i just cant imagine how you setup the lens..

izzit mean , u used 50mm lense and hand held kits lens..??

sorry just a simple question..just to make sure izzit it right..

anyhwre nice capture..

[kiankheong]

Thanks for highliting, and error corrected.

I'm using the only lens I have, kit lens: 18-55mm.

The lens was positioned at the 55mm end, and hand-held it in reverse against the camera mount.

You are welcome to ask more questions. :)

[atim]

thanks ,
im really want to try this technique..

anywhere how distance should it set among the kit lense and camera..??

thanks anywhere.. :)

[kiankheong]

Distance between kit-lens front element to camera mount: 0 cm.

The kit lens was held against the camera mount, in reversed order. Make sure that you have a filter in order to to scratch your front element against the lens mount on the camera.

Distance between kit-lens back element to subject: around 5 cm.

[goldfries]

yup. i tried before too. it works fine.

[atim]

hi goldfries , kiankheong

i have tried this technique a couple times , but all my result goes wrong..
my pictures are totally underexposer...

can you share your setting??appearture..shutter speed?
or im missing a step on doing this technique?...:?

[kiankheong]

Shutter speed was set at 1/60s to reduce possibility of camera shake. If you have a tripod, you can shoot at slower shutter speed.

As the aperture ring is at wide open, aperture value is pretty fixed, so don't trust the exif in my pictures. :P

Exposure is ultimately controlled by the flash output (manual). The right exposure was determined through trial and error.

:)