Reverse lens macro shooting.

[Modzy]

Hi, I recently watched a video where someone was talking about how they shot some of their macro b-roll stills using a standard 18-55mm lens by reversing it. Now I'm a complete photography noob so chalked it up to something a lot more technical and didn't think twice about it. But when i later watched the behind the scenes footage i notice he was actually holding the lens against the body in reserve.  was it really this simply...

So i tried it with my 18-55mm lens on my Canon 650D and it worked... really really well. I had to take about 30 photos to find the right settings and make sure I got the subject correctly.

I did some reading up on it as well. 
http://www.eos-magazine.com/articles/macro/reversevision.html

 

This was my results. Normal then reverse.. not bad me thinks.

 

[vanished]

cool   I'll have to keep thin in mind, especially since the lens I use is not particularly good at focusing close, especially at the lower focal lengths...

[Modzy]

You can even buy reverse mounting hardware too. i might grab me one



https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=1050997&gclid=CjwKEAiA7ejCBRDlp8uF6ezPnjoSJAAPED7MCCLGRt9e66f2fm67mRboI4Lo61EWxtRMo3f9AHmtKxoCMF_w_wcB&is=REG&c3api=1876%2C52243848602%2C%2C&IWB=AU&Q=&A=details&pcur=ZAUD

[AkiraDaarkst]

You can also use extension tubes.  Kenko is a brand that makes extension tubes with electronic connections so that you still have access to AF and other lens' functionalities.

 

If you want super magnification macro, you can reverse mount two lenses.  One lens (like a 100mm'ish lens) you mount normally to the camera. Then you take a second lens (like a 50mm'ish lens) and reverse mount it to the front of the first lens.  You can even use extension tubes behind the normal mounted lens.

[thekillergazebo]

Now that just blew my mind. What about the electrostatic charge in the sensor? Would your sensor collect dust as soon as it turns on?

[AkiraDaarkst]

4 hours ago, thekillergazebo said:

Now that just blew my mind. What about the electrostatic charge in the sensor? Would your sensor collect dust as soon as it turns on?

There's at least one filter on top of the sensor, some cameras have a second glass panel (the ultrasonic dust system) that also acts as a filter.  So any dust that gets into the sensor chamber doesn't actually fall on the sensor itself.

 

The first filter is a hot mirror filter that tries to reduce IR and UV wavelengths, does some anti-aliasing (some models have a modified filter that does not do AA or reverses it, like the Nikon D800E and D810).  Early digital cameras had no such filters, older cameras like the Nikon D70 had weak IR and UV cutting hot mirror filters, newer models have stronger IR and UV blocking hot mirror filters making them worse for IR photography without conversion.  The hot mirror filter is not exactly one single layer of glass or whatever material used to make it.  They can be multiple layers bonded together.

 

On some cameras the ultrasonic dust removal (dust reduction filter) system is integrated to the hot mirror filter.  On other cameras, the ultrasonic dust removal system is attached to another transparent glass panel that sits on top of the hot mirror filter.  This dust reduction filter can also act to block UV and IR wavelengths.

 

Here you can see images of two filters inside the D800.

https://www.lifepixel.com/tutorials/infrared-diy-tutorials/life-pixel-nikon-d800-diy-digital-infrared-conversion-tutorial

 

Dust reduction filter, with the wire connected to the mechanism that creates the ultrasonic vibrations.

 

Hot mirror filter

 

If you have a very very old or broken DSLR on hand, just open it up.

[thekillergazebo]

Dam I never knew that. I think the Sony cameras have an ultra sonic cleaner. That makes me feel a little better about cleaning them now. Haven't had to clean a sensor yet. Well only needed an air blower so far.

[AkiraDaarkst]

Just now, thekillergazebo said:

Dam I never knew that. I think the Sony cameras have an ultra sonic cleaner. That makes me feel a little better about cleaning them now. Haven't had to clean a sensor yet. Well only needed an air blower so far.

I believe on cameras like the D6#00 and A7 series, in order to make the camera body as "thin" as possible they combine the hot mirror and dust reduction filter.  The dust reduction system does a good job most of the time and a simple air blower is sufficient, but of course it can't handle really "sticky" dust.

 

A6300