Macro reversing adapter

[kaiser]

Am I correct in assuming that the Nikon BR-2A reversing adapter is only useful for lens with a 52mm filter thread? The two lenses I wanted to use are both 58mm filter thread.

Would it still work if I used a step down ring to mount a 58mm lens to the 52mm adapter or will that cause problems?

If that is not possible then I guess I'm left witht he option of reversing two lens using a reversing coupler ring. What would be a good combination of lenses to use? 135 + 50 / 35 or 58/35?

cheers

[Speedway]

Try here (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/58mm-Macro-Reverse-Adapter-Ring-Nikon-D300-D700-D80-/310241765872?pt=AU_Cameras_Photographic_Accessories&hash=item483bd9a9f0)
Keith.

[kaiser]

Thanks Keith. Although the item is titled 58mm, in the description it is described as a 52mm. I am guessing that 52mm is a limitation of the F mount size?

While I was waiting, I decided to try it out for myself. Used the only two lens I have with matching filter threads (58mm) which happen to be my Voigtlander 58/1.4 and my CZ 35/2. I mounted the 58mm to the camera and carefully hand held the 35/2 in front so the two were flush.
I found stopped down the front lens worked best - as when I stopped down the attached lens I got severe vignetting and darkening making focus a guess. I have attached examples of what result I got using F/2 for the attached 58mm and f/16 for the 35 held in front (using bouncing off camera flash to permit shutter of 1/200th. As you can see DoF is tiny - will experiment with different aperture values for each lens and see what works best I guess.

cheers,
Showing the vignette with the above settings
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5250/5257053371_050b620ec7.jpg

A crop of the above
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5208/5257053611_a9b9bd9f06_b.jpg

Another crop of a screw thread

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5001/5257664332_2e7bdfbd54_b.jpg

[arthurking83]

there's a very high chance that you'[ll get some big vignetting?

Never tried it, don't have one.. but now I'm keen too..

very timely reminder to open search ebay :th3:

[kaiser]

Here's a couple more to give you an idea of the magnification.

This is the edge of a 5c piece...you can even see the texture of the fibres in the paper!

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5201/5257132873_1422b69d8d_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5126/5257743804_d39cd318ce_b.jpg

They won't win any awards but its fun knowing that I can get this kind of magnification for playing around to see if macro is for me :)

[kaiser]

Yep Arthur, look at the pic in my first set of pics - that is the vignetting I am getting - it changes with different combinations of apertures so I still playing around to find the ebst compromise of DoF and vignettes. All the other pics are crops from the "usable image circle", for want of a better explanation :)

[Speedway]

Interesting shots Kaiser. I have a 52mm reversing ring for canon mount, I used it a bit before I got my 90mm Tamron. I checked out the store from the link and did a search for reversing rings. They have a large range and I think the 52mm in the description is a typo.

[kaiser]

Ah ok cool I will have a closer look. I didn't find it too hard to hand hold really so may as well just keep doing it that way. Don't really like the idea of a full lens weight hanging off another's filter thread anyway. I think the magnification ratio I am getting is higher than 1:1.....if I got a proper macro lens I'd need extension tubes to get above 1:1, is that right?

[kaiser]

Just on a side note - while doing this experiement - my shutter speed on the D700 would sometimes change to 1/640 instead of the set 1/160. Everything was in manual mode with an SB900 mounted in the hot shoe on M as well. Any idea what would cause this error? I'm stumped?