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BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: Macro Photography Tip

Photography Question 

Jim Bennett 		 

Reversing Lenses with a Nikon


I've tried some macro photography and want to get serious with it. My subjects are insects. Does anyone have experience with upwards of 2:1 ratios using the Nikon? Does anyone know of any resources for doing this cheaply? I've considered the Nikon 105mm micro lens, but I don't think I'll be happy with the 1-1.6:1 that I can get with it. How about the availability of reversing rings, and which lenses combinations work well?


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June 17, 2004

 

Bob Cammarata 		 
 
  Black-Eyed Susan
Black-Eyed Susan
Nikkor 55 mm with 36mm extension tube, Provia 100

Bob Cammarata

  
  Dragonfly
Dragonfly
Nikkor 55 mm with 36mm extension tube, Provia 100

Bob Cammarata

  
  Emerging
Emerging
Nikkor 55 mm with 36 mm extension tube, Provia 100

Bob Cammarata

  
 
The 105mm Nikkor is a good choice. I've read great reviews, but have never used one. I have a 55mm Micro-Nikkor which only achieves 1:2 (1/2 life-size), but I can get much larger images by adding extension tubes between the camera body and the lens. This is probably the most economical way to get greater than life-size images. Since extension tubes are basically hollow tubes with no glass elements, the optical integrity of your prime lens won't be compromised (as it is with those magnifying filters which screw onto the front of the lens).
The tubes are commonly sold as a set of three (usually 12mm, 20mm, and 36mm) and are available in a variety of lens mounts. They can be used singly, or stacked together for getting super-close.

The three enclosed examples were taken with a Nikkor 55mm and a 36mm extension tube. As with all macro photography, the closer you get, the less depth of field you will have. There will also be less workable light to aid in focusing (which should be done manually). When using extension tubes to photograph insects, I've found it best to set my lens to the minimum focus distance, then get into shooting position and move the camera and tripod back and forth to critically focus on an eye or an antennae of the subject. Hope this helps.


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June 17, 2004

 
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