Reverse lens macro I

This is the first shot reversing a pentax 28mm manual lens on my 5DSr with two 25mm extension tubes.

comments (12)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

Cool, I was waiting for your first results. The detail is amazing!
Only feedback I have (since I know you like feedback) would be to increase lightness (whites or highlights) on the hairs. It would pop much more, it looks a bit dim now.

Overall though, spectacular, can't believe it's your first result. Posted 7 years ago
1. Stephen Philips
  
  Lion
  
  Thanks again Ferdy. Still a bit soft in my opinion but maybe I expected too much from a $20 lens I found at a pawn shop... No joke, I was traveling in a small town in the mountains of Arizona and decided to pull into this tiny pawn shop. I had a pretty good idea what I wanted and bam! There it was on the shelf of only 4 vintage lenses. The exterior is beat up but the glass is near perfect.
  
  As far as lightening up the hairs, it may pop a bit more but the hairs were getting fuzzy when increasing brightness. I thought this was the sweet spot. Posted 7 years ago, modified 6 years ago
2. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    I don't find it soft at all, seriously! Looking at the hairs more closely, maybe the whites are too warm. Lowering their color temperature may bring a fresher white. Posted 7 years ago
  2. 1. Stephen Philips
      
      Lion
      
      The original one is more true to real life.
      
      Posted 7 years ago, modified 7 years ago
    2. 1. Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        Exactly, that's what I was talking about! Cold white is much more powerful. Posted 7 years ago

gary fast

Lion

Great shot for a “first result”. Have to agree with Ferdy about the editing. The details look good. I’m still waiting for my extension tubes! Posted 7 years ago
1. Stephen Philips
  
  Lion
  
  Gary, what are you building for a macro shooter? Posted 6 years ago
2. 1. gary fast
    
    Lion
    
    Stephen, I am using an Olympus EM5 Mk II with their 60mm macro lens. The camera comes with a separate flash unit that I have taped a diffuser to. I also have a small 64 LED unit that I use when using the incamera focus stacking with a tripod. I am still (im)patiently waiting for my extension tubes, 10 and 16mm. I have an old Oly 50mm, f1.8 lens that I may try reversing. Your photo is quite inspirational and I love the subject matter! Gary Posted 6 years ago
  2. 1. Stephen Philips
      
      Lion
      
      Gary,
      
      Sounds like the makings of a good setup. I am convinced to achieve good results (I am not there yet) one absolutely needs to reverse the lens and work hard on good lighting. I still need to get a better lighting setup and possibly a cleaner lens. Magnification is the first step (hence reverse and tubes) then light. BTW- I run (2) 25mm extension tubes on a 28mm lens reversed.
      
      I am using a speedlite with a clip-on diffuser. Which produces light directly in-line with the front of the lens and literally sits atop the lens. I will send a picture.
      
      While this produces great light it creates a reflection in the eyes I am not happy with. Also this configuration makes it difficult to position on active subjects in nature. I need to ring light or combination of smaller LED lights to improve this issue. Haven’t settled on anything yet. Posted 6 years ago
    2. 1. gary fast
        
        Lion
        
        To me it sounds as if you are good to go. I would be interested to know what magnification you get with your set up compared with what I shall be getting with my extension tubes. Keep up the good work! Posted 6 years ago
      2. Stephen Philips
        
        Lion
        
        Here is a link to a couple of images of my setup. Last three pictures in the series.
        
        http://www.stevo-photo.com/macro-reverse-lens
        
        I believe (can verify just haven't yet) I am getting close to 3:1 ratio on my 28mm reversed with two 25mm tubes on a full frame canon.
        
        Combining both your new tubes leaving the lens in forward "normal" mount I would be surprised if you are greater than 1.5:1 when shooting at 1:1 on your macro lens on a crop form factor. Posted 6 years ago, modified 6 years ago
        
        gary fast
        
        Lion
        
        I will have to wait and see. That looks like some serious setup you have there. Good going! Posted 6 years ago

The Red-backed jumping spider

"Phidippus johnsoni", the red-backed jumping spider, is one of the largest and most commonly encountered jumping spiders of western North America. It is not to be confused with the unrelated and highly venomous redback spider.

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Similar species: Spiders

Species identified by Stephen Philips