Odd ways of Macro photography

The standard tool of macro photography is a Macro lens. That what the book says. But I learned to achieve high magnification when i didn't had any standard tool. However they are unlikely to generate good result but its always fun to do something new.

20110906_089 (Nikon D200 : Micro AF Nikkor 60mm/2.8D : extension tube) [1/15. f/10. ISO 800]

Transform a 28-80 or 35-80 mm wide zoom lens into a macro lens

While trying various method to achieve magnification once I suddenly discovered that if I remove the front element of zoom lens like 35-80 mm, it turns into a macro zoom lens. The magnification is higher just like a reversed lens but I have total electronic control on exposure. A great blessing. Caution - do it at your own risk.




Convert a old teleconverter into a extension tube

I had an old vivitar autofocus 2X teleconverter. As the digital era started it turned out that these converters can generate worst kind of image, so it became out of service. But why not through out the inner glass element of this converter and turn it into an extension tube. So i removed all the glass component and covered the shiny aspects with black felt found in the opening of good old film canister. Voila now I have a fully functional AF Vivitar extension tube. Which works perfectly with my Nikon D200 body. And it is solid too.




Reversing a wide angle lens

It is a known technique that if you attach your wide angle lens (e.g. 35 mm lens) in a reverse position with your camera you can achieve very high magnification.

Your 24mm or 35 mm lens can suddenly take macro photo.
There is no loss of light like bellows or extension tube.

If you use nikon SLR camera you can procure reverse ring BR-2A to mount the lens with the camera body and BR-6 auto diaphragm ring on the other side of the lens to regain control on aperture.




Dew Drops (Nikon FM2 : Nikkor 35-80 mm/4-5.6 reverse mount : handheld)


20110618_003 (Nikon D200 : AF Nikkor 70-210/4-5.6D @ 210mm : extension tube : Tripod) [1/30. f/11. ISO 400]


20110911_ ### (Nikon D200 : Micro AF Nikkor 60mm/2.8D : Tripod) [8sec. f/14. ISO 100]


20081130_077 (Nikon D200 : Micro AF Nikkor 60mm/2.8D : Handheld) [1/90. f/5.6. ISO 200]