Quick guide on how to do Macro the cheap way.

18 min read

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MarcosRodriguez's avatar
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Photography Week

There are a lot of different techniques to create Macro photos, some are expensive, like a dedicated Macro lens, and some are are cheaper, like close-up filters or with the technique I'm just going to explain. If you already have an entry level DSLR with the kit lens, you already have everything to do Macro, al you have to do is to reverse the lens:



The tools I'm going to use for this tutorial:



My first DSLR a Nikon D3000.
Tuto-4949 by MarcosRodriguez


A 50mm f1.8 lens, the most affordable lens you can purchase, although you can use the standard 18-55mm lens that came with your camera.

Tuto-4948 by MarcosRodriguez


A piece of paper and some tape (this is optional).

Tuto-4954 by MarcosRodriguez Tuto-4952 by MarcosRodriguez




And this will be my subject, an SD card:
Tuto-4956 by MarcosRodriguez

The technique



First of all, this is bit of a risky technique, so be very careful when doing it, because your lens and/or camera might fall off your hands to the ground and they might be damaged.
Ok, let's get started, first you have to locate the aperture lever of your lens. It's a tiny piece of metal that controls the aperture of the blades from the diaphragm inside your lens.
aperture lever by MarcosRodriguez


With your left hand hold the lens and with the left index finger move the lever to keep the aperture at its maximum.
Tuto-4965 by MarcosRodriguez


This step is optional, I use it all the time now, it allows me to light the scene I want to photograph without anything else than a piece of white paper and a piece of tape. So grab that paper, place a piece of tape and stick it on top of your lens, it will act both as a diffuser and as reflector.
Tuto-4967 by MarcosRodriguez Tuto-4968 by MarcosRodriguez

Now it comes the tricky step, holding the lens in your left hand, as I said, place the front element towards the mount of your camera, you must be sure that it fits well, you don't want to leave any open space between the lens and the camera, to avoid any light coming through it. 
Tuto-4964 by MarcosRodriguez
Tuto-4966 by MarcosRodriguez
If you want to try the trick of the paper, don't forget to pop pop the flash of your camera, it will be enough to get the shot correctly illuminated. All you have to do now is to try to focus manually on your subject by looking through your viewfinder and moving your camera back and forward till you think you have it in focus and press the shutter. If you use the flash and the scene is too bright, try to release the aperture lever half way right before taking the shot, that will make less light to come into the camera and you might get some extra DOF. 


The results

This is a photo of the SD card, this photograph is completely unedited
Tuto-0013 by MarcosRodriguez

This photo is the same SD card but this time using a dedicated Macro lens with a Full Frame DSLR
(Tamron 90 mm with a Nikon D600)
As you see magnification is almost the same one.
Tuto-4959 by MarcosRodriguez


This is a drop a I placed over a DVD, fully edited
Tuto-0019 by MarcosRodriguez

I hope you've enjoyed this tutorial and don't forget to show me your photos if you try this.

Best regards and good shooting!!!!!





© 2016 - 2024 MarcosRodriguez
Comments49
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Yuukon's avatar
Here's a little secret: It's how I take most of my macro's! I bought a reverse ring years ago, still loving it. Meanwhile I also expanded to extension tubes and a vintage macro lens, but the reverse ring is still my favourite! Great article Marcos!