Good macro lenses cost a lot. I’ve found a way to utilize some lenses you might already have to reach crazy reproduction ratios, like 2:1, 3:1 or more. Now NOTHING beats a REAL macro/micro lens. Nothing. However, if you want to have some fun with a different way to get extremely close, check out a Macro Coupler. It’s like a filter with two sets of male threads.

What you’ll need

• 50mm lens recommended to reverse. It must have an aperture ring, you’ll need to open it up all the way.
• Lens(es) that will magnify between ~70mm & 200mm. Too short and you’ll have way too much vignetting (like at 70), too long and it’s all but impossible to achieve a good depth of field.
• Macro Coupler that has the right filter size for one of your lenses, and optionally step-down/step up rings to match the filter size on your other lens.

I found when ordering the pieces I needed, it was easiest to match the common 52mm filter size of the 50mm lens. So I started there. Drew a rough representation of the lens, then drew in the coupler, and across the paper drew the lens I wanted to attach to. Then, with web site in hand, bandhphoto.com had the most selection, I found the rings I would need. Luckily, only one more ring was needed to get from 52 to 67mm filter size.

Then just put it all together and you have a crazy macro lens. The draw backs are you need to have the end of this contraption really close to your subject, so nothing live will play along with you. You have a very shallow depth of field, even more so while focusing, making it really hard to compose your photos.

I found to over come the DOF problem, it was easier to get a really stable camera setup (good tripod, head, and something to rest the lens on are necessary here) to move the subject.

Because your shooting through 2 lenses now, you need to use the best pieces of glass you have. You’ll lose a lot of light with this method as well, so be prepared to over light your subject.

The rest is left to trial and error while you shoot. I’ve only used this setup a few times playing around. The only photos that came out so far are these ones of the tick that my wife pulled off my back the other day. In November…

And for scale (yes, I still have my drafting tools):