Using Reversing Ring (Nikon)

[hower]

1st question - What is the largest diameter lens that can be use with a reversing ring to act as a macro lens? I realised that from ebay, there are only 3 kind of diameter, 52mm, 55mm, 58mm reversing ring adaptor for Nikon Mount. What about 62mm?

2nd Question - What focal length lens is better to be used reversed? Most people is using 50mm, what about those in the wider angle (35mm, 28mm, 24mm) or in the telephoto end (85mm, 105mm, 135mm)?

3rd Question - Does that mean when using reverse, I can even use lenses from Leica, Canon etc?

4th Question - What about metering? I know there will definitely be no AF, but what kind of metering will I have? Say for F5 and D70s.

5th Question - How to focus? Only by moving myself to and fro the object to get the best results?

[hower]

No expert here to answer me?

[rebbot]

Originally Posted by hower 1st question - What is the largest diameter lens that can be use with a reversing ring to act as a macro lens? I realised that from ebay, there are only 3 kind of diameter, 52mm, 55mm, 58mm reversing ring adaptor for Nikon Mount. What about 62mm? 2nd Question - What focal length lens is better to be used reversed? Most people is using 50mm, what about those in the wider angle (35mm, 28mm, 24mm) or in the telephoto end (85mm, 105mm, 135mm)? 3rd Question - Does that mean when using reverse, I can even use lenses from Leica, Canon etc? 4th Question - What about metering? I know there will definitely be no AF, but what kind of metering will I have? Say for F5 and D70s. 5th Question - How to focus? Only by moving myself to and fro the object to get the best results?

For your 1st and 2nd question, I am not sure what are the available diameters for reverse mount rings. One thing I do know is that most ppl reverse mount the 50mm because its a cheaper alternative to a macro lens. If they were to reverse mount a more expensive lens, I believe they would get a 60mm or 105mm macro which is sharper and provides AF and metering.

For the 3rd question, you SHOULD be able to reverse mount other lens depending on how the front of the lens is mounted on the reverse ring.

For the 4th question, I am NOT SURE as well but I dun think you get metering though.

For the 5th question, use the manual focus ring to focus and of coz, there is a minimum focusing distance. I am not good with numbers and specs but someone should be able to help you here.

my 2 shots worths of comments

[Ian]

Originally Posted by hower 1st question - What is the largest diameter lens that can be use with a reversing ring to act as a macro lens? I realised that from ebay, there are only 3 kind of diameter, 52mm, 55mm, 58mm reversing ring adaptor for Nikon Mount. What about 62mm?

Normally you'd be reversing a prime lens and the long time standard for Nikon lenses was 52mm. You can add a stepdown or stepup ring to the setup to suit other filter thread diameters but focusing can be problematic.

Originally Posted by hower 2nd Question - What focal length lens is better to be used reversed? Most people is using 50mm, what about those in the wider angle (35mm, 28mm, 24mm) or in the telephoto end (85mm, 105mm, 135mm)?

I've had excellent results from reversing 20~135mm Nikkor primes.

Originally Posted by hower 3rd Question - Does that mean when using reverse, I can even use lenses from Leica, Canon etc?

Yes

Originally Posted by hower 4th Question - What about metering? I know there will definitely be no AF, but what kind of metering will I have? Say for F5 and D70s.

Step down manual metering only. In other words you set the metering sytem to manual, select the desired aperture on the lens to give the required DOF and meter by adjusting the shutter speed to suit.

Originally Posted by hower 5th Question - How to focus? Only by moving myself to and fro the object to get the best results?

Correct!