DIY: 5 steps to macro photography with any lens

Did you ever want to shoot macro photography? Never had the money for a 100mm f2.8 MACRO lens? If you have an ordinary - which means any kind of lens laying around - now it's time to use it! The technique I'm about to show you isn't rocket science. Plain and simple reverse lens technique. What's that? Easy - switch the ends of your lens. How can you do that? Follow my 5 STEP tutorial on Reverse lens for low budget photographers.

STEP1:

What you need? dSLR camera, lens, some sort of a tape and a cutting tool.

STEP2:

Remove the lens from your camera. This is most basic principle of how this technique works.

STEP3:
Tape the lens to the camera body with the front glass tight. Don't allow any light to come in since it will ruin your photos. Please be aware not to use any kind of glue or moisture - you have to be able to set this apart at any time.

STEP 4: 
Make sure you've done all this right: You reversed the lens by switching the front end with the back end; you used regular tape to seal the lens and you did it with caution. It must be tight enough to hold the lens but again to seal so no light comes through. I used an ND 0.3 filter on top just in case - I don't want to scratch my lens. Always hold the lens even when taped. I used Canon 17-40mm f4 lens which is rather expensive. Be quick - prepare everything and then follow the procedure - Since your camera body and lens are not attached - dust and other particles can damage your sensors or bring filth to your lens. Never forget to hold it even if you are shooting from a mount:

STEP 5: 
SHOOT. Shoot indoors - remember that your lens is open to any filth. Never do this outside - especially on a windy/rainy weather conditions. Moister, filth and even water will find it's way inside. This might ruin your lens. If you have an old lens which you never use again - or for example I have an old kit lens 18-55mm on which my auto focus doesn't work - the lens I can't think of using again.

With these 5 easy steps I've made this yesterday.

The settings I used were:

Canon 7d body
Canon 50mm f1.4 lens - REVERSED
Shutter speed: 1/125
ISO: 1600
Focal length: 50mm
Focus +infinity

So there you go: a very easy to follow tutorial on how to make macro photographs with any lens! This is just another great way to have some fun when you're home with your camera!
Feel free to contact me regarding the technique and share your photos online. I will gladly share them on my blog as well. Photographs of the process (making of) are made by Bada