Reply #9: You have the "kit lens"? Then you have a macro lens

[F.Gordon]

I picked up the latest issue of Photographer Monthly published in the UK. The issue was dedicated to Macro Photography. One of the things they talked about was reversing your lens. This sounded a little crazy so I just did a quick snap last night to see if it worked.

Did a handheld try at it using ISO 1600, indoors. This is a horrible horrible example but it does seem to work. I set a 5.6 f' - shut off camera - removed lens - turned camera back on - held lens BACKWARDS on the camera body while I tried to do this. You just move in and out to focus. This is about a 50% crop and is the top of a very tiny gourd thingey. Those little stems and round things can barely be seen with the naked eye.



They recommend using "gaffers tape" to seal the lens/camera. I'm going to give this a try for real with some good lighting or use my flash to bounce some light on whatever it is I'm tryin' to snap. And you really should use a tripod unless you have very steady hands.

The only kind of Canon Lens I'd be comfortable buying used would be a "L" lens or if I bought from a forum where the buying and selling is "regulated". I know people have good experiences buying on eBay but I never would. Yea, it is crazy that good lenses cost more than the damn camera.