June 18, 2017

Reverse Mount Lens Adapter Rings for Canon EF Mount Review

Reverse Mount Lens Adapter Rings for Canon EF Mount

A well known alternative solution to a true macro lens is mounting a usually cheap lens reversed on the camera. This solution may produce unbelievably large scale magnification, otherwise attainable only by very expensive Macro lenses.

This page is meant as a reference showing illustrations of the parts comprising the Reverse Mount Lens Adapter Rings set, until all texts and implementation examples are duly completed.
Enjoy some eye candy!

The Reverse Mount Rings

The Reverse Mount Lens Adapter Rings come in various sizes, according to the filter thread diameter of the lens you want to convert and reverse mount.
The specific rings shown here have a 52 mm, 58 mm and 67 mm thread diameter, meant to be tested with Canon EF 50 mm f:1.8, EF-S 60 mm f:2.8 macro, EF-S 18-55 mm IS and 17-85 mm IS USM.

Reverse Mount Lens Adapter Rings for Canon EF - Packed

The specific rings are made of aluminium and they are black anodized with all the drawbacks this may mean in regards of durability and life expectancy. Nevertheless, they are so cheap that you can change anytime you want.

Installing a Reverse Mount Ring

The installation is straight forward, as it only needs to screw the ring on the front filter threads of the lens. In my opinion, since the lens will be attached on the camera any protective filter would better be removed prior to attaching the reverse mount ring.

Canon EF-S 17-85 IS USM w 67mm Reverse Mount Adapter Ring aside
Canon EF-S 17-85 IS USM with the 67mm Reverse Mount Adapter Ring aside

Canon EF-S 17-85 IS USM w 67mm Reverse Mount Adapter Ring installed
Canon EF-S 17-85 IS USM with the 67mm Reverse Mount Adapter Ring installed



Using Reverse Mount Rings

The lens can be of course mounted directly on the camera body, but if you want really high magnification ratios you may attach it on the front of a Macro Bellows with relative mount, the Canon EF mount here.
Below is an example of a relatively cheap Macro Bellows which I have modified adding an Arca style rail for better stability and ease of mounting on various heads. For more details check the relative article listed further down.

Canon EF-S 17-85 IS USM w 67mm Reverse Mount Ring aside Macro Bellows
Canon EF-S 17-85 IS USM equipped with 67mm Reverse Mount Ring aside Macro Bellows for Canon EF mount lenses

Canon EF-S 17-85 IS USM w 67mm Reverse Mount Ring on Macro Bellows
Canon EF-S 17-85 IS USM equipped with 67mm Reverse Mount Ring, reverse mounted on Macro Bellows for Canon EF mount lenses.
More information and illustration covering the use of the reverse mount Canon lens on a Macro Bellows may be found in the article Create a Transportable Super Macro Rig

Pros
Very low price compared to a high magnification macro lens.
Metal construction with black anodizing not easily scratched.

Cons
Lack of electrical contacts deprive automatic focusing and aperture selection, which have to be set manually.

Conclusion
A very cheap alternative to super macro lenses, especially when combined with a Macro Bellows. Depending on the lens used, magnification may exceed 7:1.
Not to mention that they proved quite durable up to now under light use of course.

I hope you found the article and ideas useful, thank you for viewing.
All Photos & Photosynths: © 2017 S.C.Vlachos

Price & Availability:
Prices of the Reverse Mount Adapter Rings vary according to size and company. Some are also sold with extra protection ring for the lens contacts as well as a glass filter. They are available from Amazon but also from eBay

Referenced Articles:

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Reference
Canon EF-S 17-85 mm f/4.0-5.6 IS USM Lens Reference
Macro Bellows for Canon EF Mount
Macro Bellows for Canon EF Mount Review
Create a Versatile O-Shape Macro Flash Bracket
Create a Versatile O-Shape Macro Flash Bracket
Create a Transportable Super Macro Rig
Create a Transportable Super Macro Rig







Relevant Articles:

Meike MK-C-UP Multifunctional e-Macro Extension Tube for Canon
Meike MK-C-UP Multifunctional e-Macro Extension Tube for Canon
Reverse Coupling Lens Adapter Rings Male to Male
Reverse Coupling Lens Adapter Rings Male to Male

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