Reversing my lens..NEED HELP!

PatriciaMarie113 · May 30, 2017

Hello! I recently bought a reversing ring and am attempting to figure out how to use it. I have a Nikon D80 with an AF-S Nikkor 18-135 mm 1:3.5-5.6 G ED lens. I reverse it and cqn see through the viewfinder, but when i take the picture there is just black on the screen. I do not know whats wrong. I have the aperature tab opened all the way. HELP!

qmr55 · May 30, 2017

Take your backside lens cap off :allteeth:

PatriciaMarie113 · May 30, 2017

It's not on....

480sparky · May 30, 2017

What mode are you shooting in? Auto? Manual?

qmr55 · May 30, 2017

What shutter speed are you shooting it at? Because when you are set to minimum aperture you need a longer shutter speed to keep the lens open long enough to allow any light in to get an exposure.

If you're shooting this lens reversed its probably set to something like f22. Set you camera on a tripod (or a level surface) and set the shutter speed to 1second and take a picture.

See what happens.

qmr55 · May 30, 2017

Also, your viewfinder is probably bumping up the iso to see the image in liveview but when the image is actually taken your shutter speed and iso are going to be what help you properly expose the image at ~f22...

480sparky · May 30, 2017

qmr55 said:
What shutter speed are you shooting it at? Because when you are set to minimum aperture you need a longer shutter speed to keep the lens open long enough to allow any light in to get an exposure.

If you're shooting this lens reversed its probably set to something like f22. Set you camera on a tripod (or a level surface) and set the shutter speed to 1second and take a picture.

See what happens.

OP said the lens is wide open.

qmr55 · May 30, 2017

480sparky said:
qmr55 said:

What shutter speed are you shooting it at? Because when you are set to minimum aperture you need a longer shutter speed to keep the lens open long enough to allow any light in to get an exposure.

If you're shooting this lens reversed its probably set to something like f22. Set you camera on a tripod (or a level surface) and set the shutter speed to 1second and take a picture.

See what happens.

Click to expand...

OP said the lens is wide open.

True. Sounds to me as if you might be shooting in Auto and expecting an image. Change to manual, bump up your shutter speed and your ISO and see if you can get any type of exposure. Then adjust accordingly.

fmw · May 30, 2017

Manual exposure and stop down exposure. You will probably have to experiment with exposure settings since the camera probably won't meter with a reversed lens.

cgw · May 30, 2017

No aperture ring on G lenses. Reversed, they're stuck at minimal aperture with no way to open them up.

Solution? Cheapest would be to get an old manual Nikon lens if close-ups are what you're after. The superb but ancient 55/3.5 Micro Nikkor can be used un-reversed on your camera.Exposure will be trial-and-error since there's no metering.

Just be aware there's no connection--mechanical or electronic--between your D80 and a reversed lens.

480sparky · May 30, 2017

cgw said:
No aperture ring on G lenses. Reversed, they're stuck at minimal aperture with no way to open them up..........

You can either hold it open by pushing the aperture tab on the lens. Or, buy a BR-6 and a cable release to make the process easier.

cgw · May 30, 2017

That's unworkable and/or impractical. An old lens allows far more precise aperture control, likely for less $$$.

480sparky · May 30, 2017

cgw said:
That's unworkable and/or impractical. An old lens allows far more precise aperture control, likely for less $$$.

Unworkable? Wow. Pushing a little metal tab is unworkable? I suppose pushing a little metal button to take a photo is unworkable as well?

A BR-6 and a cable release can be had for around fifty clams. Not many good legacy glass can compete with that. And will work on ALL F-mount Nikkors except the new E-glass.

weepete · May 30, 2017

Sounds to me like you need to adjust your shutter speed and/or your ISO

PatriciaMarie113 · May 30, 2017

qmr55 said:
What shutter speed are you shooting it at? Because when you are set to minimum aperture you need a longer shutter speed to keep the lens open long enough to allow any light in to get an exposure.

If you're shooting this lens reversed its probably set to something like f22. Set you camera on a tripod (or a level surface) and set the shutter speed to 1second and take a picture.

See what happens.

That totally worked!! The shutter speed is now 1 second and it is picking up the light. Now i just need a tripod !! Haha thanks everyone