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NX 18-55mm reverse lens hack.

Started May 12, 2015 | Discussions
ExFisherman New Member • Posts: 5
NX 18-55mm reverse lens hack.
2

I like extreme macro photography, and I have the Canon MPE-65 with the macro twin flash. I went the NX system route not too long ago for the compactness and light weight. I got the NX210 1st, then the NX20. Both of these bodies came with 18-55mm lens. I don't need two lenses of the same type, so I turn one of them into an extreme macro lens by reverse mounting it. I also wanted full lens control, so I basically hacked it. It works pretty well, and it's much much lighter than the Canon setup. I can handle it all day without strain on my wrist.

Here are some photos of the hack: https://www.flickr.com/photos/sinh_phun/sets/72157652194830509

Here are some examples of the images taken:https://www.flickr.com/photos/sinh_phun/sets/72157651936224585

Olympus Stylus 1s Samsung NX20 Samsung NX210
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nopicleftbehind Forum Member • Posts: 60
Re: NX 18-55mm reverse lens hack.

That is cool but how does it compare to just using a marumi achromat 200 lens filter with that lens?

Also after you mod it, can you attach a clear filter to their rear of that lens?

And does the AF still work afterwards?

 nopicleftbehind's gear list:nopicleftbehind's gear list
Samsung EX2F Fujifilm X100S Samsung NX1000 Samsung NX210 Samsung NX3000 +5 more
PDM Veteran Member • Posts: 3,197
Re: NX 18-55mm reverse lens hack.

Very nice. One needs the right soldering tools and skill to do that. Want to mod mine for me?

brownie112 Contributing Member • Posts: 502
Re: NX 18-55mm reverse lens hack.

Damit I came here hoping it would've been an easy hack like 'crack' or 'some extra clicks' and boom you have macro lens.

Soldering and tools look daunting!

 brownie112's gear list:brownie112's gear list
Sony a7 III Sony FE 50mm F1.8 Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 III
OP ExFisherman New Member • Posts: 5
Re: NX 18-55mm reverse lens hack.

nopicleftbehind wrote:

That is cool but how does it compare to just using a marumi achromat 200 lens filter with that lens?

Also after you mod it, can you attach a clear filter to their rear of that lens?

And does the AF still work afterwards?

I don't have the Marumi achromat 200 you mentioned.  I did a search, and it's a +5 diopter.  You wont get the magnification any where near the reverse lens method.  Yes, you can attach a 58mm filter to it.  I use the 58mm UV filter, but I took out the glass.  I don't want extra glass.  Auto focus do not work.  It hunts all over the place.  With extreme macro, it's pretty much manual focus.

OP ExFisherman New Member • Posts: 5
Re: NX 18-55mm reverse lens hack.

PDM wrote:

Very nice. One needs the right soldering tools and skill to do that. Want to mod mine for me?

So, you trust a total stanger to take your lens ?

OP ExFisherman New Member • Posts: 5
Re: NX 18-55mm reverse lens hack.

brownie112 wrote:

Damit I came here hoping it would've been an easy hack like 'crack' or 'some extra clicks' and boom you have macro lens.

Soldering and tools look daunting!

It does requires some soldering skill.  The spacing is far apart enough that it wont cause solder bridges.  It's not as bad as it looks.

v12nut Regular Member • Posts: 293
Re: NX 18-55mm reverse lens hack.

ExFisherman wrote:

I like extreme macro photography, and I have the Canon MPE-65 with the macro twin flash. I went the NX system route not too long ago for the compactness and light weight. I got the NX210 1st, then the NX20. Both of these bodies came with 18-55mm lens. I don't need two lenses of the same type, so I turn one of them into an extreme macro lens by reverse mounting it. I also wanted full lens control, so I basically hacked it. It works pretty well, and it's much much lighter than the Canon setup. I can handle it all day without strain on my wrist.

Here are some photos of the hack: https://www.flickr.com/photos/sinh_phun/sets/72157652194830509

Here are some examples of the images taken:https://www.flickr.com/photos/sinh_phun/sets/72157651936224585

What is the type of cable you used for the contacts? is it flat cat5 ? or something a little more flexible?

cheers

OP ExFisherman New Member • Posts: 5
Re: NX 18-55mm reverse lens hack.

v12nut wrote:

ExFisherman wrote:

I like extreme macro photography, and I have the Canon MPE-65 with the macro twin flash. I went the NX system route not too long ago for the compactness and light weight. I got the NX210 1st, then the NX20. Both of these bodies came with 18-55mm lens. I don't need two lenses of the same type, so I turn one of them into an extreme macro lens by reverse mounting it. I also wanted full lens control, so I basically hacked it. It works pretty well, and it's much much lighter than the Canon setup. I can handle it all day without strain on my wrist.

Here are some photos of the hack: https://www.flickr.com/photos/sinh_phun/sets/72157652194830509

Here are some examples of the images taken:https://www.flickr.com/photos/sinh_phun/sets/72157651936224585

What is the type of cable you used for the contacts? is it flat cat5 ? or something a little more flexible?

cheers

It's CAT5 network cable.  You can use anything that is flexible and have 8 wires.

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