i got a ring for a few dollars off ebay and its a pretty interesting idea.

the DOF is narrower than a razor, and exposure issues are common. One trick i use to get light is to push the aperture lever to max with my finger, then shoot. Most of my pictures suck but its very fun.

another option is to use a male-male filter adapter and attach one lens to another. I use my 55-200 at 55 and screw my 35 1.8 on the end. good macro and i retain a bit of auto-focus.

again, results are rarely great but when they are its very gratifying.

lol, that'll be much easier than what I've been saying, "

the glass part that's not the front of the lens, but the back part where the light goes through and makes magic with the silver gods"

The name is rather simple, the rear element. lol

bmxdad said:

I also think that you will be better of investing in a used macro lens, but here is a link to how different macro adapters will work with different lenses

Right, but there is no harm really in picking up a reverse ring considering they shouldn't cost more than 10 bucks. brand doesn't matter, just has to be f mount. I'd say go for it and see how it works for you, if you need something more then yeah maybe go for a macro lens, but if you are just fooling around, definitely try this (or extension tubes) first.

One of the complaints about the reverse rings and off brand extension tubes are the metering problems. However in the digital age, who cares! take a few test pics until you get your exposure right and there you go.

I use extension tubes on my old ftn and I love it, the ability to change them out and add more easily is great, whereas you aren't going to have that with the reverse adapter. Also I'd rather not put the inner part of my lens out there (I don't know the technical name for the back end of the lens glass, haha), so that's why I'd suggest extension tubes instead.

What I meant was that the adapter needs to be for F mount, it would be hard to use the adapter if it didn't have F mount. :p

Actually you can use any Lens brand/mount that the aperture can be adjusted manually. Remember the reverse adapter is attached to the front of the lens. I have one, cheap from Ebay, but have really not used it.

I also think that you will be better of investing in a used macro lens, but here is a link to how different macro adapters will work with different lenses

http://www.peterforsell.com/macro.html

Pete

Well the reversing ring needs to be able to accept F mount lenses, but otherwise any that do should work. Most of the time people use the 50mm 1.8D in this way, since it is such a cheap lens to buy. I've seen some decent results, but the depth of field is very narrow at F1.8 when reversed, and you'll have to use stop down metering as the CPU contacts from the lens wont be connected to the body.

You might be able to find a good used copy of the 55mm F3.5 AI or AI-S for cheap ($150-250). You'd still have to do stop down metering, but at least you wouldn't need an adapter.

I've read a bit about the use of reverse adapter rings, to "transform" regular lenses into good macro ones.

My first question is, what do you guys think about that to use in a D5000? Does it actually work? All photos I've seen of the rings with the lenses attached, they look "clumsy" but if it does work well, then...

And, if it's a good idea, does it really make a difference to get a genuine Nikon ring, or any 52mm should do?

Thanks as always!!
Danny.