Help on Reverse Ring: Not able to click with flash On

[saurabh_fzr]

Hi

Got my reverse ring a couple of days ago. Facing a peculiar issue while using this.
I am not able to click anything if the in built flash is open , it starts clicking when the flash is closed. Tried using external flash but that too didn't fire.

Settings
Camera : Nikon D80
Lenses: Tried with 18-55 (kit lens) and 50 mm 1.8D
Camera was switched to manual mode (for exposure settings)
Focus was set to manual mode.

I don't know if am doing something wrong, please help

My apologies if posting at a wrong place.

[Asriel]

Flash should also set to manual mode and since your a nikon user put a toothpick on the aperture lever to opened up the aperture. The higher the f/stop (f/8) the wider the area of focus or sharpness of the subject

[saurabh_fzr]

Originally Posted by Asriel

Flash should also set to manual mode and since your a nikon user put a toothpick on the aperture lever to opened up the aperture. The higher the f/stop (f/8) the wider the area of focus or sharpness of the subject

Dear Asriel

Thanks a ton, I really couldn't understand the toothpick trick though.

Please elaborate

[Cola]

Definitely be sure that your flash is on full manual and not on TTL, this goes for both a hotshoe off camera triggered flash and your on camera flash. If it is not in full manual your camera will not fire, also be sure your camera is in manual mode. With your lens reversed you must control everything manually.

I believe what Asriel was referring to was changing your aperture on a lens that has no aperture ring in the reverse lens set up. When you reverse a lens that does not have an aperture ring you are stuck at your widest aperture. This leaves you with a very small depth of field, and while using a reverse lens set up you will have only millimeters of DOF to work with anyway, it can be increased by using higher apertures such within your lens' sweet spot such at f13 - f16. By using a toothpick to move your aperture lever you move the aperture diaphragm in your lens.

Just a little trick of the trade, with your D80 you have a depth of field preview button which comes in handy right now. If you mount your lens normally and set the desired aperture for your reverse macro, hold your DOF preview button and while holding it, remove the lens from your camera. This should set your aperture and keep it there.

Happy shooting!