Questions about Macro with non-macro lens

[Cor]

I had good luck with my enlarging lens: a 150mm Companon S at f5.6, mounted REVERSE on my 8*10: in this set up I could enlarge a still live about twice as big as in real life on slow film. My object did not move though, so I could use a long exposure time

Good luck,

Cor

[Liquid Artist]

Well on the 150mmat full extension at f/5.6 it's hard focussing... So, f/8 would not be easy. But I'll try for the heck of it.

More DOF often makes focusing easier.

[pasiasty]

More DOF often makes focusing easier.

Are you sure? In extreme macro works - yes, wider (larger) DOF may help, if only you're able to see anything through small aperture. But in less extreme situation it's narrower DOF that helps focusing - that's why you usually focus with fully open aperture.

[StoneNYC]

Are you sure? In extreme macro works - yes, wider (larger) DOF may help, if only you're able to see anything through small aperture. But in less extreme situation it's narrower DOF that helps focusing - that's why you usually focus with fully open aperture.

What Pasiasty said.

I could hardly even see the GG under a sheet, let alone stopping down... Lol

[Tin Can]

Use more light. A lot more light. Even if only for focus.

What Pasiasty said.

I could hardly even see the GG under a sheet, let alone stopping down... Lol

[Dan Fromm]

Hint: effective f/ number, given magnification, for a lens with pupillary magnification = 1, is (f/number set) * (magnification + 1)

At 1:1, with f/5.6 set, effective f/number will be f/11.

Stone, I've lost track of what you're doing. How long is full extension? I ask because you should be able to see the GG at f/11.

[StoneNYC]

Use more light. A lot more light. Even if only for focus.

That isn't always available... I only have access to room light most of the time.

[StoneNYC]

Hint: effective f/ number, given magnification, for a lens with pupillary magnification = 1, is (f/number set) * (magnification + 1)

At 1:1, with f/5.6 set, effective f/number will be f/11.

Stone, I've lost track of what you're doing. How long is full extension? I ask because you should be able to see the GG at f/11.

See my previous post.. That is why I can't see...

[Dan Fromm]

Stone, for the second time, how much extension are you using? I ask because something doesn't compute at all. I looked for Toyo 45A specs, found 'em for the AII. If it is the same as the original A the max is 252 mm and you're not even at 1:1. If you're not shooting in poor light you should be able to focus an f/5.6 lens wide open at 1:1 with no difficulty. Been there, done that, in fact I've done it at 2:1.

What are you doing? If you want help you have to help us help you.

[Tin Can]

Do what night shooters do, put a tiny LED flashlight at the focus point. I always have a very small single AAA Fenix E05 on my keychain. I use it about 30 times a day. Rechargeable batteries.