How do Lens Reversal Rings work?
I'm planning on getting a Nikon D3100 and want to do some macro photography but my budget severely limits me.
so i started looking into reversing my lens. But i don't know.well.pretty much anything about this. I looked around and read that you can't use auto function as the lens connectors aren't connected.understandable.
but you can't use manual focus also. Is that true?
and would i be damaging my lens doing it? Also ill be having an 18-55mm lens what ring would i need? A 52mm?
Poorly, at best. They are inexpensive and work somewhat in a pinch, but I wouldn't recommend them for main use. Your better attempt would be to search out some non-automatic focus extension tubes. These work much better and easier with less chance of damage to your lens or body. Reverse rings mount to the camera body on one side and the filter screw threads on the other. That leaves the auto focus contacts and internal lens element out front, where they were never intended to be, gathering dirt, dust, moisture and scratches during use. Not my idea of a fun thing! Inexpensive macro extension tubes can be had for most major brands of DSLR, like Nikon. They come in sets, usually of 2 or 3 lengths that can be combined to get a larger picture / closer to the subject. There are sets that support auto focus and sets without the electronic contacts to support that function. You would simply install one or more of them between the camera body and lens in normal position and use the camera as usual, without auto focus if the tubes don't support it. Non AF tubes can run as little as $100 for a set of three with good coverage and of decent quality. Some AF tubes fit in that budget also. Have a look:
You reverse the mounting of the lens to get macro results. There are lens "reverse adapters" to do it so you won't have to use duct tape. Everything else is normal. Normal as in manual. Everything would have to be done manually.