The only lens that every macro photographer should own…

… is the El Nikkor 50mm f/2.8 enlarger lens from Nikon. In this short article, I will explain why this is the case, and I’ll show you how to set the lens up to get the very most out of it in macro photography.

I have been using this lens ever since I started dabbling in macro imaging. It is solid, inexpensive, compact, 6-element flat-field enlarger lens that just happens to be one of the best bellows lenses you will find. Simply by adjusting the lens extension between 20mm and 200mm, this lens (reversed) becomes the most reliable and easy to use component in a setup that yields magnification ratios of between 1:1 and 4:1.

The lens should used in reverse orientation at magnifications greater than 1:1, so the first thing we need to consider is how to set it up. I will be talking about the setup for bellows, but it would be exactly the same if you were using extension tubes. At 1:1 magnification, or less, the lens should not be reversed and only adapter you would need is a 39mm to your camera mount ring -

This adapter would also be needed if you are reversing the lens - it is the first part of my preferred lens hood assembly - more on that in a minute.

If you are shooting at magnifications greater than 1:1, the lens needs to be mounted backwards, with the 40.5mm filter thread facing the camera (or bellows). The setup I prefer consists of three common adapters, starting with a 40.5mm to 52mm step up ring -

This is followed by a 55mm to 52mm step down adapter (or any ring that has a continuous inner thread of 52mm) and a standard reversing ring of 52mm, with your camera mount. I strongly recommend this set up step up and step down rings - I cannot tell you how many times having these rings on hand has saved my bacon -

With the lens in reverse, you will need to mount an adjustable length lens hood to the 39mm rear mount of the lens. I do this using the same 39mm to F-mount adapter, shown above, followed by a Nikon BR-3 adapter and a series of interlocking step up and step down rings.

Be sure to get two of the 52mm to 43mm step down rings, if you want the full length hood shown in the video.

By the way, you can actually pick up your very own El Nikkor 50mm f/2.8N right here…

And the venerable Nikon PB-6 bellows that I love so much, can also be found here…

Here are a few of the test shots that I took to check out my new lens…

And finally, here is the short video in which I discuss the key considerations for using this lens in your macro photography. Hope you enjoy it!