A-PeeR Loc: Houston, Texas

Many of you have shown interest in shooting higher magnification "macro" with microscope objectives. The best price-to-performance 10X objective is for sale on eBay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/261754786157

These don't come up often and when they do they don't last. Asking price of $200 isn't as cheap when these started making the rounds a few years ago but good value at the buy it now price. If the entry bid sticks (highly unlikely) it's a steal. This is infinite objective so it needs to be used with a 200mm lens for 10X, a 150mm lens for 7.5X or 100mm lens for 5X (will vignette on FF). You can also use a Raynox 250 as a "tube" lens. I have bought several items for this seller in the past. Top notch guy who was heavily into the macro and micrography.

pfrancke Loc: cold Maine

so I use Canon. I have a 200mm lens, but more interesting, I have a prime 400mm. In theory, that would be 20x if I can hook things up properly?

Please advise if this all makes sense for me, and if this can work on Canon full frame with my lenses, (I assume more gadgets will also need to be gotten). If it makes sense, I'll go for it.

A-PeeR Loc: Houston, Texas

In theory yes, but I have never tested the objective on a 400mm lens,so I'll reserve comment on IQ. I have used it on 200mm, 150mm, 135mm, and 100mm. 135mm has slight vignette on FF, 100mm has pronounced vignette.

To attach to the end of the lens you need an adapter like this: http://rafcamera.com/en/adapters/m62x0-75
This adapter ships out of Russia, so it takes a couple weeks to get delivery. It is worth the wait, as the adapter is well-made.

I have seen mention of Jinfinance on eBay: http://stores.ebay.com/rjcameraaccessorystore?_trksid=p2047675.l2563
I have had e-mail conversations with him, and he was quick to respond to my questions. One of the adapters I wanted was an odd size, he didn't have it, and the setup ring solution wasn't a viable option. Hence I went with RAF.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

William - This is another great resource.
Thanks. Allen

pfrancke Loc: cold Maine

argggg.... so frustrating. Got it in my cart, but when I go to pay for it, the web site is busted. ebay having problems, and I'm off to the pool hall in a few minutes. We'll see if it survives being in my cart.

Thanks William for sharing about this!!!!

pfrancke Loc: cold Maine

Finally got through, all went well. For a minute there I thought I was going to cry.

A-PeeR Loc: Houston, Texas

Good to read a UHHer bought the objective. It's a dandy for one interested in this form of photography. Looking forward to your efforts with the lens.

pfrancke Loc: cold Maine

thank you for posting that link.. it is frustrating to use the microscope and see all the cool stuff and not be able to take a stack of it the way I see it. This is now changing!!!!

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

Funny that you post this. I have had the following in my "watch" list over on eBay for awhile.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/260934552483?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

A-PeeR Loc: Houston, Texas

This type is good for older finite objectives with RMS threads. Good for mounting on bellows, tubes, or helicoid with m42 mount or adapters to step-up ring and/or flange mounts.

Not so good with most modern infinite objectives for a couple reasons. First, most modern objectives don't use RMS thread, particularly the ones that are good for photo micrography. Second, with an infinite objective, one mounts the objective to a lens via the filter thread. I can't think of any lenses in the focal lengths employed (100mm plus) that have a 42mm filter thread. So a step-up ring is required. This isn't an optimal setup as it moves the rear element of the objective further away from the front element of the focusing (tube) lens. This opens the setup to light bouncing around and in many cases a big hit in contrast.