sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

I've shared what I see through my magnified lenses through my focus stacking sessions in my posts on UHH and I wanted to take a moment to share how truely inexpensive magnified macro focus stacking can be and the results you can expect.

First, any interchangeable lens digital camera will do. Nothing special is required so you can even use an older one that you may still have. I use a little Fujifilm X-T20 APS-C size sensor camera for all my sessions now.

Next comes a lens, or better yet, a microscope objective. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND the AmScope 4X Plan Achromatic Finite objective that sells for $22.00. It is what I used to produce the image of the flesh fly attached. It provides an ample working distance for illumination which is quite important with higher magnification work. When considering buying any microscope objective be sure to read the technical information regarding its working distance. Many compound microscope objectives have only a sliver of working distance between the end of the objective and the subject for they are intended for use with flat glass specimen slides which they will nearly touch it.

This is a 'finite' objective so all that is required is to extend it in some fashion (bellows, extension tubes, helicoid, etc.) to a distance of 160mm from the plain of the camera's sensor to the tip of the objective. Bellows or tubes can be had new for under $40 on Amazon which work well.

Because the depth of field is ever so shallow...thinner than a sheet of paper at times, a way of taking shot after shot as the camera advances from the closest point of the subject in focus (like the tip of a hair) to the furthest point of focus that you want seen sharp in the final image. This can be done manually, which is the way that I started, however having a digital motorized focus rail takes all the effort out of the process and it eliminates the need to touch the camera or to actuate the shutter as you sit there with the release or timer. This does all of the functions necessary and it can be controlled by a PC, Tablet or a Smartphone either wired or BlueTooth communication. If you consider venturing into high magnification macro/micro it will be the best investment you will ever make.

Lastly, is illumination which is ultimately important. We can use flash or constant lighting and I prefer constant lighting and I use the IKEA LED desk lamps and I use translucent plastic cups, tracing paper, packing foam, paper towels, writing paper, pieces of milk cartons, ping-pong balls, styrofoam cups and plateware, and an endless list of whatever I think will provide a diffused even lighting. I started out with flashes however I was getting thankyou letters from battery companies for all of the batteries I was buying. I went to studio strobes and they would overheat and poop out on me. These inexpensive LED lamps never cause a problem and they are highly maneuverable. I use three of them for my session.

I know that this is not for everyone however it is a great hobby for it can be done indoors regardless of the weather day or night and it is great for anyone that has mobility limitations that cannot enjoy being out and about with their camera in hand.

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captivecookie Loc: Washington state

Interesting and educational. Seems like the biggest expense is the focus rail, but altogether it's less than your average macro lens.

BassmanBruce Loc: Middle of the Mitten

Thank you Sir!
You’re not only Very Good at macro shooting, you’re very generous as well.

JimmyTB

I second what BassmanBruce said. Thank you for all your contributions to this forum. I just may have to try my hand at this.

canonclicker

If you can have 2 cameras I would suggest you start with an Olympus, Lumix, etc. mirrorless camera with a Photo Stacking feature. I use a Lumix G85 and have become aware of how photo stacking works. Next, I want to learn Zerene and Helicon.

My Lumix can only stack around 4-5 stacks and I'm waiting for another camera. Nikon has a camera that can stack many photos and produces a very good image. A professional sent me his Nikon photos and I looked at his camera which was around 3 grand. I little more than I want to spend.

Sippyjug's photos are superb and I am using his advice. I like that he uses inexpensive equipment when possible. I save everyone of his photos for information and have just recorded my 319th photo. All are worth it.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Excellent shot, Gary! Your information is interesting, but I will rely on you to continue to provide excellent shots.

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Thanks, UTMike and I look forward to posting many, many more. I've mentioned how "tabletop macro" makes for a great hobby for someone who may be mobility impaired, wheelchair bound, have tremors, or just can't get out of the house or may be a night owl.

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Captivecookie, you are right and a manual focus rail can be had for very little which is the way that I started off although it didn't take long to figure out that automating the process was by far the better way to go.

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

BassmanBurce, thanks for the kind reply. Sharing our experiences is what it is truly all about when we stop to think about it. Experiences not passed on are lost to the ages like the mystery of the pyramids with all of the writings they did no one ever thought to inscribe how they built them so others could build on those ideas and methods.

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

JimmyTB, what also works well and are quite inexpensive are old enlarger lenses. We mount them in reverse and put them on a bellows. An Nikon El Nikkor 50mm f/2.8 enlarger lens can be readily had for less than $50 and when mounted in reverse produces stunning macro images.

An enlarger lens is super razor sharp corner to corner designed for a flat subject (photo film) to be projected to a much larger piece of developing paper. Something little comes in and something big comes out. We want to take that concept and turn it around so that something little (our bug's eye) gets projected big on the camera's sensor (instead of developing paper).

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Thanks, CanonClicker and your recommendations of cameras is spot-on for in-camera focus stacking with compatible autofocus lenses. Lumix and Olympus (and some others now) are excellent choices and they make focus stacking possible in the field far easier that ever before possible as well as using them in a staged setting.

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

Awesome information ⭐⭐⭐⭐

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

I have run out of superlatives, sippy. Great stack and narrative. You forgot to mention that one must also have great patience to do what you do.

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Thanks, Kpmac. It takes a lot of coffee along with an untold number of pee breaks to get through them.

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Thanks, Joe. My hopes were to share that if anyone would ever have an interest in doing this that they should not be put off by thinking that there is a big investment to do so and it can be done in the comfort of their home year-round.