jackm1943 Loc: Omaha, Nebraska

Thanks Sippy. Some time ago I was considering purchase of an old Canon FD bellows with FD/EF adaptors because those old bellows appear to be very well built. I don't use my enlarger any more but I do have three lenses for it, the smallest being a 50mm Nikon which should work well if I choose to go that route.
JackM

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Jack, the Nikon 50mm enlarger lens is considered to be among the "gold standard" for macro work. When we think about it, it's exactly what we desire for focus stacking which is a lens that provides a flat depth of field and that is razor-sharp.

The enlarger lens has to take the film negative (a flat item) and project its image as sharply as possible onto the developing paper. It also takes something very small (the image on the negative) and magnifies it (bigger than 1:1) which is all that we desire in macro/microphotography. You have the camera and you have the bellows now all you need is an adapter fitting to go from the Nikon enlarger lens mount to the Canon flange mount of the bellows.

As you can likely tell, I'm excited for you for I know that you will truly enjoy the adventure regardless of how you pursue it.

jackm1943 Loc: Omaha, Nebraska

Thanks for the info Sippy. Most of my darkroom work was with medium and 4x5 format, but I had the 50mm for the small amount of 35mm prints I made. I hung onto the enlarger lenses just in hopes I could use them in this manner at some point. I was thinking more about mounting it in reverse on extension tubes and/or bellows.
Right now I'm recovering from knee replacement surgery three weeks ago and can't yet get down the stairs to my darkroom. Hopefully I'll be able to in a few weeks.
JackM

jackm1943 Loc: Omaha, Nebraska

Naturepics43, It appears you were absolutely correct, the package received included the adaptor but no lens. Minor concern for me tho because I already have the 4X objective and I plan to purchase a higher quality 10X objective than the one I thought would be included.
JackM

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Jack, If I were looking to buy a 10X microscope objective for macro photography, this is what I would look for:

1. One that is a "Finite" design that is designed for 160mm extension distance from the camera sensor to the mounting adapter.
2. One that is listed as "PLAN" which has a flat field of view for you will be using it for focus stacking.
3. One that is Achromatic as minimum color quality. Apochromatic is great yet many, many times the price.
4. Working distance. Pay attention to the numbers printed on the objective should it have one marked as WD for many of them have very, very close working distances which makes them impractical for photography work.

AmScope is a good place for quality objectives at quite reasonable prices. They also have people that you can talk to and message with any questions and if you are not pleased with the purchase it can be returned.

Here's the AmScope 10X Plan Finite Achromatic microscope objective that has a 5.84 mm working distance for $37.00 https://amscope.com/collections/microscope-parts-accessories-microscope-objective-lens-microscope-plan-achromatic-objective-lens/products/pa10xk-v300

jackm1943 Loc: Omaha, Nebraska

Thanks Sippy. I ordered that very one earlier today thru Amazon. Paid a little more but the shipping is free and I'll receive it in three days. The reviews are pretty good on this one compared to their lesser 10X objective. The adapter I received appears to be well made and works perfectly on my FF Canon fitted with an inexpensive bellows. I will purchase a more substantial bellows if need be. It will be tedious but I will see if I can do what I want to do as often as I want to do it with my SWEBO 0.01.

I'm recovering from recent knee replacement surgery and can't quite get down the stairs to my darkroom/studio yet, but hope to be able to in a couple of weeks.
JackM

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Jack, I doubt that you will find a need to replace your bellows as long as there are no holes in the material. I use a very old one that I got on the cheap and it works quite well. Tabletop macro is a fantastic hobby and pastime for anyone who may be mobility impaired for it can be done sitting at the kitchen table or countertop. I mounted mine on a 12-inch wide x 30-inch long piece of plywood when I first started and I could pick it up, move it or put it away. Here's something that may spur your imagination of what's possible. I bought the exact "positioner" that moves forward and back and left and right for $36 on Amazon and it is quite handy for staging the specimen before the camera...AND...it can be used for focus stacking by keeping the camera stationary and moving the specimen toward the camera in small increments. https://www.amazon.com/Tevedin-multifunctional-workbench-Multifunction-Worktable/dp/B09D74CW9P/ref=sr_1_36?keywords=sliding+work+table&qid=1637448067&sr=8-36

jackm1943 Loc: Omaha, Nebraska

Thanks again. I just ordered the adjustable stage and the helping hands thru Amazon. I'm amazed at how inexpensive some of this very useable equipment is.
Since I no longer am using my darkroom, I converted it to a fly tying room, then later to some sort of macro photo studio. This should go a long way toward completing this project and I'm amazed at how little I've had to spend so far.
JackM

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Jack, you are spot-on. The investment is far less than that of a typical macro lens alone. The Canon 100mm RF macro is $1,400 and the same goes for the Nikon macros and they are limited in how much magnification they can provide although the Canon MP-65E will go from 1X to 5X for about $1,500.

I invested less than $100 in my entire 4X setup and that included the objective, bellows, and adapters. I use two IKEA JANSJÖ LED desk lamps for my illumination and the slide table that I linked for the "X" and "Y" axis to position the subject and a 4"x4" laboratory scissor jack ($15) for the "Z" axis to raise and lower the subject before the camera. https://www.amazon.com/WISAMIC-Scissor-Platform-Stainless-Laboratory/dp/B0836GFJQC/ref=sr_1_8?keywords=laboratory+scissor+jack&qid=1637458971&s=hi&sr=1-8

Go to your local arts and crafts store and get a block (about the size of a pack of cigarettes) of plasticine modeling clay that will last a lifetime. It is ever so handy for sticking an insect mounting pin to hold the specimen before the camera. I made my "specimen positioner" from a $2.50 steel roller caster from the local hardware store that I tapped the bearing out of and placed it on top of the caster housing that I painted black. It is ever so handy for it will allow you to rotate, pitch and yaw the specimen before the lens. I set it on top of the laboratory scissor jack so I can move up and down, left and right, forward and back, and then use the positioner to fine-tune the placement of the specimen. Sounds easy, although at 4X magnification the slightest movement also moves 4X the distance when viewed through the camera.

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jackm1943 Loc: Omaha, Nebraska

Ha, I purchased that very scissor jack a couple of weeks ago, and I have a couple of small adjustable white LED lamps. I'm not planning to photograph insects but between the plasticine and the helper hands I should be able to hold just about anything I choose to look at.
Thanks again, JackM

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Jack, the last post, and then I'll let you go. IF....you have a Better Half, one of the best subjects for macro/micro photography is the reproductive parts of flowers. Of course, a clever man will say that I brought these thinking of you, dear. And taking one for yourself of course would be understandable.

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jackm1943 Loc: Omaha, Nebraska

Thanks Sippy. I love this image, that's exactly the type of subject I'm mostly interested in.
JackM