Images not sharp (Page 2): I see, by your equipment image, you are using aluminum/wood......Your problem is vibration; Not enough mass. I do science photography. My unit is an old...

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Images not sharp

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Feb 3, 2018 15:21:48 #

Boxcar21

I see, by your equipment image, you are using aluminum/wood......Your problem is vibration; Not enough mass. I do science photography. My unit is an old German 8X10 enlarger base of cast
iron and filled with lead shot. I have used bellows up to 48 inches with no problems. A micro adjustment for focus is a must. Also.......I don't use a shutter, I expose using strobes with a "Tent"
to control light distribution and angle. A dark studio is a big help.

Feb 3, 2018 16:33:52 #

fjwallace

RWR is correct - the objective is a 'finite' objective which means it needs a certain distance to focus (160 mm in this case) and I use the bellows to do that. I sue the Stackshot rail to move the camera for focusing.
Thanks!
Jon

Feb 3, 2018 16:39:32 #

fjwallace

I can literally yank on this equipment and nothing moves - everything is bolted to the ground and a heavy table and to the rails so, although it could still be vibration - it would have to be in my camera (I think)...
I still think this could be diffraction (f-40 would definitely cause diffraction.) but I don't understand why it looks sharp in the LCD viewer.
Maybe you are correct and it is vibration - what do I do to correct it - fill the rail with lead shot to provide more mass? I don't know how to proceed from this point to correct the problem.
Thanks all!

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Feb 3, 2018 17:22:41 #

Boxcar21

Something as simple as a passing car, refrigerator, forced air heating.........I've seen lab experiments with lasers placed on two ton granite slabs to eliminate vibration.
Vibration is the number one problem. Proof of this can be seen in the construction of atomic resolution microscopes. The system floats on a computer controlled foundation.
There is a problem with extreme magnification using glass lenses; "Hollow Magnification" However, I doubt this is your problem.

Feb 3, 2018 17:31:02 #

twowindsbear

What if you 'bypass' the shutter all together? Set up your shot, turn off the lights, open the shutter and then light your subject with flash units?

Good luck

Feb 3, 2018 17:37:30 #

Boxcar21

One thing you can do is take a shallow vessel with water and watch the surface for movement. I see this in restaurants within water glasses.

Feb 3, 2018 17:39:47 #

ELNikkor

Definitely vibration. Even if everything else is tightened down, what about the floor? Is it cement foundation? or are you above the basement? Traffic nearby, or someone walking in the house can jiggle a set-up like this.

Feb 3, 2018 18:06:12 #

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

fjwallace wrote:

I can literally yank on this equipment and nothing... (show quote)

Have you tried a rubber band to create side tension? Also are you incorporating the “pause” between takes? Another thing: is your rig vertically aligned? What I mean is: do your movements occur on a precise straight line? Early was a suggestion to isolate the issue by taking a single shot that has at least some portion in the plane of focus. This will help to identify possible diffraction limiting or whether or not the vibration comes from the movement of StackShot or the rig itself.

You may also want to read the FAQs on the Zerene website.

I can say this: “Mawyatt” on the UHH forum photographs high magnification stacks of computer chips. He will shoot several hundred slices. Pick his brain. He’s a helpful guy—and has a lot of experience shooting with microscope objectives at high magnification.

Here is a link to his post:
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-504229-1.html

Feb 3, 2018 21:35:13 #

carl hervol Loc: jacksonville florida

Why are you not using a 50MM or 100MM bellows lens this will salve all your problems .

Feb 3, 2018 21:42:17 #

Boxcar21

For the individuals suggesting lenses..........I use a collection of GOOD enlarging optics, no shutter. Expose with light source.

Feb 3, 2018 23:14:40 #

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

fjwallace wrote:

Hi, br I've been trying to improve my macro-photos... (show quote)

You have the basic concept, and need a few refinements. The first thing to do is get it working with a 4x or 5x objective. That will be much easier. Then go to a 10x, and only after that try a 20x.

Look on eBay for Unitron TL170 M objectives. Just make sure 5the front lens element has not been damaged. These objectives were designed for metallurgical work.

The Nikon objective you are using probably requires an ocular with matched correction, and will not produce sharp results.

With an objective designed for a 160mm tube you want 150mm of extension to get 5x magnification from a 5x objective, which is compensation for the non-existant ocular.

Check this web site for lots of great informaion;

http://www.photomacrography.net/

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Feb 4, 2018 02:15:30 #

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

Here’s a link to one of the most knowledgeable stackers....

http://extreme-macro.co.uk/zerene-stacker/

Feb 4, 2018 09:34:28 #

fjwallace

Hi,
I've never heard of a bellows lens. What are they and how would that help with vibration?
Thanks!

Feb 4, 2018 09:59:34 #

twowindsbear

fjwallace wrote:

Hi,
I've never heard of a bellows lens. What are they and how would that help with vibration?
Thanks!

As i understand them, this type of lens does not have a focusing mount and must be used with a bellows for focusing.

Feb 4, 2018 10:18:50 #

fjwallace

You've convinced me that it is vibration - any suggestions. My camera seems to be the source, when I touch the camera I can see movement. Should I bolt a piece of rail to the Stackshot to mount camera, bellows, etc. I will try the flash only (no shutter) to see if shutter adds to motion and try lower power. I also have a microscope and adapters and will try to attach that way to see if image improves.
Thanks again everyone!
Jon

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