New Vertical / Horizontal Macro Platform
Jan 9, 2019 17:33:30 #
My vertical/horizontal macro rail stand arrived today so I had to put it together and try it out. In the photos below are images of it with the manual 4-way macro rail with an alligator clip to hold the subject and it also accommodates my 4x4 lab scissor jack for shots that require a flat surface which I used for this image.
I cut the bottom out of a 10-oz. translucent plastic drink cup and placed it over one of my crickets that I set on a piece of twig to stage this shot. I illuminated the cup with two gooseneck LED's from opposite sides and from the front with a disk LED gooseneck lamp. This essentially created a "light tube" to illuminate the cricket.
The camera was set at a shutter speed of 1/30th second and the lens was set at 2X with an f-stop of f-11.
Thanks in advance to all those who view and your comments, suggestions and critique are highly valued and appreciated.
I cut the bottom out of a 10-oz. translucent plastic drink cup and placed it over one of my crickets that I set on a piece of twig to stage this shot. I illuminated the cup with two gooseneck LED's from opposite sides and from the front with a disk LED gooseneck lamp. This essentially created a "light tube" to illuminate the cricket.
The camera was set at a shutter speed of 1/30th second and the lens was set at 2X with an f-stop of f-11.
Thanks in advance to all those who view and your comments, suggestions and critique are highly valued and appreciated.
Jan 9, 2019 22:06:55 #
Wow! Do you use a 90 deg. attachment to see through the viewfinder? Why the scissor jack? Does the camera not move up and down on the vertical column? It looks like an amazing setup.
Jan 9, 2019 22:37:10 #
Thanks for viewing. The cricket is one that I bought at the Pet Shop that they sell as feeders. You may recognize them as good panfish bait like bluegill or crappie.
I connect the camera to a computer so I "live view" what the camera sees. The computer also allows me to zoom in (or out) so that I can truly see how focused it is. The software that I use is a free Open Source program (yep, it's fantastic and it is really free) http://digicamcontrol.com/ You can control all of the aspects of your camera via your computer. It was developed by Nikon and released to the Open Source Society free to the public. The Open Source Community has other programs such as GIMP, Inkscape, Open Office, etc.
The camera moves vertically up and down via a motorized rail (I can also set it up for horizontal use to move forward and back). I use the lab scissor jack to serve as a flat surface to place the subject on and to raise or lower the subject to an initial height that the camera can start to focus. Because subjects vary in size, the jack allows me to compensate for their differences in height.
I start by setting the lens magnification factor (the Laowa 60mm f-2.8 Super Macro goes from 0.5:1 up to 2:1). I do this to get the subject to fill the frame so a lens that is adjustable helps a lot.
With that done, the next thing I do is to set the f-stop. I typically go from 5.6 to 11 with this lens. I stage the lighting to illuminate the subject from multiple directions to eliminate shadows. I use a translucent plastic cup to encircle the subject which glows when the LED lights shine through it. You can see this in the image of the rig that I posted below the cricket.
The final set is to dial the shutter speed as I watch the camera's light meter. Because the camera is firmly mounted a slow shutter speed poses no problem. In this case it ended up at 1/30th second.
I shoot in the Mirror Up mode to avoid vibration of the mirror slap as the shutter releases. The shutter is released remotely so I never touch the camera once shooting starts.
I retired a year ago and the guys and gals on the UHH True Macro Photography forum have provided support, advice and inspiration through my journey through macro photography for which I am ever so thankful.
I connect the camera to a computer so I "live view" what the camera sees. The computer also allows me to zoom in (or out) so that I can truly see how focused it is. The software that I use is a free Open Source program (yep, it's fantastic and it is really free) http://digicamcontrol.com/ You can control all of the aspects of your camera via your computer. It was developed by Nikon and released to the Open Source Society free to the public. The Open Source Community has other programs such as GIMP, Inkscape, Open Office, etc.
The camera moves vertically up and down via a motorized rail (I can also set it up for horizontal use to move forward and back). I use the lab scissor jack to serve as a flat surface to place the subject on and to raise or lower the subject to an initial height that the camera can start to focus. Because subjects vary in size, the jack allows me to compensate for their differences in height.
I start by setting the lens magnification factor (the Laowa 60mm f-2.8 Super Macro goes from 0.5:1 up to 2:1). I do this to get the subject to fill the frame so a lens that is adjustable helps a lot.
With that done, the next thing I do is to set the f-stop. I typically go from 5.6 to 11 with this lens. I stage the lighting to illuminate the subject from multiple directions to eliminate shadows. I use a translucent plastic cup to encircle the subject which glows when the LED lights shine through it. You can see this in the image of the rig that I posted below the cricket.
The final set is to dial the shutter speed as I watch the camera's light meter. Because the camera is firmly mounted a slow shutter speed poses no problem. In this case it ended up at 1/30th second.
I shoot in the Mirror Up mode to avoid vibration of the mirror slap as the shutter releases. The shutter is released remotely so I never touch the camera once shooting starts.
I retired a year ago and the guys and gals on the UHH True Macro Photography forum have provided support, advice and inspiration through my journey through macro photography for which I am ever so thankful.
Jan 9, 2019 22:57:59 #
Jan 10, 2019 00:03:07 #
Jan 10, 2019 09:40:01 #
Jan 10, 2019 09:45:55 #
sippyjug104 wrote:
.......I retired a year ago and the guys and gals on the UHH True Macro Photography forum have provided support, advice and inspiration through my journey through macro photography for which I am ever so thankful.
.......I retired a year ago and the guys and gals on the UHH True Macro Photography forum have provided support, advice and inspiration through my journey through macro photography for which I am ever so thankful.
We didn't know what we were unleashing when we made some simple suggestions to your first posts
The download makes all the difference to this shot, well done.Jan 10, 2019 10:17:26 #
The stand is very well made and rock steady. It is convertible to mount the camera both vertically and horizontally.
Here's the link to the stand https://www.wemacro.com/?product=vertical-stand
When you follow the link you will see that it comes with a 4-way manual focus rail. This is for mounting the subject on and you adjust it to bring the subject into focus of the camera.
You can shoot with or without a focus rail for the camera as well.
Here's the link to the stand https://www.wemacro.com/?product=vertical-stand
When you follow the link you will see that it comes with a 4-way manual focus rail. This is for mounting the subject on and you adjust it to bring the subject into focus of the camera.
You can shoot with or without a focus rail for the camera as well.
Jan 10, 2019 10:24:15 #
Brenda, thankfully you were one of my supporters here that helped pull the cork out of the bottle to release the Genie! I'm ever so happy to have found this hobby and to have those with like-minds to share with each other.
Jan 10, 2019 11:00:22 #
sippyjug104 wrote:
My vertical/horizontal macro rail stand arrived to... (show quote)
Good morning. I see you are online.
Impressive rig. The higher x microscope lens would work with it. The finite adjustment capabilities and lack of movement, along with your expertise assure some eye popping work come spring.
Keep at it. Your lead is upping the bar all around. So time to practice.
Bill
Jan 10, 2019 13:24:54 #
Jan 10, 2019 14:08:45 #
sippyjug104 wrote:
My vertical/horizontal macro rail stand arrived to... (show quote)
A side note. I went on line, found the jack, runs from under $15 to over $60. So I found one for $65 with a make offer note. I offered $16 or so. NO. I ordered one for about $15 to my door, same item, from another vendor. I post this here to show that if you buy on line INVEST, INVESTIGATE. Then you can buy more goodies.
Exemplary work, Gary.
Bill
Jan 11, 2019 10:56:05 #
sippyjug104 wrote:
The stand is very well made and rock steady. It is convertible to mount the camera both vertically and horizontally.
Here's the link to the stand https://www.wemacro.com/?product=vertical-stand
When you follow the link you will see that it comes with a 4-way manual focus rail. This is for mounting the subject on and you adjust it to bring the subject into focus of the camera.
You can shoot with or without a focus rail for the camera as well.
Here's the link to the stand https://www.wemacro.com/?product=vertical-stand
When you follow the link you will see that it comes with a 4-way manual focus rail. This is for mounting the subject on and you adjust it to bring the subject into focus of the camera.
You can shoot with or without a focus rail for the camera as well.
Nice setup and images!!
If you have access to a drill and tap you can improve the stiffness of the excellent WeMacro Stand as shown here with just an M8 bolt and washer.
http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=38838
Best,
Jan 11, 2019 11:48:01 #
Thanks for passing that thread along. I'm a former mechanical guy with access to a machine shop were I was employed before retirement so I'll be able to make that modification.
Jan 11, 2019 12:26:24 #
I did it with just a cheap Harbor Freight Drill press and tap set, so this would be trivial for you being a ME and having access to a proper shop!! You might want to consider the longer Misumi 40mm bar discussed below for horizontal use as the WeMacro supplied bar (480mm) is a little short for horizontal use with low magnification, long working distance lenses.
Here's some more links of the WeMacro Vertical and Horizontal Stands. I'm using these for Precision Stack & Stitch work, they are really good products IMO.
http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=38511
http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=38512
Best,
Here's some more links of the WeMacro Vertical and Horizontal Stands. I'm using these for Precision Stack & Stitch work, they are really good products IMO.
http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=38511
http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=38512
Best,
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