My Current Micro/Macro Rig
May 26, 2019 22:17:42 #
I've posted quite a few stacked images lately and I thought perhaps some may want to know what I use to do them so here it is.
The camera is a Nikon D810 although that's not important for any digital camera will do well. Starting at the lens end is the SCHNEIDER KREUZNACH COMPONON 50MM F2.8 LENS which I mount in reverse. This lens is connected directly to a RAYNOX M-150 LENS which is also reverse mounted (thus two lenses in series).
These two lenses are connected to 160mm of M42 size extension tubes with an M42 to Nikon mount adapter. This arrangement allows me to also use Infinity Microscope Objectives instead of the Enlarger Lens (Infinity Microscope Objectives require an equivalent 200mm tube lens focused to infinity which is what the RAYNOX and the extension tubes provide).
Illumination is provided by two IKEA LED desk lamps. The overhead LED lamp is used as a work lamp to help me see what I'm doing and to help focus the camera on the subject. I turn it off when shooting stacked images.
I diffuse the light with two stacked translucent drink cups that I place a white paper towel between them. I cut a section of the out so that it can go over the top of the subject. I hot glued a wooden match stick on the bottom to hold it in place. I cut out various colored papers to place on the inside bottom of the cup to serve as a colored background. When I do a black background I use the same type of cup arrangement except I cut the bottom out and place a piece of black velvet cloth behind it so the camera sees the black behind the subject.
I use an inexpensive sliding work table for the main X&Y axis to bring the subject into focus range. On that I have a 4-way macro rail that I attach a magic arm with an alligator clip to hold the specimen and an alligator clip above that to hold the light diffuser over it.
The camera is mounted on a manual screw drive macro rail which is mounted onto a WeMacro digital motorized focus stacking rail. I manually crank the camera to fine tune focus and then let the digital rail focus from its start to finish distance which is 10-microns per step for this particular lens arrangement.
The final image is the complete setup that I am currently using as well as using it with the 4X and 10X Microscope Objectives at times.
The camera and the digital focus stacking rail are connected to a laptop computer which controls them both. The "Light Bulb Butt" fly that I posted today was taken with this setup and it was comprised of 640 individual images stacked into one using Zerene Stacker Pro.
The camera is a Nikon D810 although that's not important for any digital camera will do well. Starting at the lens end is the SCHNEIDER KREUZNACH COMPONON 50MM F2.8 LENS which I mount in reverse. This lens is connected directly to a RAYNOX M-150 LENS which is also reverse mounted (thus two lenses in series).
These two lenses are connected to 160mm of M42 size extension tubes with an M42 to Nikon mount adapter. This arrangement allows me to also use Infinity Microscope Objectives instead of the Enlarger Lens (Infinity Microscope Objectives require an equivalent 200mm tube lens focused to infinity which is what the RAYNOX and the extension tubes provide).
Illumination is provided by two IKEA LED desk lamps. The overhead LED lamp is used as a work lamp to help me see what I'm doing and to help focus the camera on the subject. I turn it off when shooting stacked images.
I diffuse the light with two stacked translucent drink cups that I place a white paper towel between them. I cut a section of the out so that it can go over the top of the subject. I hot glued a wooden match stick on the bottom to hold it in place. I cut out various colored papers to place on the inside bottom of the cup to serve as a colored background. When I do a black background I use the same type of cup arrangement except I cut the bottom out and place a piece of black velvet cloth behind it so the camera sees the black behind the subject.
I use an inexpensive sliding work table for the main X&Y axis to bring the subject into focus range. On that I have a 4-way macro rail that I attach a magic arm with an alligator clip to hold the specimen and an alligator clip above that to hold the light diffuser over it.
The camera is mounted on a manual screw drive macro rail which is mounted onto a WeMacro digital motorized focus stacking rail. I manually crank the camera to fine tune focus and then let the digital rail focus from its start to finish distance which is 10-microns per step for this particular lens arrangement.
The final image is the complete setup that I am currently using as well as using it with the 4X and 10X Microscope Objectives at times.
The camera and the digital focus stacking rail are connected to a laptop computer which controls them both. The "Light Bulb Butt" fly that I posted today was taken with this setup and it was comprised of 640 individual images stacked into one using Zerene Stacker Pro.
SCHNEIDER COMPONON 50MM F2.8 ENLARGER LENS
(Download)
RAYNOX M-150 LENS
(Download)
160mm of M42 SIZE EXTENSION TUBE
(Download)
ASSEMBLED LENSES (REVERSE MOUNTED)
(Download)
TRANSLUCENT DRINK CUP DIFFUSER
(Download)
XZY SPECIMEN STAGES
(Download)
IKEA LED DESK LAMP ILLUMINATION
(Download)
COMPLETE MICRO/MACRO RIG
(Download)
May 27, 2019 12:25:59 #
May 27, 2019 13:23:44 #
Napabob, it wasn't a large investment compared to other high magnification options and its flexibility. I got the enlarger lens on Ebay for $35. The extension tubes with adapters were about another $35. The Raynox DCR-150 lens was $62.
The enlarger lens can be used either with or without the Raynox lens. The Raynox lens can mount on a regular macro or non-macro lens to provide increased magnification.
I buy my microscope objectives from AmScope for between $25 and $45 new and I can use them in lieu of the enlarger lens for different magnification arrangements. I can also choose to use a bellows instead of extension tubes for more flexibility. If I use Finite microscope objectives all I need is the extension tubes. If I use the Infinite microscope objectives I couple them to the Raynox which becomes the 'tube lens' which infinity objectives require.
Of course none of this is practical to take to the field for the depth of field is truly razor thin and no vibration or movement can be tolerated. That's where your MP-65E shines as a world-class lens.
The enlarger lens can be used either with or without the Raynox lens. The Raynox lens can mount on a regular macro or non-macro lens to provide increased magnification.
I buy my microscope objectives from AmScope for between $25 and $45 new and I can use them in lieu of the enlarger lens for different magnification arrangements. I can also choose to use a bellows instead of extension tubes for more flexibility. If I use Finite microscope objectives all I need is the extension tubes. If I use the Infinite microscope objectives I couple them to the Raynox which becomes the 'tube lens' which infinity objectives require.
Of course none of this is practical to take to the field for the depth of field is truly razor thin and no vibration or movement can be tolerated. That's where your MP-65E shines as a world-class lens.
May 28, 2019 03:11:13 #
That is impressive. It may be useful to add that to the list of equipment at the start of the macro section.
May 28, 2019 08:53:11 #
I've gotten some questions from folks that drop by the forum so I thought that it would be fitting to show how I approach my venture into micro/macro photography and how relatively inexpensive it can be compared to other options.
I also thought that it would make a good consideration of a hobby for those who may be mobility impaired or have other conditions that restrict or prevent them from holding a camera still or in position long enough to fully enjoy it.
I set my equipment up in a small bedroom in the basement on an old countertop so it does not take a lot of space or a custom space. I started by mounting my camera on a 12-inch wide x 30-inch long piece of 3/4" plywood and set weights on both ends to hold it still. I could pick everything up and move it or put it away with ease. My first macro focus rail was a $30 4-way manual rail which worked very well and I learned a lot using it.
Hopefully others can be inspired as well.
I also thought that it would make a good consideration of a hobby for those who may be mobility impaired or have other conditions that restrict or prevent them from holding a camera still or in position long enough to fully enjoy it.
I set my equipment up in a small bedroom in the basement on an old countertop so it does not take a lot of space or a custom space. I started by mounting my camera on a 12-inch wide x 30-inch long piece of 3/4" plywood and set weights on both ends to hold it still. I could pick everything up and move it or put it away with ease. My first macro focus rail was a $30 4-way manual rail which worked very well and I learned a lot using it.
Hopefully others can be inspired as well.
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