sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

The black ant is one of my favorite subjects to stage for experimenting sessions and this was one of them today. I'm playing around with ways to diffuse the illumination for my focus stacking sessions as I wait for the new microscope variable LED light source to arrive.

(Download)

Gianfranco47 Loc: Senoia GA

All my compliments for your exceptional photos , I’m trying to do some shots about macro but with my stuff I cannot reach enlargements like yours most probably I miss something , here is my stuff
Nikon D4 , Nikon bellows , el Nikkor lens reversed ,using all of these I cannot reach the face of the ant , how can I buy other ?
Your suggestion is we’re well accepted , you are master of this
Regards

ecobin Loc: Paoli, PA

That one could give children nightmares! Exceptionally good stack Gary.

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Thanks for viewing and for asking. I'm using a ASP-C sensor camera so that produces a different field of view than when I was using my D810 full-frame camera so that is one reason there is a difference. Another reason is that when I reverse my 50mm enlarger lens similar to yours it does not have the same amount of magnification as this ant. I use the 50mm when I want to include more of the specimen in my views. I always adjust the bellows to create the amount of magnification needed to fill the frame. HOWEVER...when I use a reverse mounted 28mm enlarger lens on a bellows it reaches 6X magnification.

Now...when I was using my full-frame camera with my reversed 50mm, I mounted it on a reversed Raynox DCR-150 magnifying lens which increased the magnification. At times I also mounted a 2X teleconverter on the bellows which also increased the magnification. Attached is a photo of my arrangement with that and when I use extension tubes in lieu of the bellows.

By the way...that el Nikkor is an amazing lens and it produces some eye-popping details. Enlarger lenses are designed to have a flat depth of field. This is because they have to be razor sharp for something as thin as a piece of film negative which of course has no depth. That's why they are excellent for focus stacking.

HOWEVER...when I use a reverse mounted 28mm enlarger lens on a bellows alone it reaches 6X magnification.

Photos attached:
The first photo is the lens arrangement with a reversed enlarger lens and a 2X teleconverter.
The second photo is the use of the teleconverter connected to the bellows and the reversed enlarger lens.
The third photo is where I use the bellows connected to a reversed Raynox DCR-150 with a reversed enlarger lens.

(Download)


(Download)


(Download)

Gianfranco47 Loc: Senoia GA

Ad usual you are very cooperative, I’m studying what you have replied to me , cross fingers I’m trying to improve my shootings
Thanks again and happy new year
Gianfranco

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Gianfranco, I also use a variety of microscope objectives and a favorite source is AmScope where I buy them new. If you are using a bellows extend it so that the distance from the camera's sensor is 150mm to where the microscope objective threads in (RMS thread size for a standard microscope objective). The "Finite" microscope objectives are designed to have a total length of 160mm. Finite objectives do not require any "tube lens" as Infinite objectives do to focus.

Here's a link to a 10X Plan Achromatic Finite objective that sells for $37. You will also need to buy an adapter to go from your bellows mount to that of an RMS thread. I use M42 as my basis of standard so in my case I go from a Nikon F mount flange adapter with female M42 threads. Then a male M42 thread to RMS female thread adapter. Both can had on Amazon for only a few dollars each.

https://www.amscope.com/accessories/objective/plan/10x-plan-achromatic-compound-microscope-objective-lens-1.html

tinusbum Loc: east texas

very nice!

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Thanks, it's the holiday season so I'm just playing with my toys.