Focus versus Rail stacking Poll

xpatUSA wrote:

RobinHsherwood wrote:

xpatUSA wrote:

deanimator wrote:

xpatUSA wrote:

c h u n k wrote:

xpatUSA wrote:

deanimator wrote:

I use microscope objectives, so I don't have a choice. I HAVE to use a focus rail, in my case a Wemacro.

Thanks, I wasn't familiar with that genre. I should have made it clearer that I'm talking about simple objects like flowers, bugs, small artifacts, etc.

Many people use objectives for all of those subjects.

Pardon my ignorance but I don't understands "objectives". Are they the so-called close-up filters or the likes of the Raynoxes?

Neither. Google a picture of a microscope. Those cylinders protruding from the turret of he microscope are lens assemblies called "objectives". As a general rule, they have neither integral focus nor aperture mechanisms.

I see. So the "Many people" who "use objectives for all of those subjects" have gone out and bought fancy microscopes to shoot "flowers, bugs, small artifacts, etc".

I can't say that there is no 100:1 macro lens. I can say I've never heard of one. That's strictly the domain of microscope objectives... and electron microscopes.

I sense deliberate obfuscation, please desist ...

Ted,

It's NOT obfuscation, but an attempt to supply valuable information.

The many people mentioned do not buy fancy microscopes, but instead use one type of microscope objective directly mounted upon either extension tubes or bellows as shown below;

A 4X microscope objective mounted on extension tubes.

A 4X microscope objective mounted on bellows.

Another type of microscope objective requires the use of a 'tube lens' in order to focus the image, these tube lenses are usually medium telephoto (100-200 mm). Shown below is a 4X microscope lens of this infinite type, mounted on my 100 mm Macro lens.

A 4X infinite type microscope objective mounted on a 100 mm Macro lens.

I hope these illustrations provide some clarity to the discussion. If you require more information about this fascinating area of macro photography, please just ask.

I'm sorry, all that equipment is far beyond anything I was familiar with when I started this thread. So I stand befuddled before y'all and will duly retire, somewhat chastened.

Ted,

Please DON'T feel chastened, just somewhat enlightened about a complicated answer to your OP.

Best...