How about a do it yourself macro slide

I've searched the internet and the forums and have been unable to find a do it yourself macro slide. With all the creative geniouses out there I can't believe there isn't someone who has come up with such a device to avoid paying $75 or more for a macro slide.

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Kugawa Kennels
Basenji Breeder and Beer Brewer

A couple of years ago when I was using a kodak DC280 (complete with the macro lens) I simply sat slides on top of a drinking glass, and photographed the slide. The glass provided sufficient backlight. Not first class results but was acceptable at the time - it was certainly cheap!

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Phil A
http://www.pbase.com/philinnz
cp5000, SB26, WC-E68, TC-E2

You have to have a Cokin filter setup for my invention. One CD jewel case gave its life for the cause. The gray layer is double sided foam tape. Works great!



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Thanks for reading......keep on clicking!
Dave
NIKON Fifty-Seven Hundred

Actually, the responses are not what I was looking for but are interesting by themselves for problem solving in macro photography. What I was really looking for was, I am drawing a blank on what might be the right term, macro focusing rails? Perhaps that I could build myself? I like to tinker but am usually unsuccessful solving this type of problem on my own. The commercial ones usually have gradations similar to a micrometer. I would envision something screw based but can't figure out how to fix a platform to the camera for close focusing that would give smooth focus capability. I probably will splurge, eventually, an by a macro focusing rail but would like to try building one first.

Dave Van Patten said:

You have to have a Cokin filter setup for my invention. One CD
jewel case gave its life for the cause. The gray layer is double
sided foam tape. Works great!



--
Thanks for reading......keep on clicking!
Dave
NIKON Fifty-Seven Hundred

Click to expand...

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Kugawa Kennels
Basenji Breeder and Beer Brewer

Sidney

I have been thinking how I could make a sliding device for macro shooting. I have not yet come up with a design but I have been looking at cabinet drawer sliders. The high quality ones are very well made and use ball bearing slides. Another piece of cabinet hardware I have looked at are "entertainment center pocket door sliders." I saw one that was like a track on a bull dozer or tank but only about 1/2 inch thick by about 1 inch wide. It was made out of some type of plastic and very high quality.
I really haven't any ideas yet how I might use these items.

If you come up with any ideas for a slider that you think might work please pass them along as I would be most interested.
Here is a picture of a salesmens sample of an Accuride drawer slide.



acknack

Sidney Sher said:

I've searched the internet and the forums and have been unable to
find a do it yourself macro slide. With all the creative geniouses
out there I can't believe there isn't someone who has come up with
such a device to avoid paying $75 or more for a macro slide.

--
Kugawa Kennels
Basenji Breeder and Beer Brewer

Click to expand...

Sidney Sher said:

I've searched the internet and the forums and have been unable to
find a do it yourself macro slide. With all the creative geniouses
out there I can't believe there isn't someone who has come up with
such a device to avoid paying $75 or more for a macro slide.

--
Kugawa Kennels
Basenji Breeder and Beer Brewer

Click to expand...

Go to a woodworking site and for about $40 you can get a cross slide drill press vise, this gives you movement in 2 axis.

Here's a URL for one:

http://www.woodworkerswarehouse.com/shopItemDetail.asp?SID=&txtproductId=NNDV4PJ&txtQueryID=&txtKeyword=vise&selCategory=&selPrice=&absPage=2&shopperid=BK5ML4NVU0WC9KK3G9KWRSK5DNV37PW8

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Jim M.

Oly 340R & Nikon 5700 and 995 & TC-E2, Kenko KUT-832, HP S20 & Epson 1250 Scanners.
Pbase Supporter, FCAS Member
http://www.pbase.com/jimm