Focus versus Rail stacking Poll

mawyatt2002 wrote:

deanimator wrote:

mawyatt2002 wrote:

deanimator 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.

How well does the infinite objective do with the 100mm macro lens as the tube lens? I've heard conflicting recommendations for and against.

As you probably know from the PM site, but maybe helpful for others this hasn't shown to be a exact science!!

The usual 100mm macro lens vignette when used as a "tube" lens for quality objectives like the Mitutoyo inf. 200mm types. When I tried my Nikon 105mm VR and 70-200mm VR set to 100mm, the results were poor. The 70-200mm works well at 200mm but not 100mm.

I purchased a Rokinon 135mm F2 a couple years ago because the IQ from this lens is superb, stunningly sharp on a Nikon D800E or D850 (not a total surprise since this is likely a direct copy of the Zeiss 135 F2 design). Used as a "tube" lens the results were dismal, however it did perform well when used as a stacked lens combo with a good 50mm for 2.7X work.

So it's generally best to experiment rather than try to figure out what works well and what doesn't, but the shorter FL lens tend to vignette with inf. corrected 200mm objectives like the Mitty's.

Best,

I have a 100mm Tokina macro plus several zoom lenses to try when I finally have an infinite objective. The truth is that I trust Wemacro, and since they have a turnkey Raynox solution, I'll probably go that route.

You can't go wrong with the Raynox 150 or 250, they are both superb as tube lenses. The Wemacro turnkey Pro Raynox setup looks very intriguing indeed!!

The Raynox 150 seems like the way to go, at least based on comments on PMN.

I won't be anywhere near pulling the trigger before Christmas.  Having just finished my definitive rig, I've only scratched the surface with my finite objectives.  The 10x was always good and the 10x seems to have promise now that I'm using it properly on a decent rig.  I'm gearing up to do some invertebrate collection, so I'll finally have some interesting subjects, probably mostly isopods and millipedes.

RobinHsherwood wrote:

deanimator wrote:

RobinHsherwood wrote:

deanimator wrote:

RobinHsherwood wrote:

deanimator wrote:

I have an old Minolta 100-200mm zoom. I might try that when I finally have an infinite objective.

Amscope have had both the 4X and 10X infinites on sale recently, you could get both for under $100.00.

In the meantime, if you have the Raynox 150 and 250, try them individually and also stacked on the Minolta zoom. It provides mags ranging from 0.49X to 4.09X.

Minolta 100-300 mm zoom at 300 mm plus Raynox 150 & 250 Mag = 4.09X Wing scales of Madagascar sunset moth. Chrysiridia rhipheus

Best......

I'll probably end up going with the turnkey Raynox package from Wemacro.

I'll be very interested in your impressions when you get it. I'm interested in their Vertical and horizontal stand.

From what I've heard, the Wemacro stand is very good.  Since I live in a cracker box of an apartment, across the street from a busy interstate highway, I needed something far more substantial, in my case aluminum  profile mounted on an 18" x 24" x 5/8" steel plate.

RobinHsherwood wrote:

deanimator wrote:

RobinHsherwood wrote:

deanimator wrote:

RobinHsherwood wrote:

deanimator wrote:

I have an old Minolta 100-200mm zoom. I might try that when I finally have an infinite objective.

Amscope have had both the 4X and 10X infinites on sale recently, you could get both for under $100.00.

In the meantime, if you have the Raynox 150 and 250, try them individually and also stacked on the Minolta zoom. It provides mags ranging from 0.49X to 4.09X.

Minolta 100-300 mm zoom at 300 mm plus Raynox 150 & 250 Mag = 4.09X Wing scales of Madagascar sunset moth. Chrysiridia rhipheus

Best......

I'll probably end up going with the turnkey Raynox package from Wemacro.

I'll be very interested in your impressions when you get it. I'm interested in their Vertical and horizontal stand.

Robin,

I have the Wemacro Vertical Stand (actually have 2) since it was introduced about 3 years ago. This is one of the best values around, these stands are small, portable, but sturdy. Built with heavy duty components, which alone would cost more than the stand.

The horizontal use (helped develop the original concept on the horizontal use) is also sturdy and portable. Just a few minutes to convert from Vertical to Horizontal use.

If you decide on this approach, purchase an additional 1/4-20 to M8 adapter with the Horizontal Option, tell William at Wemacro you discussed this with me and he will know what to include.

Best,

Wemacro Vertical Stand

Wemacro Vertical Stand in Horizontal Mode

Wemacro Vertical Stand in Vertical and Horizontal mode

RobinHsherwood wrote:

mawyatt2002 wrote:

RobinHsherwood wrote:

deanimator wrote:

RobinHsherwood wrote:

deanimator wrote:

RobinHsherwood wrote:

deanimator wrote:

I have an old Minolta 100-200mm zoom. I might try that when I finally have an infinite objective.

Amscope have had both the 4X and 10X infinites on sale recently, you could get both for under $100.00.

In the meantime, if you have the Raynox 150 and 250, try them individually and also stacked on the Minolta zoom. It provides mags ranging from 0.49X to 4.09X.

Minolta 100-300 mm zoom at 300 mm plus Raynox 150 & 250 Mag = 4.09X Wing scales of Madagascar sunset moth. Chrysiridia rhipheus

Best......

I'll probably end up going with the turnkey Raynox package from Wemacro.

I'll be very interested in your impressions when you get it. I'm interested in their Vertical and horizontal stand.

Robin,

I have the Wemacro Vertical Stand (actually have 2) since it was introduced about 3 years ago. This is one of the best values around, these stands are small, portable, but sturdy. Built with heavy duty components, which alone would cost more than the stand.

The horizontal use (helped develop the original concept on the horizontal use) is also sturdy and portable. Just a few minutes to convert from Vertical to Horizontal use.

If you decide on this approach, purchase an additional 1/4-20 to M8 adapter with the Horizontal Option, tell William at Wemacro you discussed this with me and he will know what to include.

Best,

Wemacro Vertical Stand

Wemacro Vertical Stand in Horizontal Mode

Wemacro Vertical Stand in Vertical and Horizontal mode

Mike,

It was your postings about this stand that originally peaked my interest, thanks for the additional info.

BTW, what is the extra 1/4-20 to M8 adapter for?

Robin,

Great question!!

The additional adapter allows the stand 40mm square bar to be supported in 3 locations, rather than 2, while in horizontal mode. This provides a tad more stiffness. You can see the two 1/4" bolts and washers.

Here's both the V and H positions for the stands, note long ARCA clamps to hold the rails and ARCA plate on the end to hold the subject positioner.

You can see the adapters supporting the 40mm square bar.

You can see the adapters supporting the 40mm square bar.

Note two 1/4-20 to M8 adapters

The left is the bottom of the vertical stand, the right is the end view of the 40mm square bar in horizontal use with vertical ARCA plate for subject mounting. The 40mm bar has the center hole on each end tapped for a long bolt. The base has a hole drilled to allow the bolt to pass thru and engage the 40mm bar center tapped threads, this adds additional rigidity without much cost. For horizontal the bolt passes thur the ARCA plate into the 40mm bar, also adding additional rigidity without much cost.

Note bolts that thread thru into the 40mm square bar.

Hope this helps show the concepts of the Wemacro Vertical and Horizontal Stand.

Best,

D Cox wrote:

deanimator wrote:

RobinHsherwood wrote:

deanimator wrote:

RobinHsherwood wrote:

deanimator wrote:

RobinHsherwood wrote:

deanimator wrote:

I have an old Minolta 100-200mm zoom. I might try that when I finally have an infinite objective.

Amscope have had both the 4X and 10X infinites on sale recently, you could get both for under $100.00.

In the meantime, if you have the Raynox 150 and 250, try them individually and also stacked on the Minolta zoom. It provides mags ranging from 0.49X to 4.09X.

Minolta 100-300 mm zoom at 300 mm plus Raynox 150 & 250 Mag = 4.09X Wing scales of Madagascar sunset moth. Chrysiridia rhipheus

Best......

I'll probably end up going with the turnkey Raynox package from Wemacro.

I'll be very interested in your impressions when you get it. I'm interested in their Vertical and horizontal stand.

From what I've heard, the Wemacro stand is very good. Since I live in a cracker box of an apartment, across the street from a busy interstate highway, I needed something far more substantial, in my case aluminum profile mounted on an 18" x 24" x 5/8" steel plate.

I think in your situation you mainly need isolation. Mount that steel plate on rubber to absorb vibrations coming up from the floor.

It's on Sorbothane feet.