DPReview.com is closing April 10th - Find out more

I think I have reached the limit.

Started 4 months ago | Discussions
SigmaTog
SigmaTog Senior Member • Posts: 1,114
I think I have reached the limit.
2

I think I have reached the limit, with this macro rail, camera & lens. 20x macro is demanding, 20mp Sigma fp, Canon 20mm f3.5 on 430mm tubes & the Nisi macro rail, have done their service admirably, for single shots.

There is just too much flexing & vibrations in the system for photo stacking.

A much sturdier & refined system is needed if I want to see the structure of 'Structural Colour', I think.

Here is my latest photo with the set-up I have, it is a single shot of a steel ruler showing a 1mm division. It shows a lot of dirt particles, that aren't apparent to the eye.

3D Gunner Senior Member • Posts: 1,025
Re: I think I have reached the limit.
2

This level of magnification far surpasses the possibilities of any photo lens-based system.

SigmaTog
OP SigmaTog Senior Member • Posts: 1,114
Re: I think I have reached the limit.

3D Gunner wrote:

This level of magnification far surpasses the possibilities of any photo lens-based system.

Thank you.

grsnovi Veteran Member • Posts: 3,030
Re: I think I have reached the limit.
2

SigmaTog wrote:

...if I want to see the structure of 'Structural Colour', I think.

I'm not sure what you're trying to see. Can you explain?

I'm also looking to refine my macro setup. I recently picked-up a 30mm macro for my MFT system (because it can do the stacking in camera) and I wasn't impressed.

Now I'm pondering a lens for my FF system and I'm waffling between the Sony 90 and (possibly) the Laowa 90 APO (which is half the cost).

I recently took a similar shot to the one you have above:

Starrett steel rule with 1/64 scale side up and small watch screw

 grsnovi's gear list:grsnovi's gear list
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX85 Sony SLT-A65 Sony a7R III Panasonic Lumix DC-GX9 OM-1 +11 more
SigmaTog
OP SigmaTog Senior Member • Posts: 1,114
Re: I think I have reached the limit.
1

Very nice, something I need to aim for & similar magnification.
Can I guess this is a stack ?
I am interested in seeing the structure on a Green Jewel Beetle that gives it its iridescence, it is called 'Structural Colour'.
The surface is similar to a diffraction grating & reflects particular colours depending on the size of the pattern.

grsnovi Veteran Member • Posts: 3,030
Re: I think I have reached the limit.

SigmaTog wrote:

Very nice,

Thanks.

Can I guess this is a stack ?

Yes, stacked in Affinity Photo. Shot using my a65 through my AmScope.

I am interested in seeing the structure on a Green Jewel Beetle that gives it its iridescence, it is called 'Structural Colour'.

I suspect that in order to see the structure, you're going to need significant magnification.

Trinocular AmScope with adapter to APS-C camera

 grsnovi's gear list:grsnovi's gear list
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX85 Sony SLT-A65 Sony a7R III Panasonic Lumix DC-GX9 OM-1 +11 more
SigmaTog
OP SigmaTog Senior Member • Posts: 1,114
Re: I think I have reached the limit.

Thanks again.
I like your rig & it looks like something I'll need too 

3D Gunner Senior Member • Posts: 1,025
Re: I think I have reached the limit.
1

So, I managed to capture a detail in a frame less than 1mm wide (~0.8mm FOV) without using a microscope, i.e. with the device commonly used for macro photography.
Pictured is a stack of 154 images taken at low resolution (6MP), just for testing and without some super macro accessories (extra stabilizer and fine feed screw).

I'll give details in a separate thread about what the image is about.
The lens used in this example is a very old one. With quality microscope lenses you can get amazing detail.

SigmaTog
OP SigmaTog Senior Member • Posts: 1,114
Re: I think I have reached the limit.

Thank you
I look forwards to your post.

gmcooper Regular Member • Posts: 471
Re: I think I have reached the limit.

Who makes a really top-notch pro macro rail?

 gmcooper's gear list:gmcooper's gear list
Canon EOS 5D Mark II Canon EOS M Canon EOS 5DS R Canon EOS M3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX85 +5 more
SigmaTog
OP SigmaTog Senior Member • Posts: 1,114
Re: I think I have reached the limit.

gmcooper wrote:

Who makes a really top-notch pro macro rail?

WeMacro has a strong rail that can be assembled horizontal or vertical & lots of accessories.
https://www.wemacro.com/?product=vertical-stand

gmcooper Regular Member • Posts: 471
Re: I think I have reached the limit.

Thank you.

 gmcooper's gear list:gmcooper's gear list
Canon EOS 5D Mark II Canon EOS M Canon EOS 5DS R Canon EOS M3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX85 +5 more
jim mij Senior Member • Posts: 1,027
Re: I think I have reached the limit.
1

SigmaTog wrote:

gmcooper wrote:

Who makes a really top-notch pro macro rail?

WeMacro has a strong rail that can be assembled horizontal or vertical & lots of accessories.
https://www.wemacro.com/?product=vertical-stand

and a review by Allan Wells

(3) WeMacro Focus Stacking Rail - the review - YouTube

-- hide signature --

Jim

 jim mij's gear list:jim mij's gear list
Canon EOS M6 II Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM Kenko Teleplus Pro 300 AF 1.4x Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM
Guito55 Regular Member • Posts: 201
Re: I think I have reached the limit.

There is a product uChart I think (the u being the u that means really small) that has just launched with some test charts that look good. I've backed other products from them and been impressed. If you want more details let me know.

SigmaTog
OP SigmaTog Senior Member • Posts: 1,114
Re: I think I have reached the limit.

Guito55 wrote:

There is a product uChart I think (the u being the u that means really small) that has just launched with some test charts that look good. I've backed other products from them and been impressed. If you want more details let me know.

I am interested to know more please.

Guito55 Regular Member • Posts: 201
Re: I think I have reached the limit.

I don't know by if I'm allowed to post Kickstarter links. Their fingertip microscope apparently made some Time Magazine top list. The chart they included with that was cool. I have backed their new test charts and absolutely trust their designs.

Montanawildlives Senior Member • Posts: 1,845
Re: I think I have reached the limit.

Great to see people really pushing the limits.

-- hide signature --
 Montanawildlives's gear list:Montanawildlives's gear list
Fujifilm X-T1 Nikon D500 Fujifilm X-T3 Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm F1.8G Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D +7 more
iso rivolta Senior Member • Posts: 1,023
Re: I think I have reached the limit.
2

SigmaTog wrote:

Very nice, something I need to aim for & similar magnification.
Can I guess this is a stack ?
I am interested in seeing the structure on a Green Jewel Beetle that gives it its iridescence, it is called 'Structural Colour'.
The surface is similar to a diffraction grating & reflects particular colours depending on the size of the pattern.

For seeing the cuticle structure that creates green constructive interference in jewel beetles, the method of choice is scanning electron microscopy in metalized thin transverse sections of cuticle. You will not see the structure that creates light interference using light (meaning similar wavelengths). The space between cuticle layers in a multilayer reflector is on the order of the wavelength, for green about 550 nm.

 iso rivolta's gear list:iso rivolta's gear list
Pentax K200D Pentax K-3 II Pentax KP +3 more
SigmaTog
OP SigmaTog Senior Member • Posts: 1,114
Re: I think I have reached the limit.

Guito55 wrote:

I don't know by if I'm allowed to post Kickstarter links. Their fingertip microscope apparently made some Time Magazine top list. The chart they included with that was cool. I have backed their new test charts and absolutely trust their designs.

Fingertip microscope, they are amazing.
Thanks for mentioning them.

Keyboard shortcuts:
FForum MMy threads