HELICON FOCUS MULTIPLE INSTANCE UPDATE

A linear motion micrometer stage provides precise movement in X and Y directions and a rotation stage assembly with micrometer provides precise rotation. A cannibalized AO microscope stand provides coarse and fine movement in the vertical direction. Subject positioning is possible in all four X, Y, Z and Theta planes. Various lenses may be used from the 55 mm Micro Nikkor to the 19 mm Macro Nikkor as seen in the two images below: For greater magnifications, the camera is fitted with a Nikon PB-4 bellows with focusing rail. All components are uniformly equipped with Arca-style QR clamps or plates. Camera movement is facilitated by a geared linear positioner with provisions for a stepper motor, a long Arca-style plate on the positioner table with small ball head. It looks like this:įor smaller magnifications near life-size, the Nikon D-SLR camera is equipped with a 55 mm Micro Nikkor lens. This micro set up is designed for stability combined with versatility and for use from magnifications of 1:1 or life-size on the sensor with a 55 mm macro lens to magnifications of up to to 40:1 with a true microscope lens on the bellows. Macro work in the field requires a completely different set of equipment. The idea is not new, but getting all the pieces together has been interesting. To overcome these problems, I am have assembled a specialized piece of equipment to enable the precision required on the lab bench in a controlled environment. All this apparatus may create a big problem: movement through vibrations. In order to accomplish this a bellows and true macro lens is used with a micrometer specimen stage and electronic flash. The micro world is a challenging one indeed.Įxtreme magnification image making calls for a stable specimen and camera platform, precise and uniform movements in focus and absolutely uniform, clean lighting. Some of the major considerations when doing image capture at magnifications vastly greater than life-size include, image resolution, focus, depth of field, lighting and vibrations to name a few.

Each has its advantages, disadvantages and limitations. The macro lens, extension tubes, bellows attachment and even microscopes. There are many tools used for life-sized images. That is the world of ultra macro or indeed micro photography. There is a vast world that is much smaller that is worthy of our photography prowess. That might be a small beetle or maybe a fly. When we think of macro, that subject size becomes smaller by a factor of five or so.

HELICON FOCUS MULTIPLE INSTANCE UPDATE

This is an update of the first installment from January 22, 2014.Ĭommonly, when we think of close up images we envision filling the frame with subjects the size of a butterfly.

Helicon focus multiple instance