Going Deep - Part I - Extreme macro with infinity corrected microscope objectives
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- čas přidán 5. 05. 2020
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This video contains a great deal of technical detail and should help you understand everything you need to start taking pictures at extreme magnifications. I have deliberately not included sample images in this video. This is to allow the viewer to focus on the technical details without distraction. A followup video, demonstrating this setup in use, with many example images, will be forthcoming (Going Deep - part II).
Stuff you will need for 5X+ macro photography, as described in detail in the video. This list may work for for other, similar objectives - provided they are infinity correct with planar correction and built in achromat or apochromat chromatic aberration corrections. It WILL work with the Nikon CFI Plan achromat 10X/0.25, M25 infinity corrected objective used in the video. www.atlantamicroscope.com/Nik...
Both setups also require the use of a Raynox diopter (4.8) - DCR-150 (www.amazon.com/Raynox-DCR-150...) and either a set of bellows or enough extension tube length to reach the focal length of the Raynox (208mm) minus the flange/focal distance of your camera body.
Parts needed to mount Raynox in normal orientation:
▪ camera body
▪ extension tubes or bellows to fit your camera mount
▪ M42 to your camera mount, reversing ring - this example is for Nikon F-mount (www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...)
▪ M42 to M43 step up ring (www.amazon.com/Fotga-Black-42...)
▪ Raynox DCR-150 (link above)
▪ M52 to M49 step down ring (www.ebay.com/itm/Bower-49mm-5...)
▪ M25 to M52 objective adapter (www.ebay.com/p/620752119?iid=...)
▪ Nikon CFI Plan 10X achromat infinity objective (link above)
Parts needed to mount the Raynox reversed (my preference):
▪ Camera body
▪ Extension tubes or bellows to match your camera mount
▪ 52mm reversing ring (in your camera’s mount) (www.ebay.com/itm/52mm-Macro-L...)
▪ 49mm to 52mm step up ring (www.ebay.com/itm/49mm-to-52mm...)
▪ Raynox DCR-150 (reversed)
▪ 52mm to 43mm step down ring (www.ebay.com/i/151831400966?c...)
▪ 55mm to 52mm step down ring (www.ebay.com/itm/55mm-52mm-55...)
▪ M25 to M52 objective adapter (www.ebay.com/p/620752119?iid=...)
▪ Nikon CFI Plan 10X achromat infinity objective (link above)
Be aware that many of these adapters will be coming from China and may take months to arrive. Virtually all of them can be bought from sellers such as Thorlabs (thorlabs.com) and Edmunds Optics (edmundoptics.com), but expect to pay about ten times the price.
Thank you SO much for taking the time to explain exactly how things work. I LOVE your videos and am so grateful to have found you. A lot of people who make videos talk so darn fast and skip over so much that I walk away scratching my head only having part of the info I actually needed. You are amazing!
I just found this! Only six months late, but thank you!
Just watched this again to refresh my memory, enjoyed it just as much! Thanks.
Thank you Allan. Great watch!
What can I say, this was the video I've been searching for when it comes to understanding objectives.
Thanks so much for the very detailed descriptive video.
Thank you ever so much for sharing all this precious knowledge in such a comprehensive and explanatory way!!!
Thank you so much for sharing all your knowledge and showing us the way how to do (extreme) macro photography. I am not into extreme macro photography yet but it certainly won’t take long! I am so glad that I have found your channel so, steady on, I will collect the parts that are needed for this gorgeous way of photography. Thanks!
Love what you do and how you do it! Appreciate the quality content! I'm a big fan of macroI Subscribed! Thank you for sharing all the info!
Thank you so much for this informative video, I can listen to you for days...in fact I do watching one after another..so much patience and your voice is so relaxing 😀.
Please keep do what you do
I find your videos more and more interesting about extreme photography. Five years ago,I built an automatic focus staking rail for macro photography using a 105mm Nikon lense. From what I have learned with your videos I am preparing to go for extreme macro. Thanks for your help. Bye from Canada.
Thanks Allen, I agree with the others, excellent guide! I'm not a macro photographer, but discussion on these topics really help deepen my understanding of optics in general!
Thanks, Tristan... don't you mean you're not a macro photographer... yet. Hahaha... thanks for watching!
extremly helpful step by step instruction !!! well done , thanks
Just learned so much. Very educated and informative.
I have been waiting for this video. Thanks Allan, excellent job!!
Sorry it took so long to get it finished! Blame the virus!
Great explanation Allan. Thanks!
Thank you Allan, a lot to absorb but makes sense all the way. Appreciated!
Thanks Barry!
Hi Allan, I just subscribed to your channel after watching one previous video. All the information you provide as well as the pace you deliver it and at which you speak, are great. Thanks for sharing and keep up the great work. Marco.
Thanks Marco - I'm glad you are finding it useful!
Thanks Allan another great video with a plethora of useful information!!!
Cheers, William - there was a lot of stuff in this one!
Excellent video, thanks
Excellent video as always Allan. A somewhat tricky subject to cover but I couldn't have asked for a more layman-friendly introduction to it all. Keep up the good work!
Thanks Steven - I agree! The hardest part of this job is deciding what it is OK to leave out!
God bless your work. I really appreciate your narration, patience and ofcourse your passion for macro.
I am learning so much, I can not wait to show you what I’ve learned!
I look forward to seeing some of your work - Join our Discord group and you can share a few of your images there.
@@AllanWallsPhotography you have a discord???
@@torbjrnraschpettersen7506 I do! I just keep forgetting to mention it. This invite should work... discord.gg/zEMwW6R
Thanks Allan
Thanks for the great video, look forward to the next one.
Already working on it!
Allan, Thank you for your very informatic video. stay healthy.
Thanks! Will do.
That was excellent and very informative, thank you!
Cheers Toby!
thanks, superb, really clear and easy explained
Viewed, learned and liked. Gave me a lot to think about...! Thanks.
Thanks for watching - more on the way!
Thank you, thank you, thank you...Allan!!!!!!
Thank you for making this video, Thank you very much
Allen, I discovered this very same method. I also discovered that Nikon made a 200mm prime lens some years ago, and they are perfect for this and not many people want them because they dont have any Auto functtons. I got mine for $50
Amazing work!
Awesome Awesomeness. Love your Videos. I am a professional photographer and I learn so much from you.
Thank you Josef - that is high praise indeed - I have seen your excellent work.
Great content!
Very informative content. Thank you 👍
You are very welcome! It was great fun to make!
Thank + Bless you Allan
Hi from Scotland under lockdown, I have enjoyed your Macro videos so much I've decided to get a macro lens and get involved in this exciting hobby. I noted in one of your videos you had a Scottish flag ( white cross on Blue background) so I checked your website thinking you were local ( I won't hold it against you being states side) keep up the great work.
Hello Phil, I was born and raised in the UK, but my mum and dad were Glaswegians to the core. I picked up the Saltire at a Calcutta Cup match a few years back. Almost all my remaining family are in and around Edinburgh. So I'm as close to Scottish as you are likely to find in Alabama!
I'm a professor; And you taught me like a professor!
I am a retired professor - so that probably explains it!
28:00 "they have em in strange sizes but they also have them in strange prices" LMAO!
Big thanks for sharing all that knowledge and for being an inspiration you are. I just purchased Canon 100mm Macro 2.8 to give a try to macro photography inspired by yourself. So far I can say that it is even more complex subject I initially thought but from the other side.. so rewarding. Of course +1sub from me. I cant imagine why youtube algorithm doesnt promote videos and people like you just all that noisy crap instead made by ppl who doesnt know much about the subject they try to talk about. You are such natural and easy to follow teacher. Please dont stop being amazing and take care. The youtube is definitely much better place with content creators like yourself. Keep recording and stay safe
Thanks so much for the encouraging words! I don't understand the algorithm either, but I don't plan on going anywhere!
Hi Alan, thanks for the great video. Question about the 200mm lens- is it possible to use a regular fixed 200mm/2.8 instead of the more expensive zoom lens? Will using a crop sensor (d80) change the setup ? (I believe not but just making sure) - and finally, what would happen when using a 300mm zoom? Thanks!
Well........I ordered a set of stepup and stepdown rings as suggested on one of your other videos. Also a 55mm reverse ring adapter for my Nikon d5600. My other lens needs a 58mm reverse adapter but I couldn't find one after my treasure hunt. You said that the stepup/stepdown rings would come in handy. Very good advice. //////For different background colors...I'm going to experiment...by using my computer monitor...it fits real nice but I may get some reflection. Just an idea.
Great content Mr.Allan Walls - Do you know any cheaper alternatives for nikon plan objectives?
Thanks Allan, we learned a lot watching this. I'll have to go through my old ring adapters to see what I have. Do you know the t-mount interior thread size? Curious since it may make this simpler. Anyway, as we were watching I found a bellows for my Sony A7 at Walmart online (it was out of stock everywhere else) for $40 which seems like a good investment to help make my lenses more flexible. Looking forward to seeing you use the setup. I know you don't use a mirrorless camera. Do you think focusing might be easier?
Hi Dan. The T-mount thread size is identical to the M42 (42mm and 0.75mm pitch). $40 bellows! That sounds like a steal. I think mirrorless systems might make it easier to check focus at your start and end points, especially at higher magnifications. I may rent a good mirrorless like the a9, to see how it does - I know a lot of very good macro photographers who swear by it.
Thanks a lot.
Excellent video Allen. Which bellows for a Nikon DSLR do you like?
Great amazing explane
Hui Allen, would love to see a video on 20x or 30x and how pheasible it is at home? Cheers
interesting video well explained. It would have been good to show some sample photo's of the effect of depth of field. also perhaps a Barlow lens from a telescope eyepiece
Can you elaborate on how to use the Nikon 10x objective for magnifications less than 10X.
Hi Allan Did you purchase your copy of microscope objective from the link you provided at Atlanta microscope?
Hi, great video as usual. You mention being able to use 5x, 7x, and 10x magnification when on the 200mm lens, but did not mention how to do that. Is that possible with bellows too? Can you please explain? Thanks.
5X with the Raynolx 250, but 7x I don't know, dId you learn it already?
Allan, great video as usual. I was amazed when I saw the function of disconnecting the end plate and reversing the lens. It appears I can also do that with my Pentax bellows. I must confess I have had a few bellows units in my time (Canon, Nikon, Pentax and Novoflex) and for the most part I think all high quality ones are similar. I don't think my PB-4 was really any better than my Canon or my Pentax bellows (I never mastered the shift function or was it tilt?). All I know is the PB6 has a longer rail. Anyway my PB4 was better than the old Novoflex but with that I could also focus to infinity. You said that the Chinese ones are (paper) junk (and I certainly agree). However they are cheap so there is not a lot to lose when trying this. The creator of Zerene Stacker once said in an article the best way to shoot a stacked image is to let the camera remain in its position and move the lens. Naturally you can do this with a bellows if you want to do it manually. But it does not work on a focus rail. Here is where the cheap bellows comes in, you disconnect it and mount the end plate to the end of your automated rail. I did it with my StackShot and it worked I didn't notice any real difference but I'm sure there is some. I'm just not good enough to notice it. I do believe he as well as you know more about this than I do. But if you have an automated rail it is a fun project.
I would like to suggest that if you ever get to use a connected reverse adapter go for it. I think they are only made for Canon (Novoflex calls theirs EOS Retro Adapter - very expensive like all Novoflex products) and their is a company called Mieke that makes one as well (dirt cheap and very good if not better quality - I have both). You have gone over reverse lenses, but this adds a new twist, no stopping down while focusing. Plus you can use it with a bellows with your normal lens and have communication . All this being said and after trying it with numerous lenses (none are as good as the 50 mm Nikon 2.8 N) you can get some incredible results. A 28-90 ends up being a 3:1 - 1:12 so a real macro zoom. You also mentioned Thomas Shannon in one (or more) of your videos, and in the field he seems to always use a revers lens. Anyway, if you get a chance please give it a go.
Excellent information. I have a thought. I have an old Takumar M42 150mm lens and can mount the Nikon to the front. That would give me less than 10X. What about using it setup like that then just put extension tubes on the back of the Takumar and increase magnification that way. Would that cause problems or would that actually work? I do have a AmScope 10x Plan but seems soft even at 160mm but it is designed for 160mm. Might be light placement but just a thought. For now I'll stick with my 4X and work on my lighting.
Hi Pete. Interesting questions. You certainly can use the Takumar 150mm as a relay lens, but you can't add any extension. The tube lens (the Takumar) needs to be used focused at infinity, (and wide open) which you can't do if you add extension. I would use it at its focal distance and try to find an M25 to M42 adapter that will place the objective as close as possible to the front of the relay lens. You may end up having to use an M25 to 52mm adapter and an M52 to M42 step down ring. I know the AmScope 10X of which you speak - but that is a finite objective. It is rated for an RMS standard 160mm tube length, but will be a lot sharper at 150mm from the sensor (which is the optical tube length). By the way, the first setup should get you to around 7X.
Hi Allan, let me know how you get diferent magnifications with Nikon 10X monting in a 70-200mm. thanks
nice video, by the way "planner" is a trademark name, same as T* is; these are from the Hasselblad lenses, ie: Carl Zeiss lenses manufactured for their V and H medium format camera platforms. that is why the name had to be modified, as these names were around since 1960's ( as they were used on Hasselblad cameras in space).
Thank you Allan for producing these videos, really enjoyed watching this one, can't wait to see the images you produce from this setup,
Thank you for rekindling my interest in macro photography,
I do have a microscope objective 4x, markings on it say...
SP 4/0.10
160/0.17
would this be any good for close up photography? or is it one for the bin?
Hi James. That objective is a finite 4X with a pretty tight numerical aperture (0.1). It should work with the same 160mm (minus flange focal distance of your camera) of extension. You can ignore the 0.17 cover slip correction. I never throw out an objective without giving it a good trial. The setup for that objective is very simple (just an RMS adapter and some extension tubes), so give it a try - it may turn out to be superb!
@@AllanWallsPhotography Thanks for the reply Allan, will give it a try and see what it can do,
Hi there, your tutorials are awesome! thank you for doing that, i have a question. WITh GH6 it will work this setup? im using a speedbooster .71 and i have Canon 70-200 2.8 lenses. Im a videographer mainly and im knew to macro but i always love it .THANK YOU in advance, any other suggestions Wanted.
Hi Allan, Ask how many megapixels camera are necessary when using 5x, 10x, 20x or maybe 50x microscope objective. How can I find out. Greetings Patrick
Allan, when shooting stack photos, what are you using. Auto white balance or custom?
Very informative as always! You mentioned you already did a video on the 4X, but I can't seem to find it? I always look forward to your upcoming videos.
I think this is what you are looking for. czcams.com/video/ZUIYW77HKZg/video.html
No, I saw that one but thank you. I thought there was going to be video dedicated to the 4x just like this one was dedicated to the 10x.
Hi Mike... There are several recent videos where the 4X is used, but the this is the one where I talk about the finite 4X objective specifically... czcams.com/video/ZUIYW77HKZg/video.html
Than you Alan. I saw that video & was thinking there would be a follow up video due to what I read in the show notes. You mentioned getting specific gear to follow along with you, such as a focusing helicoid. Thanks for the very informative videos!
Thanks Allan, impressive! so can i use 3 extension tube sets plus a 14mm to get to 161mm plus a 1mm (unsure if you can purchase a spacer/ ring) 1 x achromat 10X/0.25, 1 x M25 to M52 objective adapter. 1 x Raynox diopter (4.8) or do i need to take into account the width of the Raynox diopter (4.8)? thinking of ways i can get started on the cheep, the bellows are a price at present, ty Col
I ended up buying bellows
awesome video as always.heres a question i doubt anyone will answer but here it is.according to novoflexs site,the mft mount bellows im lookin at gives a 5.7:1 magnification with the 60mm olympus macro lens.is it better to get that instead of the laowa 5x 25mm lens,since the bellows will be handy in the future for greater magnifications?i think it is but im not sure yet.also,if i decide to go 10x with the nikon obj,i guess im gonna need the bellows anyway?...so...anyones opinion is welcome at this point....
i guess the laowa would be good for field use to avoid damage on the bellows? im still trying to get as much as possible out of the available options on a finite(and rather limited) budget...so basicaly im thinking of the novoflex bellows(i dont wanna get something used cause u never know what use and abuse it had)+ the miops slider...
Oh Allen..... What can I say... You have perfected the cure for INSOMNIA !!!! 😴😴😴😴😴
Another great video Allan - I must have missed this one. I currently use Helicon Remote to control my Canon 100mm L macro lens for focus stacking. I also use it with a Raynox 250. Do you think I could focus stack using Helicon Remote with a microscope objective on a 70-300mm telephoto lens and have the focus controlled by Helicon Remote? Currently, my setup works well outdoors and a small tablet controls the camera and taking focus slices from front to back of the subject. Thanks again for your clear and concise teachings!
Hi David, Helicon Remote is a valuable tool for use with a macro lens but it won't work with a microscope objective. Helicon Remote is a tethering program that uses focus bracketing to adjust your focus using the lens' focus mechanism. In order to stack with a microscope objective, even when using a 200mm telephoto lens as your relay device, you need a way to physically move your fixed 200mm relay and the objective, and the camera, as a unit. The relay lens must be focused at infinity for an infinity corrected objective form an image on the sensor - and changing the focus of the relay lens using Helicon will not focus the objective. If you have a Stackshot or a WeMacro rail, you CAN control that with the Helicon software, and focus stacking with an objective becomes straightforward. Hope that helps!
@@AllanWallsPhotography Thanks Allan! I thought it wasn't going to work using the lens focus mechanism. Time to think about going back to a rail for extreme macro. Much appreciate your time to respond!
Thank you Allan. I am hooked. But I cannot find 200mm extension tubes for Sony e mount. Frustrating, but I will persevere!
B&H has dirt cheap $9 sets (get 3 sets) for Sony E. But failing that Fotodiox makes those tubes and you can get them from their website. Or get a cheap adapter (Sony E to Nikon F) and use Nikon tubes which are always available. Or buy a length of PVC tube, flock it, and epoxy a body cap to one end and a lens cap to the other - hey presto - extension tubes!
Hi Sir, Thank you for your Genius teaching, dedication of your time and sharing your knowledge with us. I have a doubt between finite and infinte microscope objective lenses.
You have clearly explained the difference between finite and infinity.
But what is going to be the specific and exact difference is going be on our photograph while using a Nikon E Plan 10x/0.25 infinity WD 7.0 vs Nikon E Plan 10/0.25 160/-
The WD is not mentioned in 2nd lens which i mentioned and also 'x' is missing before the numerical aperture value. Does this have any significant mentions?
Thank you!
Hi, it is not unusual for older finite objectives to omit the working distance from the barrel markings. I can tell you that the WD with this objective is quite restrictive. I haven't used one in a long time, but I seem to remember it having quite a lot of color fringing. If you are trying to choose between the two, I suspect you will be happier with the CFI E-Plan infinity corrected objective. Good luck!
@@AllanWallsPhotography Thank you very much for your reply sir. I will buy the CFI e plan infinity corrected one 😊
Allen，is there a problem to use a finite object in front of the formal camera lens creating image on my sensor？
I feel bad. Left you to learn a little bit about portrait photography and got captured by the pretty models. But I'm back. I finally got my Nikon d5600 ordered and it's being shipped as we speak. My bank kept locking by debit card and never told me. It's a security thing when purchasing expensive toys from another state (New York). Its going to take me a couple of months to get started in macro, but will eventually get there. Great video. Now I just need to make my wish list. It's sort of fun trying to locate all the parts.
Hi David - you are so right! I spend far too much time digging around to find obscure adapters to try out crazy new ideas. When it comes to being fixated on gear, we macro folks take the cake. I'm excited you have the D5600 on the way! Good for you!
But how do you focus the bellows setup? Is the bellows adjustment fine enough to use for fine focus? Or is moving the entire construction the best way
I have an old minolta 200mm F4 telephoto - would that work as a tube lens?
I suspect the M42 to F mount is easy to find because M42 was a common lens mount in the past (see all the Russian lenses from the Cold War era). It might be the wrong thread size though.
Allan, thank you for your explanation for everything, I learn lots of it. And I start to build a system of myself. About these, I am confused one thing, that you mention that about the distance about objective lens and Raynox - DCR-150.
For example, you mention in this video that Nikon plan 10x 0.25 WD10.5 objective lens need as close as you can with the Raynox - DCR-150.
But in another video(When Mitutoyo Met Raynox - How to set up a Mitutoyo 5X objective with a Raynox tube lens (+more)), you said that Mitutoyo 5x objective lens best need 30mm distance between the Raynox - DCR-150.
So which one is correct or better?
Or it all depend on the different objective when we use?
Theoretically, it should make no difference, provided the infinity space is not so large that vignetting occurs. The distances that I recommend are based on my own experience. There is really no science behind it. Some objectives perform better very close to the relay lens, others are prone to reflections when close. I urge you to experiment and use the distance that works best for you.
Great, informative video. Very helpful. I look forward to your videos. Many Thanks indeed!
Thanks - I'm glad you found it helpful!
I love your videos Allan. I am so glad I found you on youtube. I am learning so much with the world of macro photography by watching your videos. Can't wait to get my gear all together!
Cool! Glad they are useful to you - more on the way!
thanks for the informative series. I have a question about 4x finite objective. can we use different than 160mm distance? or it must be exactly 160mm focal lenght. i plan to use with bellow . for lover magnafication can i reduce the distance? is it effect image circle?
Good question... You could theoretically change the magnification of a finite system by adjusting the tube length, but it result in degradation of image quality with every mm over or under the tube length the objective was designed for. This is because the finite objective is constructed to optimize aberration correction at its tube length. The limiting factor is spherical aberration, which is minimized at the tube length designated on the objective.
Allen, I have bought this lens and it really is a game changer. The Nikon 200mm prime is perfect. I am having trouble finding an adapter for the microscope lens. I am mounting the lens to the front of the Nikon. I have tried 25mm thread adapter, and the pitch of the thread is not quite right. I can thread the objetive about one revolution and no more. Is there a complete definition of the thread? Or better yet, a known good adapter? Thanks.
Patronized ;) Awesome
Allan, I will try the 10X on my Nikkor 80-200 2.8 D series lens. Should the lens be set at its widest aperture? Hope you're doing well.
Hi greg - yes. Use the lens at 200mm, wide open and focused to infinity. The objective will do the rest!
In 25:20, why does it need to be 200 mm lens? Can I use the objective lens with a 100 mm macro lens (Canon)?
Hi Allan,
I love your work, and watching you has inspired me to explore some extreme macro myself. I recently picked up two sets of vintage Asahi Bellows at a thrift store but now I'm having difficulty figuring out how to mount my Sony A7Rii to the M42 mounts.... or rather, I'm having difficulty figuring out how to mount my Sony E-mount lenses. I've only found adapters for Nikon lenses to M42 bodies and cannot source a Sony lens to Nikon body adapter as they only seem to be available the other way around, likely due to the popularity and age of the Nikon lenses vs the Sony E-mount range. do you know of any workarounds for this or are my bellows useless until I purchase a suitable non-sony lens?
Regards, Milson.
Hi Milson - Have you looked at this... www.adorama.com/mtkltm2m43se.html?gclid=CjwKCAiAsOmABhAwEiwAEBR0Zqdp_5tTduCJzvNg3awrv7ZytXzLyH9KCTgcAmoqF9a3Q83rcsXbtxoCeYUQAvD_BwE&gclid=CjwKCAiAsOmABhAwEiwAEBR0Zqdp_5tTduCJzvNg3awrv7ZytXzLyH9KCTgcAmoqF9a3Q83rcsXbtxoCeYUQAvD_BwE&
This will mount on your Sony and allow you to screw the bellows onto the adapter. At the other end you will need an M42 to Sony lens mount adapter, but they don't actually exist. This is because of the much longer flange focus distance on an SLR/DSLR. You can't mount mirrorless lenses on DSLR bodies because the mirror gets in the way (you can't shorten the FF distance). Therefore, nobody makes the kind of adapter you need (even though it would work fine with bellows). Here is what I would do... use the Sony lens in reverse. Then you only need a couple of step up rings to get you from M42 to your lens filter thread. In fact, you can mount any lenses you own, in reverse, with just a couple of $5 step rings. Hope that helps!
@@AllanWallsPhotography Thank Allan. Yeah that was the alternate Workaround I was looking at too. It's a pity, I was really looking forward to playing with my Laowa 100mm 2x on the bellows, but I guess i can always reverse it too.
thanks again for your knowledge!
@@milsonbarnard8464 I think you would be disappointed using a macro lens on the bellows. They really shine using reversed, short focal length primes - 35-50mm. Macro lenses don't offer much when reversed. You really should try a couple of dirt cheap enlarger lenses - best bang for the bellows-buck.
You talk about some of the literature about this subject. Can you advise where I can go to find this myself?
Hi Art, A great source for understanding Nikon's optics is www.microscopyu.com. Mitutoyo and Olympus both have great resources on their microscopy sites. For a deep dive into the practical side of tube lens use in photography, I would recommend www.closeuphotography.com. If there is some specific area of photomicrography you want to read up on, let me know (contact@allanwallsphotography.com) and I will point you in the right direction.
Well Allan, after watching your video's I have now ordered everything I think I'll need. So I just hope that the Chinese don't fall out with us in the meantime. The Objective was hard to find but eventually found a UK site, Ultramacro.co.uk who specialise in macro photography with objectives, stacking rails/software and many other accessories. So hope this a help to other fans of your photography from the UK.
May I ask:
- His bellows are different from the ones on ebay
Why later
Thank you
Please help me buy the Nikon Bellows PB-6 just like yours
Hello Allan! Thanks very much for your videos. a question about notation: is an M42-M43 step up ring adaptor equal to a 42mm-43mm step up ring adaptor? I mean, is the "M" notation the same as a "mm" notation? M42=42mm? Thank you!
I too want to know this
@@mynameisben123 I learned it is equal!
50:42 there are some that, in stead of an helicoid, have a screw to adjust the extenssion tubes length and are even cheapper, I'm sure you know that. Are they any good?
Hi João, yes indeed. That would work fine, as long as the screw section is well engineered. The cheap ones can cause sagging and result in alignment problems.
Hi Alan, thanks for your very clear explanations. You mention that macro lenses in this kind of configuration are not really the best ones, however, i can see that Levon Biss use a Nikkor coupled with what seems to be a 10x Zeiss Microscope lens on a D810 Body in order to achieve really impressive final images. What are your thoughts about his particular setup? Thanks in advance.
Excellent question - Levon Biss uses a 10X infinity corrected objective mounted on a 200mm prime telephoto lens. The choice of relay lens is not critical, you can get fantastic results from a 200mm tube lens, a 208mm Raynox diopter, or any 200mm prime telephoto lens. Using a prime works a little better than some 70-200mm zooms, but there isn't much in it. But a macro lens, even if it is a 200mm lens, does not work well as a relay lens. This is because the entrance pupil of the macro lens is, by design, deeply recessed, allowing the lens to focus at short distances. I have experimented with the Micro Nikkor 200mm f/2.8 (a true macro lens) as a relay lens, and the results have been very disappointing. If you have different information about Levon's setup, I would be very interested in knowing - because, if anyone has figured out how to overcome the problems of using a macro lens as a tube lens, it would probably be Levon!
@@AllanWallsPhotography Thanks Alan for your message, i was researching more about Levon's setup and found out that he update it with a dedicated tube lens and vertical position for the amber specimens
@@DominicanAmberFossils That doesn't surprise me - a dedicated tube lens, mounted inside the extension tube assembly, is a very stable, less bulky, and optically ideal choice for a relay lens. Thanks for sharing the updated setup!
Huge thanks for this video Allan. I am interested in getting a 10x objective and this video will save me lots of time and money.
I think is fair to share the savings with you so I made a contribution through your website. Best regards and please keep up the excellent work!!
Thank you, Juan Carlos! You are too kind! You must share some of your 10x images with me!
@@AllanWallsPhotography I'll do it!!
Hello Allan. Here are my first 10x images: imagenes.website/10x-infinity-plan-objective
I used the 10x plus a Takumar 200mm objective. Got some chromatic aberration but nothing terrible.
@@juancarlosplaza8301 Thanks for sharing the shots, Juan Carlos. The sewing needle came out very well, for something that is so difficult to light. I think it is an excellent decision to explore the capabilities of a new high magnification system using simple everyday objects as your subjects. This approach will be hugely helpful in learning the limitations of high magnification, figuring out the best ways to light subjects that are almost touching the lens, and anticipating focus stacking issues before they happen. Keep up the good work! Great start!
@@AllanWallsPhotography Thank you Allan. Your explanations are the key to my learning process.
I'll keep exploring and trying. Today is the turn of roses thorns and cactus spines.
Hi Allan,please which extension tubes are best to buy. Thanks in advance.
Hi Mario! Good to hear from you! I use the cheapest 52mm tubes I can find. www.adorama.com/fdmacrotnikf.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjwhtT1BRCiARIsAGlY51IPKImD_Oly-sUSnlUO5CiLChZK1t4jl9s9-DxXKSJtmjiAAnPjLbMaAm4WEALw_wcB&
These don't have any electrical connection (which you don't need for most things) and they are made to fit most camera brands. I use these same tubes, with excellent results.
Allan, have you ever tried this with a Micro-Nikkor 200mm lens. I have one: it has a 52mm filter ring and with the FTZ adapter works well on my Z7. Any thoughts?
Hi Robert, I apologize for the lateness of this response, but yes I am familiar with the Micro Nikkor 200 mm lens. I presume you are talking about the f/4. It is one of the sharpest macro lenses on the planet. I no longer have the lens but I have several friends who do and one day I will add it back to my collection. I have not personally used this macro lens as a relay lens with a microscope objective but there are several very well-known macro photographers who use it as their go to tube lens. Levon Biss is probably the most famous of these. I have always avoided using macro lenses as tube lenses as I have found them almost universally disappointing, that is the reason I have never tried this particular combination. But when I get another 200 mm, one of the first things I plan to do is use as a relay with the Mitutoyo 5 and 10x objectives. You will need the FTZ adapter to mount the lens on the camera but this will place it at the correct length for the focal distance. I would go from the 52 mm filter thread stepwise using step down rings to 26 mm to mount the Mitutoyo or 25 mm to mount the CFI plan Nikon objective. This will give you approximately 25 mm of infinity space. Let me know how it goes, I will be most interested to hear your experience.
Allen, these are spectacularly useful and enjoyable videos. I have learned a lot, the level of detail is perfect. But... you are repeating a slight error about finite microscope objectives. A 160mm finite objective refers to the tube length of the microscope for which it is intended not it's actual intended focal distance. The actual focus point is at 150mm because a standard microscope eyepiece field stop ends up being 10mm from the end of the 160mm tube. It probably doesn't make a huge difference but the objective is designed to focus at 150mm.
Hi Spence - thank you for this important correction. I have been under the impression that the "160" on the finite objective that we have been using referred to the optical tube length (from the rear focal plane of the objective to the real image plane of the ocular), as opposed to the mechanical tube length (objective to eyepiece flange). But after another observant viewer (kudos to Graham Carey) pointed out this issue, I found the AmScope spec sheet for the 4X finite objective and confirmed that the "160" was in fact referring to the mechanical tube length, and not the optical tube length. Thanks again for this important correction - I will correct the error where it appears.
Funny....I was going to say the same thing regarding the 150. I say only because I read it somewhere. We need to get this out there because it could be, in some cases, a very expensive mistake. The difference in 10mm in calculation is about 3/8" and that's a lot when it comes to working distance. But what the hell do I know. It's not rocket science..
Any photo or video captured with this lens?
Thanks mr Allan, please i have raynox dcr 250 can I use it in this set up please?, and the distance between the raynox and the objective can i use the cone adapter m42-m26? Thank alot ❤️❤️❤️🌹🌹
Hi Mohamed - Great question! You can use the DCR-250, but you will need to use it with a tube lens of 125mm focal length. It would be exactly the same as the setup for the DCR-150, except for the extension distance (or bellows length). However, using this objective with a 125mm tube lens will only give you 5X magnification. The tube length should always match the focal length of the diopter you are using (125mm for the Raynox DCR-250 which has a diopter value of 8.0). Hope that helps!
@@AllanWallsPhotography Allan thank you so much for the video. i find it very helpful. one thing is on my mind. i understand from the video that i can use the nikon 10x for other magnification between 5 and 10. for example i want to use it for 6 magnification or 7 magnification. and i understand that both raynox that you mentioned wont give me the goal. cause of the focal lengh of the diopter. so how can i get the 6 magnifaction???
Many thanks for your video. Maybe you should take out direct contact with Fotodiox. They seem more than happy to consider extending their product range. I got them to bring forward their adapter for Nikon Z to RZ67 and Sekkor.
More recently they’ve been talking with a CZcamsr about anamorphic adaptation and have come out with new product ranges. Ditto KF of Germany who perhaps have slightly better QA.
Anyway this is the first video I’ve seen from you but I’m struck by the parallels to anamorphic and would welcome your no nonsense approach to that as well.
Great video. I've learned a ton. I'm getting great results with my Nikon 10x. I've been addicted to macro photography for years. Started out with a macro lens, now this. I suspect I'm going to want an electron microscope before it is all over LOL
Hey Robert... See what you've done!? Now I'm looking for used electron microscopes on eBay! I found an FEI Philips SEM for under $35,000, but the shipping charges ($1,200) were a bit steep!
@@AllanWallsPhotography I"m a retired electron microscopist. I remain involved with electron microscopy through educational outreach. In fact it was this activity that piqued my interest in macro photography at the scale of insects. Insects are by far the most charismatic subjects for scanning electron microscopy, especially if your students are middle-schoolers. There is so much to explore over a wide range of scales (including scales) :-). Lately I've been partnering with Hitachi, using their table-top SEMs. They can be set up in half an hour anywhere with mains power. No other utilities required. Even these microscopes are not inexpensive, starting at about $35k (but less than a new school bus). At Intel, my last SEM was an FEI Magellan, priced at around $1M with an achievable spatial resolution of 1 nm. For all that, insects are a far more engaging specimen than the arcane minutia of semiconductor chips.
@@michaelmckeag960 Fascinating! I have been reading about the latest Hitachi variable pressure scopes. Amazing devices. The first EM I saw was twice the size of refrigerator! But that was four decades ago.
@@AllanWallsPhotography My introduction to electron microscopy was 35 years ago. My first SEM was a JEOL 840. We also had a couple JEOL 35s and a hulking beast, an ETEC Autoscan as I recall (unreliably). A search for a photo to verify led me to the website of the legendary David Sharf. I'm delighted to discover he is still at it. Nobody has pushed electron microscopy as an art form further. www.scharfphoto.com/
I scrolled through your video and may have missed it but did you show anything that you looked at through the lens? In other words did you show something that you magnified?
Hello Antonio - no, I didn't. As I explained at the beginning of the video, there was so much material to cover I decided to split the video into two parts. Part one was all about building the proper setup and making your own relay tube lens. Part two will cover using the various lens combinations, and will have a ton of photographs taken through each system. Part two will be released this coming week.
Sorry if silly question and new to these products etc, but looking up the objectives mentioned I came across a "bargain" on a 2k usd lens and wonder if it can be used as well. Mitutoyo M Plan Apo NIR 10x LWD Objective at 400 usd used, while the 900 usd one mentioned here was 650 usd used. Or is that something altogether different and not for the normal macro we do with it's infra-red thing?
Is it better to have a longer focal length if using another lens to bring the light in from infinity?
Mr. Alan, I've bought the Nikon CFI Plan achromat 10X/0.25, M25 infinity and already had the Raynox diopter (4.8) - DCR-150. I'm looking for advice for the best lens for a full-frame Sony A7iii camera, possibly (Sony FE 70-200mm F4 G OSS). I bought a 90mm macro lens a year ago and would like to take this to the next level, as you stated. Thank you in advance...
Hi Jamie, you already have two sweet setups for macro, a standard length macro (the Sony 90mm or 3rd party?) and a great 10X objective. What you don't have is anything to fill the gap between the macro lens and the 10X. If I had the money it would be the Mitutoyo M-plan APO 5x every time - best macro lens in the world - hands down. If you don't have the $$, get an Amscope 4X finite objective, or an El Nikkor 50mm f/2.8N enlarger lens and a set of bellows. If you are a billionaire, get a Nikon D850 and buy two Micro Nikkor 200mm f/4 ED-IF AF lenses and send one of them to me. That is the sharpest macro lens ever made.
Nice job explaining the difference between finite and infinite objectives and how the infinite works and why. I think you explain things well in your videos, but I can't help but think some visual aids would be helpful., things like adding some b-roll of simple diagrams and reference pictures (especially for the differences in magnification).
Thanks. Your point is well taken. I have been adding such visual aids in more recent videos, and I agree that it is helpful.
So am I correct in thinking if you mount the 10x on a 200mm lens you get 10x magnification, on a 100mm lens 5x, on a 50mm 2.5x, also if you go down the lens route will the sharpness of the lens be reflected in the overall sharpness?