I recently modified my lego copy stand so that it can also do horizontal work. With this kind of work, I wanted a more flexible specimen holder.
While I am working on a more fancy specimen holder using Newport stages and rails, this is my current setup:
The Lego bit is just a vertical stage and also allows the specimen to be rotated in one axis. It's zip-tied to a 5lb weight with rubber feet attached on the bottom.
The rest of the movements are done with the ball. This is a hollow, plastic practice golf ball filled with plaster of paris with a "fun tack" (it's like sticky tack/blue tack except white) center. The specimen on a pin can be pushed into this.
It's based on a design mentioned by my entomology prof, and I found further details here on how to make them: http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/beem ... ssage/1785
Vibration does occur, but diminished quickly. So far I shoot with flash so vibrations do not affect image quality.
Here's a test shot with a bad lens, but I was more interested in registration problems due to vibration from one shot to the next. There were a few, requiring me to crop edges slightly. This is a stack of 70 frames, pushing my stepper to the limit as each frame was only a single half-step advanced.
New specimen holder
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- Craig Gerard
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Rylee,
Watching with interest
Regarding the 'fun tack'; some time ago, another member, involved with the watchmaking profession, sent me a packet of putty called 'Bergeon Rodico'. Surprisingly it is designated for use as a cleaning product but also serves the purpose of holding entomological pins for subject placement during photography. I've also found a small amount is very useful for holding mineral samples to stage plates when photographing.
Craig
Watching with interest
Regarding the 'fun tack'; some time ago, another member, involved with the watchmaking profession, sent me a packet of putty called 'Bergeon Rodico'. Surprisingly it is designated for use as a cleaning product but also serves the purpose of holding entomological pins for subject placement during photography. I've also found a small amount is very useful for holding mineral samples to stage plates when photographing.
Craig
To use a classic quote from 'Antz' - "I almost know exactly what I'm doing!"