Micro Newb, what do I buy?

Starting out in microscopy? Post images and ask questions relating to the microscope and get answers from our more advanced users on the subject.

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shaypivac
Posts: 13
Joined: Sat Oct 06, 2018 5:44 pm
Location: Australia

Micro Newb, what do I buy?

Post by shaypivac »

Hey all,

I’m thinking of taking the plunge into micro, I’m well equated into my macro 5x work with my Laowa 25mm 2.5/5x lens

Questions is, I have a Sony a6300, and have zero idea how I step into objectives etc. I want to start shooting fine details in my subjects but extremely unsure about objectives etc

The other lenses I have are a Sigma 16mm f1.4 (landscapes) Sony 55mm f1.8 (portraiture) do I need to buy something else? I also eventually want to rig up a raynox onto a lens for more the 1-2x look.

Do I have to buy a lens and an objective or what? Or a microscope. I have zero idea lol

Please help.

TheDocAUS
Posts: 110
Joined: Thu Jul 19, 2018 10:44 pm
Location: Sydney

Post by TheDocAUS »

There are two basic decisions you need to start with. Decide whether to attach the objective to an extension tube or lens. I went with a lens, which I already owned.

Next is the objective to choose and how you attach that to the lens or extension tube. 20x, 50x objectives cost more than 5x or 10x. I bought a 5x and 10x objective.

Mitutoyo and Nikon make good quality objectives, but decent clones cost less (check out WeMacro, MJKZZ & Robert O'Toole's blog).

I would strongly suggest spending a few weeks looking at this website to work out what is best for you.

WeMacro and MJKZZ offer extension tubes. Both also offer competitively priced objectives and adapters to attach the objective to the lens or tube.

It can be very confusing, as I have just gone through the same process myself. I just took my time and slowly worked through the issues, before spending the money.

Here is a video of the process of attaching the objective to the camera lens: https://youtu.be/-5AsL-s2thM

Some helpful reading:
-WeMacro: https://www.wemacro.com/
-MJKZZ: http://www.mjkzz.com
-Buying a Macro Rail (if you need one): https://is.gd/lbXfoA
-I assume you already have stacking software
-helping you decide which objective to buy: https://www.closeuphotography.com/objectives/
-tube & lens tests: https://www.closeuphotography.com/lens-tests/
-suggested set up for Sony A6300: https://www.closeuphotography.com/42mm-setup
-FAQ: https://www.photomacrography.net/forum/ ... m.php?f=29

shaypivac
Posts: 13
Joined: Sat Oct 06, 2018 5:44 pm
Location: Australia

Post by shaypivac »

There are two basic decisions you need to start with. Decide whether to attach the objective to an extension tube or lens. I went with a lens, which I already owned.

Next is the objective to choose and how you attach that to the lens or extension tube. 20x, 50x objectives cost more than 5x or 10x. I bought a 5x and 10x objective.

Mitutoyo and Nikon make good quality objectives, but decent clones cost less (check out WeMacro, MJKZZ & Robert O'Toole's blog).

I would strongly suggest spending a few weeks looking at this website to work out what is best for you.

WeMacro and MJKZZ offer extension tubes. Both also offer competitively priced objectives and adapters to attach the objective to the lens or tube.

It can be very confusing, as I have just gone through the same process myself. I just took my time and slowly worked through the issues, before spending the money.

Here is a video of the process of attaching the objective to the camera lens: https://youtu.be/-5AsL-s2thM

Some helpful reading:
-WeMacro: https://www.wemacro.com/
-MJKZZ: http://www.mjkzz.com
-Buying a Macro Rail (if you need one): https://is.gd/lbXfoA
-I assume you already have stacking software
-helping you decide which objective to buy: https://www.closeuphotography.com/objectives/
-tube & lens tests: https://www.closeuphotography.com/lens-tests/
-suggested set up for Sony A6300: https://www.closeuphotography.com/42mm-setup
-FAQ: https://www.photomacrography.net/forum/ ... m.php?f=29
Thank you, that is a LOT to get my head around lol

I do have a pretty full WeMacro rail setup. But my only lens in regards to macro is the Laowa 25mm 2.5x-5x.

I will need to really find out WHAT exactly I am doing lol, whether I choose bellows, extensions tubes, lenses, I just have no idea. I see people using the raynox and getting extremely close?

I was kinda assuming you had to buy one of those bellow things, but unsure how to attach to a Sony, I don't know, I think I just need to find a beginning to end explanation of everything :/

Thank You!

rjlittlefield
Site Admin
Posts: 23562
Joined: Tue Aug 01, 2006 8:34 am
Location: Richland, Washington State, USA
Contact:

Post by rjlittlefield »

I don't see it individually linked above, but there's a specific FAQ for you --
"FAQ: How can I hook a microscope objective to my camera?", https://www.photomacrography.net/forum/ ... hp?t=12147 .

A lot of people use Raynox DCR-150 as a "tube lens", which goes behind an infinite objective to finish the image formation. That concept is discussed in the FAQ. There's a specific link to a Raynox application at https://www.photomacrography.net/forum/ ... 642#224642 (on page 6 of the FAQ).

--Rik

shaypivac
Posts: 13
Joined: Sat Oct 06, 2018 5:44 pm
Location: Australia

Post by shaypivac »

I don't see it individually linked above, but there's a specific FAQ for you --
"FAQ: How can I hook a microscope objective to my camera?", https://www.photomacrography.net/forum/ ... hp?t=12147 .

A lot of people use Raynox DCR-150 as a "tube lens", which goes behind an infinite objective to finish the image formation. That concept is discussed in the FAQ. There's a specific link to a Raynox application at https://www.photomacrography.net/forum/ ... 642#224642 (on page 6 of the FAQ).

--Rik
thank you!

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