Help wanted breaking thro the High Magnification Barrier

[MacroB]

Dear Charles,

Many, many thanks for all the time you have devoted to this problem. It is much appreciated.

Your thoughts and concerns re the large overhang at rear have got me working on a more stable rig with a block 5" long anchoring down the final camera tube. Will also change to moving the subject via the focusing rail.

Once I have made the rig more stable I will experiment with the lighting to see if there is any movement from that.

Finally, I might then venture to ask Leica about their 5x optics,etc and armed with the knowledge of how effective aperture is worked out, will see what they come up with.

A sincere thank you to everyone for their input.

Best Wishes,
Bob