Leitz Aristophot

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dolmadis
Posts: 899
Joined: Wed Dec 07, 2011 1:51 pm
Location: UK

Leitz Aristophot

Post by dolmadis »

Hi All

I have searched the forum and read several posts to this micrography/macrography stand where there are references to its potential conversion to use as a vertical rig.

Has anyone any additional knowledge that they have to guide or make suggestions about how to make such a conversion please?

Many thanks.


John

enricosavazzi
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Joined: Sat Nov 21, 2009 2:41 pm
Location: Västerås, Sweden
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Post by enricosavazzi »

The Aristophot is not so easy to modify for photomacrography with modern equipment. The main problem is that the Aristophot is designed with a (relatively) fine adjustment of the lens (=lower) standard via a geared rack, but the rear (=film) standard can only be adjusted coarsely with a dovetail clamp on a gearless slider. Focusing with the built-in geared rack slightly changes magnification.

The best way would instead be to move the whole bellows (i.e. both standards together as a rigid object). This does not change the magnification while focusing or stacking.

The second problem is that the Aristophot was designed primarily to use large-format film. It could also be used with 35 mm Leica cameras, but the original 35 mm bellows are far too long to be optimal for work with APS-C or smaller format sensors.

Basically, you would need to throw away the Aristophot bellows and replace them with modern bellows like the Nikon PB-6 or Olympus OM. Then you need to figure out a way to add a fine focusing rack, either to move the bellows or to move a subject stage.

The third problem is that the Aristophot stand is not extremely stiff. There is some flexing of the two chrome-plated tubes, of the support that connects these tubes to the dovetail rail, and of the rail itself. It may become a problem at high magnification.

If you want one more reason, the prismatic rail is made of an iron alloy or steel that easily rusts, and cannot be painted.

In conclusion, with substantial effort the Aristophot can be modified for optimal use with digital cameras, but when you are finished doing this, there is so little left of the original Aristophot that it may be better instead to build a photomacrography stand entirely from scratch, in a smaller size and from more rigid materials. Alternatively, a microscope stand with a good fine/coarse focuser can be a better starting point for modification into a vertical photomacrography stand.

The transmitted illumination base of the Aristophot is perhaps the most useful part, once equipped with a LED light source and/or electronic flash. It is easily adapted for use on a different vertical stand.
--ES

dolmadis
Posts: 899
Joined: Wed Dec 07, 2011 1:51 pm
Location: UK

Post by dolmadis »

Thank you Enrico for this helpful insight and advice.

Regards


John

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