So, at same m and f_r, the combo's effective aperture is wider by a factor of (1+1/(Pm)). For my lens, P is about 1.1, so at m=2.45 the computed factor is about 1.37, roughly 0.94 of an f-stop. Thanks for the information again. So in this example P=1.1 and m=2.45 So we have (1+1/(1.1*2.45))=~0.721 ...

I have an oben with a lateral arm. The legs also spead all the way out so you can get quite close to the ground. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/814492-REG/Oben_AC_2320L_3_Section_Aluminum_Lateral.html Works pretty well for normal tripod usage and the arm on it is pretty good for macro. the on...

Great shots. How much time did some of these take to get them to cooperate?

Thanks for the experiment rik, very informative.

This raises another question for me though. So if one is stopping down the front of the lens pair, will the effective aperture be the same as a reversed lens on tubes or bellows set to the same magnification? I could only guess that they would be.

Thanks Rik. I am reading through the links now and they look to be what I was after. I guess then at such extreme tube lengths the lens does become diffraction limited even wide open. Which isnt even to mention the apparent spherical aberrations it has then. I guess Ill need to figure something else...

Pardon the delayed reply, The measured magnification i have normally been working up to with decent results is just over 4:1 with the lens at 18mm and reversed. It is a 18-55mm lens on t1i(aps-c). I have used tubes to go up as far as 7:1 which caused a very soft looking image that was unusable. This...

So I have been using a reversed lens, some times with extension tubes to do macro shots. I have recently been thinking about what the best aperture is. So let me present a not so hypothetical situation :) We start with a lens that is sharpest in its normal configuration @ F5.6 Am I correct in assumi...

Thanks for the response Rik. For some reason I thought it might have a "in front of" type operation for dmap. I guess when automatic order is on it will align the frames and then start with the one that has been scaled down the most, if I understand correctly.

Thanks for looking guys
-Steve

Here is my first try at doing studio style stacks. Done using a reversed lens @ 18mm plus some extension tubes. Measured to be about 4.3:1 I am open to any criticisms or comments you have :) I also have a question. I am using the trial of Zerene stacker and I think I have it mostly figured out, but ...

Really cool looking. The second and third ones are great

I like the lighting, you say this was all window light?

Awesome shot. I really like the angle and lighting on it

Wow, really nice series. Great progression. Love the whole set.

Though Im afraid you went through too much work taking all those photos and stacking them. You could have just zoomed in and enhanced from google maps like on CSI. Would have taken you 15 seconds, tops


-Steve

Either a brave ant, or a vegetarian spider Very nice shots, especially the pano.

Nice collection. I tihnk Moss in the Rain is the winner for me though

-Steve

Thanks Rik. Hopefully I will have more options for lighting stuff after I finish setting up my new flash, and will have new stuff to post

-Steve