Hello from Norfolk UK

[Pinguicula]

Hello there

I've always enjoyed Natural History Photography but since being semi retired I am able to explore macro and now micro photography in much more detail. Generally I'm using a Nikon D850 + Nikon 200m f4 and a 6T filter. Up to now I haven't used flash but the sun was just too much this year so I am beginning to explore a Nikon D500 + 105mm macro + Raynox 250 + Nikon Sb 700 with an AK diffuser.

I've use hand photostacking in the field for Bryophytes and Fungi and have just started with a 10x microscope objective. I've found Alan Wall's site invaluable to help get me started.

This is Greater Whipwort (Bazzania trilobata) a rather nice liverwort photographed in the depths of Wales. A stack of about 20 shots enabled full focus across the image. D850 +200mm f4 + 6T Filter

This is Feather Stalkball (Onygena corvina) growing on dead Razorbill. A stack of about 40-50 shots, D850 +200mm f4 + 6T Filter

A deligthful Earpick Fungus (Auriscalpium vulgare) A stack of about 30-40 shots, D850 +200mm f4 + 6T Filter

I love Slime Molds A stack of about 30 shots, D850 +200mm f4 + 6T Filter

These are my first attempts with the 10 x Objective Nikon D850 Nikon PD6 Bellows + Nikon 10 x Objective and Raynox 150(reversed) as the tube lens. I have a Stackshot and I am in the process of making a cage. Although these first two attempts were taken just in daylight. I'm using mirror up, 11µm steps and each one took between 120 - 180 shots.

This is Lachnella alboviolascens. But as you can see there's lots of problems with focus and even seeing through to the substrate under the fungus. This is what I would very like to learn how to avoid or at least how to ameliorate.

This is a small orange fungus (Nectria decora) that grows on dead twigs. In this case a Field Maple twig. As you can see the focus problem is again very obvious.

So I'm very much looking forward with your help and discussion to improve on this.

Kind regards & Happy New year

Mike

[JayMcClellan]

Hello from Michigan! Those are great shots, thanks for sharing. I just watched a good video from Alan Walls about stacking artifacts like you are seeing, and how to reduce or eliminate them. Maybe you would find it helpful if you haven't already seen it:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uxxzZXORXL0

[Pinguicula]

Hello Jay

Thank you for the link. I hadn't discovered that one.

Thanks again

Mike

[Chris S.]

Mike,

Welcome to the forum!

I enjoyed your introductory images very much. And with most of them, I thought about my own travails lighting similar specimens.

I hope you keep posting in our community!

Very best regards,

--Chris S.

[Pinguicula]

Hello Chris

Thank you for the welcome and kind comments.

The low light capabilities of the D850 make the difference I think. All of these were taken in natural light including the two using the x10 objective.

Kind regards

Mike

Taken with a Nikon D850 + 200mm f4 + 6T Close up filter. Dusk fast approaching on a Graveyard Wall in Norfolk. About 25 shots. Mirror up mode using a remote release RFN-TX by SMDV

A Liverwort - Wall Scalewort (Porella platyphylla)