Final iteration
After going through several different setups I have finally settled on this one. It has been in use for several years and has worked flawlessly.
This setup is stable for up to 60x M Plan Nikon objective, any slight misalignment of frames is easily corrected by Zerene Stacker.
The design is based upon two surplus (i.e., broken) parts:
1] stand from a bench top drill; K, M, N. Two wood blocks connect the stand to a wooden board (L). A long Arca Swiss rail (C) is bolted to these blocks.
A Nikon bellows (B) is connected to the board
In use I place heavy weights on the drill table (K) and on the base (N)
2] microscope base (I); an Olympus BH2/BHS with its 'neck' sawn off!
This base allows for X and Y adjustment of the subject, and also rotation if needed.
The vertical (Z) movement is by the large wheel (J). One large 'wedge' = 20 microns, smallest divisions are 2 microns and I can get 1 micron movement.
A television for live view
D Nikon digital camera (D), remotely controls the 4 flash units (G); (the remote shutter release is on the table between 2 flashes)
E initial focusing lamp
F lens
H diffuser
NU.
student of entomology
Quote – Holmes on ‘Entomology’
” I suppose you are an entomologist ? “
” Not quite so ambitious as that, sir. I should like to put my eyes on the individual entitled to that name.
No man can be truly called an entomologist,
sir; the subject is too vast for any single human intelligence to grasp.”
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr
The Poet at the Breakfast Table.
Nikon camera, lenses and objectives
Olympus microscope and objectives