Search found 117 matches

by JohnDownie
Tue Sep 21, 2021 11:24 am
Forum: Equipment Discussions
Topic: How do the Tradeoffs Work? - Steppers for Horizontal Rails
Replies: 24
Views: 2294

Re: How do the Tradeoffs Work? - Steppers for Horizontal Rails

Chris S. wrote:
Sun Sep 19, 2021 10:28 pm
I’d get a stepper with a moderate amount of extra power—nothing fancy or expensive—and not overthink it.

--Chris S.
Good advice for car buying, as well.

Thanks, Chris.

John
by JohnDownie
Tue Sep 07, 2021 1:22 pm
Forum: Equipment Discussions
Topic: Any good 300mm tube lens recomendations?
Replies: 20
Views: 3046

Re: Any good 300mm tube lens recomendations?

The Raynox DCR-5320PRO set has a 311mm tube lens. These have generally been considered better than the DCR-150 lens.

NathanM, who seemed to have a generous equipment budget, liked them...

viewtopic.php?t=32346
by JohnDownie
Mon Jun 21, 2021 7:08 am
Forum: Nature Photography -- Macro and Close-up
Topic: Daddy Long Legs in IR
Replies: 1
Views: 590

Daddy Long Legs in IR

On a Sedum.

Daddy Long Legs is an imprecise description, I realize.
DDaddyLongLegs.png
by JohnDownie
Thu Jun 17, 2021 7:24 am
Forum: Nature Photography -- Macro and Close-up
Topic: Butterfly or Moth @ 850nm
Replies: 3
Views: 792

Re: Butterfly or Moth @ 850nm

I have seen it written: " The best camera is the one you have with you. " A closer look reveals that the "pollen" is an anatomical structure? The wings are black and white in visible light, as well. That looks like an Eight-spotted Forester moth. The stuff that looks like pollen is a brush of color...
by JohnDownie
Wed Jun 16, 2021 3:17 pm
Forum: Nature Photography -- Macro and Close-up
Topic: Butterfly or Moth @ 850nm
Replies: 3
Views: 792

Re: Butterfly or Moth @ 850nm

A closer look reveals that the "pollen" is an anatomical structure?

The wings are black and white in visible light, as well.
IRButterfly2.jpg
by JohnDownie
Wed Jun 16, 2021 2:40 pm
Forum: Nature Photography -- Macro and Close-up
Topic: Butterfly or Moth @ 850nm
Replies: 3
Views: 792

Butterfly or Moth @ 850nm

The only camera I had to hand when this one alit.

Four of the legs had bright orange accumulations of pollen.
IRButterfly1.jpg
by JohnDownie
Mon Jun 14, 2021 3:27 pm
Forum: Equipment Discussions
Topic: Looking for a new computer
Replies: 6
Views: 758

Re: Looking for a new computer

I based by computer specs on Puget's advice, plus a deep dive into motherboards for AMD CPUs. I gathered the parts on my own and paid a local fellow who advertised on Craigslist and who had great feedback. He came over, (pre-COVID), built it, and away he went. I went with premium parts, Noctua fans ...
by JohnDownie
Sat Jun 05, 2021 9:07 am
Forum: Equipment Discussions
Topic: 8,000 lb Granite Assembly w Iso Legs - $99 in Bay Area
Replies: 3
Views: 793

8,000 lb Granite Assembly w Iso Legs - $99 in Bay Area

No interest in the auction, but for a local with room...

Image

https://www.ebay.com/itm/193676094371?s ... fresh=true

Four available...
by JohnDownie
Thu Jun 03, 2021 8:40 am
Forum: Equipment Discussions
Topic: Need Input on Studio Setup
Replies: 12
Views: 1475

Re: Need Input on Studio Setup

Mix and match, it'll save you a lot of money. You're in Canada, right? Chances are the boards you can get are metric. Thorlabs offer metric/imperial screw adaptors. You can get the arca plate type screw, the one with a smooth section, in metric from Hejnar, I have around 10, it was $4 each I think....
by JohnDownie
Wed Jun 02, 2021 12:09 pm
Forum: Equipment Discussions
Topic: Need Input on Studio Setup
Replies: 12
Views: 1475

Re: Need Input on Studio Setup

Optical breadboards work great. I mount Arca-swiss style QR plates upside-down with the supplied 1/4-20 hex and then clamp a articulating arm onto that to hold things/lights/clamps. The plates work great since you can loosen the clamp and just slide to re-position. Robert - is an M6-threaded breadb...
by JohnDownie
Tue Jun 01, 2021 3:43 pm
Forum: Equipment Discussions
Topic: Need Input on Studio Setup
Replies: 12
Views: 1475

Re: Need Input on Studio Setup

Thanks, guys, this is very helpful. I'll use the top as the photo target platform. I might use the inside for storage. There will be no computer mounted in the table - maybe a small monitor attached. I might replace the top with breadboard, add cantilevered extrusions to support a longer setup, or o...
by JohnDownie
Mon May 31, 2021 8:07 am
Forum: Equipment Discussions
Topic: Need Input on Studio Setup
Replies: 12
Views: 1475

Re: Need Input on Studio Setup

I am near Toronto. I had been looking at tables at a surplus place. I just pulled the trigger on a unit that looks like it will work well. Not a breadboard top. I can add one if I feel I need it at some future point. Thanks Robert! https://www.torontosurplus.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9...
by JohnDownie
Sun May 30, 2021 2:43 pm
Forum: Equipment Discussions
Topic: Need Input on Studio Setup
Replies: 12
Views: 1475

Need Input on Studio Setup

I am finally in a spot to build a little studio in my office. It will be for 1:4 to 10:1, with the occasional still life, perhaps. I am anticipating shooting tethered most of the time, composing and focusing with an external screen. I am soliciting guidance on the form and structure of the table/ben...
by JohnDownie
Thu May 27, 2021 2:00 pm
Forum: Equipment Discussions
Topic: OpenFlexure Delta Stage
Replies: 3
Views: 894

Re: OpenFlexure Delta Stage

I would think that holding precision would be tough due to thermal change due to lighting, etc.
by JohnDownie
Sat Jul 04, 2020 10:44 am
Forum: Equipment Discussions
Topic: Test wafer distribution: Many features, includes res chart
Replies: 80
Views: 27609

Re: Test wafer distribution: Many features, includes res chart

The primitive Canada Post system apparently does’t have the equipment to “extrude”. Mine came in four big pieces.

Interesting IGA flyer used for padding - excellent buy on Crumbed Fish Fillets!