Search found 1436 matches

by AndrewC
Sun Mar 01, 2015 8:30 am
Forum: Macro and Micro Technique and Technical Discussions
Topic: Mounting question
Replies: 7
Views: 4051

SONYNUT wrote:i like to use 1/2 moon carpet needles..makes it easy to get the subject inside my light diffuser without the mount in the way...
Do you mean something like a semicircular upholstery needle ?
by AndrewC
Sun Mar 01, 2015 8:28 am
Forum: Macro and Micro Technique and Technical Discussions
Topic: Mounting question
Replies: 7
Views: 4051

sometimes helps if you put a tiny spot of glue (white or cyanoacrylate) on the end of a pin before you stick it in - can stop your subject slipping on the pin.
by AndrewC
Sun Mar 01, 2015 8:25 am
Forum: Macro and Micro Technique and Technical Discussions
Topic: Path to shutterless camera? Konost/CMOSIS development
Replies: 9
Views: 4381

It would be good if they ever did it at a reasonable price but I can't see it happening. Better as suggested to go with a cheap DSLR or maybe an EVIL so you at least lose the mirror movement ?
by AndrewC
Sun Mar 01, 2015 8:15 am
Forum: Macro and Micro Technique and Technical Discussions
Topic: Effect of background colour on the appearance of an image
Replies: 11
Views: 3755

Artistic types might suggest you go for a complimentary colour (opposite side of the colour wheel from your subjects primary colour) which in this case would give you something purple with some kind of low key texture. That would look rather odd to me :) Publishers like Dorling Kindersley like white...
by AndrewC
Sun Feb 01, 2015 2:39 am
Forum: Macro and Micro Technique and Technical Discussions
Topic: Reflective, bounced, lighting
Replies: 7
Views: 4315

From a few years ago :) http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=11454&highlight=parabolic+reflector Not that I have enough time to work on it nowadays but I think the "best" solution has to be a hemispherical diffuser, or diffuse reflector, to mimic the sky. So either: 1) Reflector: a ...
by AndrewC
Sat Dec 06, 2014 3:48 am
Forum: Equipment Discussions
Topic: Automated stacking
Replies: 23
Views: 7681

One thing perhaps to be aware of if you are using USB communication along with a VB program for critical timing of movement, shutter and flash is that the timing is not guaranteed. Depends what else you are doing with your computer - mine might be driving a 3D printer as well as a macro stage over U...
by AndrewC
Thu Jul 03, 2014 12:17 pm
Forum: Equipment Discussions
Topic: Constant LED lighting V's Flash - Pro's / Con's
Replies: 22
Views: 6085

Hi All, Apologies firstly that I might digress away from the main topic. BugEz , I am interested if you (or anyone else for that matter) have put together (DIY) something for your own use using these new High Output LEDs, like the CREE leds. I have one of these flashlights, and its amazing how much...
by AndrewC
Sat Mar 08, 2014 1:01 am
Forum: Equipment Discussions
Topic: DIY specimen holder
Replies: 44
Views: 24808

Don't have any pictures to hand for what I'm putting together but in words: - easy enough to cut a disk out of the Ikea bowl with a Dremel cutting disk, but I am always astonished there hasn't been a class action suite shutting Dremel down for self inflicted injuries. Be careful how you hold things ...
by AndrewC
Thu Feb 27, 2014 1:37 am
Forum: Equipment Discussions
Topic: DIY specimen holder
Replies: 44
Views: 24808

Thanks for the bowl suggestions. I'll get a couple and chop them up :)
To be honest it doesn't have to be a perfect sphere, just close, and you get 90% of the benefits of an infinite axis goniometer.
by AndrewC
Wed Feb 26, 2014 2:16 am
Forum: Equipment Discussions
Topic: DIY specimen holder
Replies: 44
Views: 24808

I did toy with the idea of learning how to hydroform but that seems a bit extreme and might not go down well with the family, neighbours and local law enforcement. But it would be fun ! The only problem with hydroforming is you first have to turn a steel sphere :roll: Well you need a mould, a big b...
by AndrewC
Tue Feb 25, 2014 6:12 am
Forum: Equipment Discussions
Topic: DIY specimen holder
Replies: 44
Views: 24808

This calls for a stroll through IKEA with a magnet in hand. :) --Betty Unfortunately I don't like crowds and my Ikea tolerance level only gives me about 10mins residence time before I start twitching and have to head for the exits ! If anyone finds something suitable I'll brave it and get one. Or s...
by AndrewC
Mon Feb 24, 2014 2:13 pm
Forum: Equipment Discussions
Topic: DIY specimen holder
Replies: 44
Views: 24808

Are you trying to turn me to a life of crime ?
I did think of pilfering a mixing bowl but it is stainless steel which isn't one of the better known magnetic materials :(
by AndrewC
Sun Feb 23, 2014 9:16 am
Forum: Equipment Discussions
Topic: DIY specimen holder
Replies: 44
Views: 24808

So what would be really nice is a magnetic metal spherical cap with height significantly less than the sphere radius, and maybe even truncated so the radius of the flat plane defining the cap is less than the sphere radius (imagine just the end off an apple core ?) being held on an annular magnet. S...
by AndrewC
Mon Feb 17, 2014 3:26 am
Forum: Equipment Discussions
Topic: Planning lighting rig.
Replies: 15
Views: 5035

Certainly feasible and I have several similar prototypes in various stages of construction / destruction.

There are several LED ring lights available on ebay which might lend themselves to this. ebay 16118303712 is an example.
by AndrewC
Sun Feb 16, 2014 5:54 am
Forum: General Discussion Forum and Community Announcements
Topic: History of macro photography
Replies: 8
Views: 5163

How far back do you want to go ?
Are Stephen Dalton and John Brackenbury too recent ?