Search found 556 matches

by chris_ma
Sat Mar 09, 2024 10:04 am
Forum: Equipment Discussions
Topic: Safe objective cleaning solution -- so much conflicting info online?
Replies: 21
Views: 619

Re: Safe objective cleaning solution -- so much conflicting info online?

good timing, I was just trying to clean sheet of glas with anti-reflective coating that has tape residue, and was only partly successful. obviously lenses have a much smaller surface and need to be handled more carefully not to get any liquid inside of the lens, but here my experiments so far: I usu...
by chris_ma
Tue Feb 13, 2024 10:09 am
Forum: Equipment Discussions
Topic: Sharpest aperture for a given macro lens
Replies: 35
Views: 1286

Re: Sharpest aperture for a given macro lens

to add to Rik's excellent explanation: most common lenses will perform slightly stopped down from wide open at infinity (often 2-3 stops is mentioned as the optimum aperture). this is because at wide open, imperfections of the lens design will add some softness, while if you stop down, you'll reduce...
by chris_ma
Wed Jan 31, 2024 3:22 am
Forum: Equipment Discussions
Topic: Need opinions about computer for stacking with Zerene
Replies: 10
Views: 737

Re: Need opinions about computer for stacking with Zerene

So I am now expanding my original post and asking... Do I want to go for a MacBook or an iMac, all other relevant specs being the same? (Let's just say, for now, that screen size in not relevant.) Rik will have the exact performance numbers for Zerene but generally speaking, with the transition to ...
by chris_ma
Sat Jan 27, 2024 8:55 am
Forum: Equipment Discussions
Topic: New Rayfact Lenses at Japan Trade shown in 2023
Replies: 11
Views: 681

Re: New Rayfact Lenses at Japan Trade shown in 2023

I probably phrased this a bit poorly - what I meant is that on the summary on Roberts page the weight is listed as 770g, while in the trade show video we can see a label with 7700g.

I think I need a bigger stepper motor :)
by chris_ma
Sat Jan 27, 2024 3:35 am
Forum: Equipment Discussions
Topic: New Rayfact Lenses at Japan Trade shown in 2023
Replies: 11
Views: 681

Re: New Rayfact Lenses at Japan Trade shown in 2023

very cool, thanks for posting!
RobertOToole wrote:
Fri Jan 26, 2024 11:40 pm
Posted this on my site already: https://www.closeuphotography.com/
I think there's a typo in the weight of the 5-10x, in the vido there's a label which seems to be 7.7kg
Anyone want to guess prices?
hmm, around 30'000?
by chris_ma
Mon Jan 22, 2024 3:03 pm
Forum: Equipment Discussions
Topic: AstrHori 25mm f/2.8 2x-5x full-frame macro lens
Replies: 52
Views: 1737

AstrHori 25mm f/2.8 2x-5x full-frame macro lens

new lens, very similar to the Laowa 2.5-5x.
judging from first reports a bit lower image quality than the Laowa at two thirds of the price:

https://petapixel.com/2024/01/18/astrho ... e-cameras/
by chris_ma
Wed Jan 17, 2024 3:59 am
Forum: General Discussion Forum and Community Announcements
Topic: AI Photo Use So Widespread is Sad to See
Replies: 19
Views: 843

Re: AI Photo Use So Widespread is Sad to See

I'm not sure that hey are AI generated, more likely photoshopped. the first one in full size: https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/465004b93fd11d4306195dafcf858fcdd39075d2/0_185_5100_3059/master/5100.jpg?width=620&dpr=2&s=none a google image search finds this image in older webpages back to 2009, where AI...
by chris_ma
Tue Jan 16, 2024 8:29 am
Forum: Equipment Discussions
Topic: MEJIRO GENOSSEN FL0530 4.0/110 FLOAT LENS TEST IS FINALLY ONLINE
Replies: 63
Views: 3125

Re: MEJIRO GENOSSEN FL0530 4.0/110 FLOAT LENS TEST IS FINALLY ONLINE

For those interested, Chendata recently listed a FL0530: https://www.ebay.com/itm/116040198607?hash=item1b0488e9cf:g:Pb0AAOSwZoRkMCXu already gone :) but also has some macro varons which look to be in good condition listed: https://www.ebay.com/itm/116035597555 He also has a Schneider Xenon-Diamond...
by chris_ma
Thu Jan 11, 2024 11:49 am
Forum: Equipment Discussions
Topic: Panasonic Lumix S 100mm f/2.8 Macro 1:1 announced (L-Mount)
Replies: 11
Views: 759

Re: Panasonic Lumix S 100mm f/2.8 Macro 1:1 announced (L-Mount)

Chris, autofocus lenses mean instant, automatic rail-less stacking. This is a huge advantage in a macro lens, especially for field work. I cannot imagine going back to a manual lens now for field work. Good point, I don‘t do any in the field stacking, but if I would I‘d definitely go with an autofo...
by chris_ma
Wed Jan 10, 2024 2:38 pm
Forum: Equipment Discussions
Topic: MEJIRO GENOSSEN FL0530 4.0/110 FLOAT LENS TEST IS FINALLY ONLINE
Replies: 63
Views: 3125

Re: MEJIRO GENOSSEN FL0530 4.0/110 FLOAT LENS TEST IS FINALLY ONLINE

that sounds more likely.
after all it would be odd for Mejiro to publish a data sheet which lists distortion at each magnification down to 0.001% (1 part in 100'000) and then not care how the ring is lined up :)
by chris_ma
Wed Jan 10, 2024 10:33 am
Forum: Equipment Discussions
Topic: Panasonic Lumix S 100mm f/2.8 Macro 1:1 announced (L-Mount)
Replies: 11
Views: 759

Re: Panasonic Lumix S 100mm f/2.8 Macro 1:1 announced (L-Mount)

Well, all of them do. The Sony is a 46mm at 1x and the Canon RF is a 36mm at 1x - at least according to photonstophotos. I wouldn't expect the Pansonic to behave differently, it'll probably be in a similar range, maybe even shorter? wow, that's a lot. I knew they get shorter but didn't realize it w...
by chris_ma
Wed Jan 10, 2024 9:30 am
Forum: Equipment Discussions
Topic: MEJIRO GENOSSEN FL0530 4.0/110 FLOAT LENS TEST IS FINALLY ONLINE
Replies: 63
Views: 3125

Re: MEJIRO GENOSSEN FL0530 4.0/110 FLOAT LENS TEST IS FINALLY ONLINE

My copy has the same behavior for the float ring, stops after 3.0X and well before 0.5X... I have had the lens for a couple of years or more also purchased from Chendata my copies do that too, the float adjustment go quite a bit past on both sides. I'll post some pictures with a elastic ruler next ...
by chris_ma
Wed Jan 10, 2024 9:15 am
Forum: Equipment Discussions
Topic: Panasonic Lumix S 100mm f/2.8 Macro 1:1 announced (L-Mount)
Replies: 11
Views: 759

Re: Panasonic Lumix S 100mm f/2.8 Macro 1:1 announced (L-Mount)

here's a size comparison:

Image


note that the panasonic doesn't extend as you focus closer. I could imagine it shrinks it's focal length though.
by chris_ma
Wed Jan 10, 2024 9:05 am
Forum: Equipment Discussions
Topic: MEJIRO GENOSSEN FL0530 4.0/110 FLOAT LENS TEST IS FINALLY ONLINE
Replies: 63
Views: 3125

Re: MEJIRO GENOSSEN FL0530 4.0/110 FLOAT LENS TEST IS FINALLY ONLINE

actually I doubt that mejiro put all that effort into designing that lens and then was to lazy to put the rings into the right position :) my guess is rather that the lens has been tampered with, but it's interesting to collect some data from different owners. I'll check with my lenses when I'm back...
by chris_ma
Wed Jan 10, 2024 5:15 am
Forum: Equipment Discussions
Topic: MEJIRO GENOSSEN FL0530 4.0/110 FLOAT LENS TEST IS FINALLY ONLINE
Replies: 63
Views: 3125

Re: MEJIRO GENOSSEN FL0530 4.0/110 FLOAT LENS TEST IS FINALLY ONLINE

However just in case someone does own it and runs into certain issues, I thought I'd share my (limited) experience with the lens. thats's some fantastic info, thanks for sharing. I always thought the F-stops and float ring would be adjusted properly, so I never checked. I usually use the lens aroun...