Actually, a device like that would be rather simple to make. Just mount a Stackshot on a pistol grip :-k Yes - I knocked-up something similar on a thin aluminium plate (with a WeMacro rail). Just a bodge to try it. Not quite what I'm after. I want the tactile physical connection between my finger a...

Hopefully, speculation isn't too far off-topic... I'd like something like one of those gunstock camera holders, but with a modification. Squeezing the (long-travel) trigger slides the camera and lens smoothly forward on the mount while triggering the camera at regular intervals (preferably per unit ...

Beta version is coming - light from both sides (separate dimmers) & sample can be rotated. Oh my! That could be so good for diatom arranging and easily adapted to my setup(s). I think I have some suitable parts to try it out too (but not LEDs and electronics :( ). I can probably simulate with fibre...

@Beatsy Which carbon travel monopod are you using? I use a Kirk MPA-2 Monopod Head (about £200 new) on a Gitzo GM2562T Series 2 Carbon eXact monopod (£150 2nd hand). The Kirk head was bought to use with a 400/2.8 prime (mainly sport, birds and wildlife), but it works well here too. Oh, and the pod ...

Sorry - a bit late writing this up. This short commentary is the result of one garden outing using a Sony A9 and 70-200/2.8GM with the Nisi filter fitted. It was not a strict test of the optics, more a test that the system is suitable for the kind of photoography I want to do with it and the picture...

Purely my current preferences... For 1:1 and closeup it's handheld. Always. Higher mag, mostly MP-E 65 @ 2-3x it's a carbon travel monopod with added tilt head (borrowed from my 400mm setup). This is light enough to permit handheld but offers a stable-ish point when required. You don't get much move...

If you wear glasses and are required to wear a face mask, you might be entitled to condensation.

I don't want to divert the discussion but is there no love for the Sigma 180 mm Apo 1:3,5 as an affordable alternative to the Minolta? Sorry Icthy, I missed your post. No, I have no love for the Sigma. I had my heart set on the Minolta from many years ago. I was a bit of a sucker for high-end manua...

Thanks for your comments, everyone. Some useful and interesting info. just a couple of points to followup, if that's OK... I'm aware of the marketing-led mark-ups. Few moan louder than I do about it - and the cost of our kit in the UK in general. But - it ain't expensive if you can't get it cheaper ...

It happens that I own a much older brass mounted diamond scribe, so I've put it under the stereo. the tip was not conically cut but pyramid shaped cleaved (and the tip badly cleaved again by use). Interesting stuff, maybe eventually I'll put it under the stacking rig...if my laziness at 34 degree a...

mawyatt wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 08, 2020 9:08 am

...Another option, maybe not so awful looking is the Heyjar Lens support...

Thanks for the pointer, but I can't find anything support-like under "Heyjar" on Google. Do you have a link pls? Ta.

Not quite sure how I inspired this, but "mundane" things up close do ring my bell Nice one. Amazing that they cut anything, eh!?

Next one on my list Pau. Race ya

I'd like to know how they get the smooth, conical shape. The surface is kind of pimply rather than polished-looking. Weird...

Nice work, Steve I find the fracture surfaces of the tip the most interesting aspect: not just an irregular fracture but in most part clean cleavage planes. Ta. The fractures are the best bit for sure. I know diamonds are hard but brittle and relatively easy to cleave (aka break if "cleaved" by acc...

Nice work, really like the stereo view. Agree it just "jumps" out to show the 3D effect. Is that a Wemacro lens holder on the "tube lens" which looks like a Nikon 200mm F3.5? Thanks. I can't find any brand on the lens! I call it "generic M42" but it is 200/3.5 so you may have solved a mystery. Yes,...