Search found 1635 matches

by Cactusdave
Mon Sep 28, 2009 12:50 am
Forum: Nature Photography -- Macro and Close-up
Topic: What are these ladybird pupae doing?
Replies: 6
Views: 1775

One on the left eating the one on the right I think. Happens when they run out of other things like aphids to eat, which they will if there is a population explosion. And yes adults will eat larvae too under these circumstances.
by Cactusdave
Sun Sep 20, 2009 1:24 am
Forum: Equipment Discussions
Topic: Advice On Wireless Broadband
Replies: 6
Views: 5644

I have the Virginmedia wireless router and it works fine for me. Signal strength (and speed) drop off fairly quickly with distance from the router, and that could be an issue in a big house. Small differences in positioning of the receiving PCs also can make quite a big difference so that's worth ex...
by Cactusdave
Mon Sep 07, 2009 12:28 am
Forum: Community Members and Friends
Topic: Hallo from Kent, England
Replies: 6
Views: 4353

Yes I have an Ortholux 1 microscope. A fine old 'scope. I believe that the focus block can be removed and it looks as though that would be possible on my stand. I have no experience of trying to remove it myself. Manuals for the Ortholux 1 are available on the web and might be helpful in working out...
by Cactusdave
Thu Sep 03, 2009 5:46 am
Forum: Community Members and Friends
Topic: Hallo from Kent, England
Replies: 6
Views: 4353

Really rather a lot I'm afraid. A 10X8 greenhouse packed to the eaves!
by Cactusdave
Thu Aug 13, 2009 2:01 pm
Forum: Technical and Studio Photography -- Macro and Close-up
Topic: fuschia panorama
Replies: 20
Views: 7073

Point well taken Rik.
by Cactusdave
Thu Aug 13, 2009 12:14 pm
Forum: Technical and Studio Photography -- Macro and Close-up
Topic: fuschia panorama
Replies: 20
Views: 7073

Very pretty, and an interesting achievement, but is it technical 'overkill' I wonder? I think, unless that's a remarkably small Fuschia flower, I could achieve that depth of focus and overall composition with a conventional 105mm macro stopped down to f22 and careful lighting, probably without need ...
by Cactusdave
Tue Aug 04, 2009 12:59 am
Forum: Nature Photography -- Macro and Close-up
Topic: Doth two images a stack make?
Replies: 5
Views: 1655

This unknown fly is another example of a two image (back half plus front half) Helicon composite taken hand held in the field. Not pin sharp but quite satisfying. The same camera/lens/converter combo as used in the first picture of the beetle. http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/userpix/718_helico...
by Cactusdave
Mon Aug 03, 2009 1:03 pm
Forum: Nature Photography -- Macro and Close-up
Topic: Dragon
Replies: 7
Views: 2096

Lovely shot, pity about that expletive deleted reed stem. How many times has that happened to me!
by Cactusdave
Sun Aug 02, 2009 1:28 pm
Forum: Beginners Macro
Topic: Beginner's macro stack
Replies: 19
Views: 14707

Thanks very much for that comprehensive reply. Please don't be disappointed, but I felt my head starting to swim after the second line. :? The thing is Photoshop is a big complicated beast and I don't make my living from it. I thought I'd arrived when I learnt had to process a RAW file. :D I suppose...
by Cactusdave
Sat Aug 01, 2009 12:49 am
Forum: Beginners Macro
Topic: Beginner's macro stack
Replies: 19
Views: 14707

Hi Just caught up with this post. I'm impressed with your 'couple of minutes in Phtoshop'. I'd be interested in your work flow to remove those dust spots on wasp and sensor so neatly and cleanly. It's something I struggle with. I have to say I'd be pretty pleased with the final result you achieved.
by Cactusdave
Thu Jul 30, 2009 7:46 am
Forum: Nature Photography -- Macro and Close-up
Topic: Doth two images a stack make?
Replies: 5
Views: 1655

Doth two images a stack make?

OK a slightly jokey title. What I meant was can you call it a stack if it's made up of just two images? Normally I would never consider trying to stack images captured hand held and in the field, though I know that there are others who have this extraordinary skill. However when looking at my shots ...
by Cactusdave
Tue Jul 28, 2009 1:31 pm
Forum: Community Members and Friends
Topic: Hallo from Kent, England
Replies: 6
Views: 4353

Hallo from Kent, England

I am an ex-professional microscopist living near London in the UK. I have three microscopes; a black Leitz Ortholux 1 for which I have brightfield and also the Ultropak incident light accessory; a Zeiss Standard 12 with phase condenser and a set of phase neofluars. This microscope sadly is only a bi...
by Cactusdave
Fri Jul 24, 2009 12:39 pm
Forum: Photography Through the Microscope
Topic: for cactusdave...
Replies: 1
Views: 677

Thanks for posting that Olivier. I understand better how your system is connected now. The quality of the still pictures you are getting from this setup is excellent.
by Cactusdave
Thu Jul 23, 2009 1:48 pm
Forum: Equipment Discussions
Topic: USB CMOS Cameras .... Any good?
Replies: 7
Views: 3933

Thanks Charles. Very helpful links. I was aware of these issues with Zeiss and LOMO objectives particularly apos and planapos needing compensating eyepieces (and photorelay optics). I believe pre-infinity tube length microscopes from Leitz and Nikon also carried out correction for chromatic aberrati...
by Cactusdave
Tue Jul 14, 2009 5:10 am
Forum: Equipment Discussions
Topic: USB CMOS Cameras .... Any good?
Replies: 7
Views: 3933

USB CMOS Cameras .... Any good?

Hi. I'm new here and this is my first post. I am an ex-professional microscopist living near London in the UK. I have three microscopes; a black Leitz Ortholux 1 for which I have brightfield and also the Ultropak incident light accessory; a Zeiss Standard 12 with phase condenser and a set of phase n...