Search found 272 matches
- Sat Feb 06, 2021 10:08 am
- Forum: Equipment Discussions
- Topic: Newport Damped Optical Posts
- Replies: 38
- Views: 10537
Re: Newport Damped Optical Posts
Thanks! I'm definitely enjoying how clean and simple it is. Wish I went this route from the beginning 😅 Good idea about the safety catch. I am currently using those long 15mm rods as a stopper but I think they may only absorb most of the energy in the event of a mishap and may still result in the le...
- Sat Feb 06, 2021 7:49 am
- Forum: Equipment Discussions
- Topic: Newport Damped Optical Posts
- Replies: 38
- Views: 10537
Re: Newport Damped Optical Posts
Decided to get rid of the Newport optical post, in the end it was a bit too short and difficult to mount things to without shelling out for the expensive Newport adapters and attachments. The nylon gears also leave a lot to be desired but for the right application it's not a bad piece of kit. I ende...
- Sat Oct 24, 2020 3:03 am
- Forum: Macro and Micro Technique and Technical Discussions
- Topic: Short video of my automated setup
- Replies: 3
- Views: 3220
Re: Short video of my automated setup
This was just a demonstration video for some others so I decided to leave the diffusion out of the way :wink: Though I don't often use much diffusion when shooting coins. Ancient coins in particular typically have high relief and can benefit from having a hint of shadows around certain parts, if you...
- Sun Oct 18, 2020 2:50 am
- Forum: Macro and Micro Technique and Technical Discussions
- Topic: Short video of my automated setup
- Replies: 3
- Views: 3220
Short video of my automated setup
I put together a short video to demonstrate my automated setup for some interested people from my other hobby (ancient coins) and thought it might be worth sharing here too. https://streamable.com/tfdzvu I kept the details on the functionality a bit brief as the video was more aimed at those less ex...
- Wed Sep 16, 2020 10:09 pm
- Forum: Macro and Micro Technique and Technical Discussions
- Topic: A couple macro questions
- Replies: 7
- Views: 3342
Re: A couple macro questions
Using this Venus lens at anything past 1:1 and with a partially closed aperture (like f5.6) must be very dimmly illuminated - I don't know how I would focus it on a fast-moving insect (maybe in continuous burst mode :) ) The only issue I've had in regards to this is that the focus peaking doesn't w...
- Tue Sep 15, 2020 3:27 am
- Forum: Macro and Micro Technique and Technical Discussions
- Topic: A couple macro questions
- Replies: 7
- Views: 3342
Re: A couple macro questions
Hi Maray, Do you need only 2:1 ( or more as 5:1 , 10:1, 20:1, 50:1 )? Have you already taken a look at this one? https://venuslens.net/product/laowa-25mm-f-2-8-2-5-5x-ultra-macro-2/ Best, ADi Or the 100mm 2x is a good option too: https://venuslens.net/product/laowa-100mm-f-2-8-2x-macro-apo/ My only...
- Thu Sep 10, 2020 5:47 am
- Forum: Equipment Discussions
- Topic: Newport Damped Optical Posts
- Replies: 38
- Views: 10537
Re: Newport Damped Optical Posts
I have tried a dampened post years ago but I did not like the nylon geared rail strip that was mounted on the post. The optical post arrived yesterday and I think I see what you mean by not liking the nylon geared strip. There's quite a bit of rotational play between the rack and pinion mechanism a...
- Wed Sep 02, 2020 2:45 am
- Forum: Equipment Discussions
- Topic: Newport Damped Optical Posts
- Replies: 38
- Views: 10537
Re: Newport Damped Optical Posts
These iShoot clamps are the best, they can be found on ebay for ~$20. The short 1/4" (or 3/8?) countersunk channels either side of the centre thread look like they could be very useful! I'm always finding it a challenge to get Arca clamps with more than one point of connection that have a hole patt...
- Tue Sep 01, 2020 12:45 pm
- Forum: Equipment Discussions
- Topic: Newport Damped Optical Posts
- Replies: 38
- Views: 10537
Re: Newport Damped Optical Posts
I don't know the details for the Newport one but you can find a patent from 1985 for a Melles Griot damped optical post. It's probably similar generally to the Newport one but I'm sure these days the "damping masses" are a bit more high tech.
- Tue Sep 01, 2020 5:26 am
- Forum: Equipment Discussions
- Topic: Newport Damped Optical Posts
- Replies: 38
- Views: 10537
Re: Newport Damped Optical Posts
I have just now measured that shift, and was surprised to find that it is only about 200 microns at the end of the lever arm where the objective sits. That point is about 300 mm away from the post, so around 0.04 degrees of angular shift. In any case, (1) there are lots of other places for the angl...
- Mon Aug 31, 2020 6:56 am
- Forum: Equipment Discussions
- Topic: Newport Damped Optical Posts
- Replies: 38
- Views: 10537
Re: Newport Damped Optical Posts
Thorlabs XT66 width: 40.33mm Arca Swiss dovetail: Sunwayfoto: 39.02mm iShoot: 38.62mm RRS: 38.15mm Hejnar: 38.10mm Stackshot: 38.14mm Wemacro: 40.15mm Sirui: 38.94mm Leofoto: 38.03mm Generic: 39.4mm (Measured with a calibrated Sylvac caliper) XT66 confirmed to work with iShoot, Leofoto, RRS, Hejnar...
- Mon Aug 31, 2020 12:24 am
- Forum: Equipment Discussions
- Topic: Newport Damped Optical Posts
- Replies: 38
- Views: 10537
Re: Newport Damped Optical Posts
I use the 66mm rail of Thorlabs bolted to a T-shape. Together with two wooden feet which adapt wobble-free to any surface and can be used horizontal or vertical. Very sturdy in itself, on the wooden feet I used rubber cones which came from loud speaker equipment. The best is, the dovetails on all f...
- Mon Aug 31, 2020 12:21 am
- Forum: Equipment Discussions
- Topic: Newport Damped Optical Posts
- Replies: 38
- Views: 10537
Re: Newport Damped Optical Posts
Hi Cam, I have tried a dampened post years ago but I did not like the nylon geared rail strip that was mounted on the post. Have you seen the dual post Z column that Thorlabs sells? They pop up on Ebay sometimes for tempting prices. Hey Robert, What was it about the nylon rack that you didn't like?...
- Sun Aug 30, 2020 6:30 am
- Forum: Equipment Discussions
- Topic: Newport Damped Optical Posts
- Replies: 38
- Views: 10537
Newport Damped Optical Posts
Has anyone here tried using a damped optical post for a vertical setup? Melles Griot make them, as well as Newport . They can be had on eBay for significantly less (if you're in the US) and the vibration damping seems suited for our hobby. Two considerations: I'm not sure how much weight the rack an...
- Sun Aug 16, 2020 3:17 pm
- Forum: Macro and Micro Technique and Technical Discussions
- Topic: Custom TMC5160 Motorized Rail and User Interface
- Replies: 1
- Views: 2775
Custom TMC5160 Motorized Rail and User Interface
The Trinamic stepper motor drivers are all the rage and deservedly so. I've primarily been using the TMC2130 the past two years but the TMC5160 drivers from Watterott were updated to support a feature mawyatt had been raving about - Motion Controller mode. Instead of having an Arduino or RPi telling...