So, to jump in here, what's the best setup and lens for the 50R, for 1:1, or maybe a little less?

-JW:

I expect to get my new rail very soon and will use some of your test procedures on it. I also plan to try my micron-accurate dial gauge for a few tests (both rail and gauge mounted on an optical bench). The gauge only has a travel range of 1mm, but could be useful for some quick ballpark measuremen...

Anyway, I am warming to the MJKZZ Ultra, or maybe even the Pro. If all else fails, it sounds like I'd still get a better macro rail overall. I'll contact them with relevant questions. Thanks again. Looking forward to what you end up with for a horizontal rig. I'm looking for the same thing. With my...

Updated, old, reworked, and larger images are posted here.

https://squattingdog.smugmug.com/Diatoms/i-xGhqDtD/A

https://squattingdog.smugmug.com/Diatoms/i-ThKNfPR/A

-JW:

Very nice.

Scarodactyl wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 13, 2023 12:58 pm

I'm not sure what you mean by factual information ...

Thanks for replying. By factual, I meant not guessing.

-JW:

You can even put the smz10 head onto more recent bodies with apo optics, though it does limit your field number somewhat. Where can I find factual information about this? I'd like to give it a try after actually knowing what the modifications are. So the SMZ-U body accepts planapos and can accept t...

Dave, I have a couple of Nikon SMZ-10's with triocular ports. I haven't used either in quite some time but have made some cross-eyed stereo pairs with them long ago.

Maybe this will help a little. As the author mentions in the comments, you would plug your depth map into the displacement instead of the image and probably won't need to do as much sculpting because the depth map will have done most of it for you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f25h308PVlg

-JW:

Blender is an amazing free program. Like Steve said, huge learning curve but amazing. I used to generate 3D models of Mars using HiRISE DTM's using Blender and 3D printed them. Very cool. This "might" be doable, plus it's open source. Other than that I haven't tried anything else in Blender. Extrudi...

WaterGoblin wrote: ↑

Fri Sep 22, 2023 3:56 am

are there any trinocular heads which work with the Optiphot and can display an image from the eyepieces and the trinocular port at the same time that will work with this DIY adapter?

Just following the thread.

-JW:

Sweet. I was just reading an old email today where you and I were discussing this. I wonder what diameter pinhole this would punch in a piece of thin aluminum foil?

Yes, I did.

Thanks for the explanation Rik. Hopefully I can find the original image set. Thanks for the tip on NOT aligning SP's in SPM too.

I wonder if there's a sequel to Vogel's Cats' paws and Catapults since technology has skyrocketed since it was published?

-JW: