Search found 129 matches

by bralex
Fri Sep 11, 2020 8:51 am
Forum: General Discussion Forum and Community Announcements
Topic: Japan --> US shipping/customs/duties on lenses?
Replies: 1
Views: 2475

Japan --> US shipping/customs/duties on lenses?

I'm looking to purchase a new objective from Japan. The idea is that a friend there will buy it for me, and ship it here to the US. Neither of us know anything about what duties/tariffs might apply specifically to a microscope objective, and my internet searches have not been productive (too specifi...
by bralex
Tue Sep 08, 2020 3:41 pm
Forum: Macro and Micro Technique and Technical Discussions
Topic: Tranforming diatoms into magnesium replicas
Replies: 5
Views: 2732

Re: Tranforming diatoms into magnesium replicas

I think he's saying "magnesia" not "magnesium" when he talks about the replica.
by bralex
Mon Sep 07, 2020 9:38 am
Forum: Technical and Studio Photography -- Macro and Close-up
Topic: Fluorite with masking tape
Replies: 12
Views: 5700

Re: Fluorite with masking tape

Lovely! I have never seen this before either. But I was reading recently about kintsugi , a Japanese method of repairing ceramics in which the repaired seam is deliberately highlighted in gold. This image reminded me instantly of that idea. --Rik I saw that too! I love the idea of balancing preserv...
by bralex
Sun Sep 06, 2020 9:13 pm
Forum: Technical and Studio Photography -- Macro and Close-up
Topic: Fluorite with masking tape
Replies: 12
Views: 5700

Fluorite with masking tape

Ok, it's not really masking tape, but that's what it makes me think of. Selective growth of an unknown mineral on the edges of fluorite cubes.
by bralex
Sun Aug 30, 2020 10:08 am
Forum: Technical and Studio Photography -- Macro and Close-up
Topic: Hematite from Nordmark Sweden
Replies: 1
Views: 1472

Hematite from Nordmark Sweden

New lighting, new macro rail, even some new lenses (though not used for this one). Suggestions for improvement welcome.

Hematite and Clinochlore, Newmark District, Sweden. FOV ~12 mm


Hematite Nordmark SWE small.jpg
by bralex
Mon Aug 10, 2020 7:10 am
Forum: Macro and Micro Technique and Technical Discussions
Topic: Macro Product Photo Help Needed
Replies: 11
Views: 4522

Re: Macro Product Photo Help Needed

I was waiting for the critiques, because to my untrained eye that's a pretty good photo. I'll echo the other commenters and suggest a brighter colored background to make removal/replacement easier.
by bralex
Fri Jul 10, 2020 8:11 am
Forum: Equipment Discussions
Topic: Godox 150W Video LED Light
Replies: 8
Views: 6905

Re: Godox 150W Video LED Light

Sorry to revive an old thread. I'm shopping for a Godox SL150W right now, and noticed the updated model claims 8X lux (58000 vs. 7200 @ 1m, specs from the Godox website) and better color rendition. Does that seem plausible? Partly, I'm wondering if your test was on an "interim" model that had - as y...
by bralex
Thu Jul 09, 2020 12:09 pm
Forum: Equipment Exchange
Topic: Old Olympus film back x 2
Replies: 2
Views: 1671

Re: Old Olympus film back x 2

At this point, I just want them out of my office. Make an offer, I'll probably accept.
by bralex
Fri Jun 19, 2020 7:28 am
Forum: Photography Through the Microscope
Topic: Bubbles (polarized light).
Replies: 3
Views: 1418

Terrific pictures! I also like the 4th one best!
by bralex
Tue Jun 16, 2020 7:23 am
Forum: General Discussion Forum and Community Announcements
Topic: Scheduled upgrade of the forum software
Replies: 10
Views: 6868

Thank you for testing a bunch first! Unusual to say the least :)
by bralex
Mon Jun 08, 2020 3:56 pm
Forum: Equipment Discussions
Topic: Troubleshooting small focus differences
Replies: 11
Views: 1629

Both were on and set to 0 delay previously. Setting both to 1/4 sec delay improved things. Setting each and both to 0 delay again left things in good shape. My only thought is that one of the firmware updates reset/turned off silent mode, but left the setting indicator in the menu on. I'd never noti...
by bralex
Mon Jun 08, 2020 1:16 pm
Forum: Equipment Discussions
Topic: Troubleshooting small focus differences
Replies: 11
Views: 1629

Reshot more-or-less the same thing, with much better results. I'd been thinking of external vibration, not internal. My whole house is sadly prone to vibration. I'm using a new WeMacro rail system, which is fairly lightweight. Here's another frame and the final result - I'm working on better techniq...
by bralex
Mon Jun 08, 2020 12:32 pm
Forum: Equipment Discussions
Topic: Troubleshooting small focus differences
Replies: 11
Views: 1629

Sorry, just getting back to this. Yes, I know the settings I just changed. Previously both silent and anti-shock were on but with 0 sec delay. Changed silent and anti-shock to 1/4 sec. I've literally only taken 1 pic with the new settings but it was sharp and in focus. I'll continue playing this aft...
by bralex
Mon Jun 08, 2020 9:44 am
Forum: Equipment Discussions
Topic: Troubleshooting small focus differences
Replies: 11
Views: 1629

It was already on, but with 0 sec delay. Upping the delay to 1/4 sec made a visible improvement. I'll be able to do more experimenting this afternoon to see about optimizing.
by bralex
Mon Jun 08, 2020 9:38 am
Forum: Equipment Discussions
Topic: Troubleshooting small focus differences
Replies: 11
Views: 1629

Turned it on years ago and never tweaked it. Upping the delay made a big improvement. I'll keep experimenting, thanks!