Search found 78 matches

by AlxndrBrg
Sat Nov 10, 2018 4:41 pm
Forum: Equipment Discussions
Topic: Stacking Low Cost Enlarger Lenses For High-End Image Quality
Replies: 36
Views: 7550

As this is the newest thread among the "incredible results with stacked lenses" bombs that have shown up, I'll ask here: Has anyone tried using the ITL200 as the tube lens in these tests with a low cost enlarger lens at the front? I know its far from the cheapest tube lens, but seeing as its widely ...
by AlxndrBrg
Tue Sep 11, 2018 6:29 pm
Forum: Technical and Studio Photography -- Macro and Close-up
Topic: Dung Beetle?
Replies: 8
Views: 1192

Nice shot, but I disagree with id, favouring more. May Beetle - Diplotaxis sordida. Seems to be more in that line going off colouring and overall shape. George But Diplotaxis belongs to the Scarabaeidae, subfamily Melolonthinae? It does look similar to that genus, but this specimen is covered evenl...
by AlxndrBrg
Tue Sep 11, 2018 3:36 pm
Forum: Technical and Studio Photography -- Macro and Close-up
Topic: Dung Beetle?
Replies: 8
Views: 1192

Nice, its a scarabaeid beetle, which includes dung beetles, but this one isnt one, looks like the subfamily Melolonthinae - cockchafers and the like
by AlxndrBrg
Fri Sep 07, 2018 10:59 am
Forum: Equipment Discussions
Topic: Tube Lens Test With MITUTOYO 5X M Plan APO
Replies: 66
Views: 13590

As someone who's about to walk into the world of tube-lenses and infinite-style objectives this is a god sent! The inclusion of different names for the same lenses are really great as well, wading through the swamp of names when trying to purchase things like this can be really frustrating! Some que...
by AlxndrBrg
Tue Sep 04, 2018 2:31 pm
Forum: Technical and Studio Photography -- Macro and Close-up
Topic: Cuckoo wasp (Stilbum cyanurum) at 40x and 60x
Replies: 2
Views: 1231

really nice shots, but its however very much not a Stilbum, instead this is a Hedychrum species, a male it looks like.
by AlxndrBrg
Mon Aug 27, 2018 6:44 am
Forum: Equipment Discussions
Topic: 3X test - Objectives vs Lenses - Final Results Online
Replies: 22
Views: 3495

Great stuff - I am kinda missing the Lomo 3,7x though, from what I recall it handles being pushed down quite far, would be interesting to see how it competes with these real glass monsters ;)
by AlxndrBrg
Wed Aug 22, 2018 2:45 pm
Forum: Technical and Studio Photography -- Macro and Close-up
Topic: Self Heal (Prunella vulgaris) - stereo added
Replies: 3
Views: 1035

Gorgeous!

I'm curious about your stacking speeds, how long it take to complete, and what processor are you using?

Thanks!
by AlxndrBrg
Tue Aug 07, 2018 12:58 am
Forum: Equipment Discussions
Topic: Tube Lens Test With MITUTOYO 5X M Plan APO
Replies: 66
Views: 13590

Tremendous work as always! I'm surprised the "in-house" tube lens by Mitutoyo looks so poor, considering the quality of their lenses. Or is it just me that imagine things? The centre crop has low contrast and looks a lot less sharp than the others, but the off-centre and corner crops get progressive...
by AlxndrBrg
Sun Aug 05, 2018 7:13 am
Forum: Technical and Studio Photography -- Macro and Close-up
Topic: Unusual articulated tip on wasp antenna (stereo)
Replies: 7
Views: 2988

I was almost contemplating mentioning that males of Eumeninae (and Polistinae, but not Vespinae) have "pseudostingers" on their genitalia. They try to prick (excuse the pun, heh) you when being held, to make you think its about to sting. Dont know if they serve any additional purpose when it comes t...
by AlxndrBrg
Sat Aug 04, 2018 5:14 pm
Forum: Technical and Studio Photography -- Macro and Close-up
Topic: Unusual articulated tip on wasp antenna (stereo)
Replies: 7
Views: 2988

Nice pictures, just from seeing the antenna tip I knew it belonged to the Eumeninae, and a male. Its for some reason a very common modification in the males of several genera of the Eumninae. It's normally not seen on images of live animals, as its on the inside/underside of the antenna. Not sure an...
by AlxndrBrg
Sat Jul 28, 2018 4:57 am
Forum: Nature Photography -- Macro and Close-up
Topic: Coming back to life
Replies: 2
Views: 1847

Its the longhorn beetle Aromia moschata, and the "worm" is its ovipositor, as its a female
by AlxndrBrg
Wed Jul 11, 2018 1:28 pm
Forum: Equipment Discussions
Topic: Three odd surplus store finds
Replies: 13
Views: 2726

no idea about the lenses, but the stepper motors are certainly usable for making an automated stacking rail, if they work that is.
by AlxndrBrg
Wed Jul 11, 2018 1:05 pm
Forum: Photography Through the Microscope
Topic: A strange insect
Replies: 3
Views: 1229

The family Ascalaphidae, "owl flies" in the order Neuroptera, really beautiful insects, they look like someone mixed a dragonfly with a butterfly!
by AlxndrBrg
Thu Jul 05, 2018 11:38 am
Forum: Technical and Studio Photography -- Macro and Close-up
Topic: Tiger Beetle - Focus Bracketing
Replies: 3
Views: 1040

It's a cicindelid, aka "tiger beetle", probably Cicindela aurulenta, a common tropical species in Asia, unless if was collected somewhere else?
by AlxndrBrg
Mon Jul 02, 2018 3:30 am
Forum: Technical and Studio Photography -- Macro and Close-up
Topic: Wasp
Replies: 2
Views: 916

Nice composition and striking colours! almost looks like a painting

The wasp belongs to the Pompilidae by the way, spider hunting wasps