Thanks Pete - silly me, I didn't realize that the logo on the front was B&L, upside down. I may have a better chance to evaluate this item once the estate gets settled.

I recently examined some old rocks and equipment from a retired geology professor who sadly passed away last year. This was amongst his equipment. Any thoughts on what this might be - brand / model / etc. I was not able to check functionality, optics or electronics, and there was no bulb in the illu...

I got 228 results, but that probably includes this discussion, so Rik+1

Rik, tips and tricks like this is one reason I enjoy photomacrography.net. And, I am expecting suitable images of the sheared threads

Very nice Rik. I am thinking of something similar but with extruded aluminum bar with predrilled 1/4-20 holes every 1", allowing for bolting of stuff to the frame in addition to using clamps. Depending on my energy level this summer may get to it, as the photo rig is moving to a new location anyway.

Smokedaddy - I too am always on the prowl for used 50D's, I recently snagged one that had less than 100 clicks! I probably have a lifetime supply of these camera bodies, but may end up giving them to the resident monsters (teenagers) for use in school projects. Pau - since the camera body communicat...

I have been using Canon 50D's exclusively, glad to see there are more of us out there. I believe that the maximum flash sync-speed for this model is 1/250, so regardless if the shutter is set to a faster speed, the default will be 1/250. Not sure if MagicLatern can override this setting, worth a try...

Thanks Smokedaddy, I'll enlighten Mindat.org with the information.

I didn't realize that this was a focus stacked image. Over on Mindat.org, we have been debating exactly what the object is, with no clear consensus yet, but may be a fulgurite - formed by lightning strike locally melting and and fusing sand.

Thanks guys!

10x Mitutoyo objective, Raynox 150, venerable Canon 50D, WeMacro with 200 ridiculously small 3 micron steps, ZS DMap w/ PMax correction, a bit of contrast adjustment and cropping with PS. Specimen is from one of the granite quarries in the vicinity of Baveno, Verbano-Cusio-Ossola Province, Piedmont,...

Thanks all for the suggestions. At the moment I am on a self-imposed exile from the macro studio, due to having to really get some serious work done (instead of monitoring message boards, I guess). Will give me time to ponder how to approach adding polarization to my rig and which samples will benef...

Nice images of a difficult subject. To me the blackish blocky crystals look like cubo-octahedral crystals and twins of bixbyite, although some do look a little flattened. There are clearly prismatic reddish brown crystals present that are likely rutile. Ilmenite can also be a possibility for the bla...

Thanks for the tips and comments - obviously need a bit of thinking about this, including the improve quality Edmund polarizer.

Over the years, there has been numerous suggestions of using cross-polarization to help reduce specular reflections. I finally may be motivated to do this, and am seeking some input and experience of the group here. I have some polarized sheets, 8"x10" (20cm x 25cm), so can cut and trim accordingly....