So the software supports 4k, but the resolution of Live View is so much lower that someone suggested I not waste the money on a 4k display for this application. Does that make sense? I am only using the laptop for focusing... I don't know what version of software you have but if this is your first 4...

I plan to buy a new Windows laptop for use exclusively for focusing prior to stacking. I"ll be using Capture One Pro (or Control My Nikon) tethered to a Nikon D850 to focus the shot and view the specimen while positioning but then I'll disconnect the laptop from the camera and do the shots with a St...

Good info, Chris. I was concerned that this seller (Kliton) used the exact description and the exact reviews for all (dozens!) of his objectives at eBay.He also listed all of them as "Olympus"-just sloppy, I guess. But I had heard that he was a former forum member who posted good work, so I took the...

;-)

Lou Jost wrote:Congratulations to dhmiller, and a bottle of wine to Chris S!! Very generous of you to do this test.

Thanks for the info. The lens I received tested well but was not particularly well packaged and could have been broken had it been dropped in transit. But all seems well at this point. When people see something like this listing for a Mity 20x for around $500, would they tend to be skeptical? US sel...

Mac or PC? On the Mac, you can use Capture One, though that is somewhat overkill if all you are doing is tethering, You can also use Nikon's own Camera Control Pro, also for Windows. I think ControlMyNikon (Windows) would also be a good choice. I've been shooting with my Canon HRT2i for quite some t...

I shoot stacks with a D850 MUP - I just set the stackshot to take two shots with a 5 second interval - just like I would do when shooting manually. I find the color rendition to be superb on all the recent Nikon pro bodies - I also have a D5 and a D500 and plan to do some tests with the latter short...

Thanks for the tip. That looks a lot like the Wemacro XYR stage with specimen holder I just got... I added a small ballhead to the top - just under the specimen holder, and this could work if I can mount it securely on some type of heavy platform - moves too much even if you turn the gears gently. T...

That's an interesting idea, but the 3x kit with the rotary tables and controller <without> the actual Stackshot itself (which I already have and can use for the Z axis), is $1600 US - that seems way overpriced to me. But I will look into it. Thanks for the suggestion. Did you notice StackShot 3X? It...

Well the problem is, I don't have an efficient working system to hold my specimens. I have tried the Helping Hands devices - far too imprecise and not immobile - and also purchased the Wemarco XYRstage with specimen holder, and the alligator clip broke off the first time I used it. It also has a ver...

Pau = I thought the Micromate was used to focus a scope? How are you using it? I asked William about adapting it for use as a specimen holder, but he didn't think that was a good idea...

Pau wrote:

Lou Jost wrote: I have the Wemacro Micromate <snip>

Struggling with specimen positioning and looking for a complete rig that I can purchase for use with Stackshot-based system. Currently own Wemacro X, Y, R stage with specimen holder, the latter of which (the alligator clip) broke off the first time I used it... Willing to consider any options.

Thanks, Brent. In this, a little touchup in PS would be adequate, given the placement of the "spirals." But I usually give the sensor a swab when needed, so hoping that will work as well. Will look into the Nikon software, which I don't typically use. Dennis This is not as good as physically cleanin...

I'll look into that once I see what the Macro stage is like - just arrived as I was leaving town. Thanks for the tip. I really like the thorlabs gear. If you need really precise adjustment, thorlabs has a translating post holder which adjusts over 16mm and for really really precise adjustments a tra...

The diffuser is certainly one issue that I need to alter- I'm going to try the Wemacro XYR device and see how that works. Thanks for the Thorlabs tip. https://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage9.cfm?objectgroup_id=1985 https://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage9.cfm?objectgroup_id=1266 Assemble an optical pos...