Celosia argentea cristata (i think?)

[bobfriedman]

interesting cut flower..

Nikon D300S ,Nikon Plan 4X NA 0.13 160/-
1/250s iso100 55-stack


Nikon D300S ,Zeiss Luminar 100mm f/6.3
1/250s iso100 35-stack


Nikon D300S ,Zeiss S-Planar 74mm f/4
1/250s iso100 35-stack


Nikon D300S ,Mitutoyo M Plan APO 2x NA 0.28 200/0
1/250s iso100 30-stack


Nikon D300S ,Mitutoyo M Plan APO 2x NA 0.28 200/0
1/250s iso100 35-stack


Nikon D300S ,Carl Zeiss Luminar 63mm f/4.5
1/250s 30-stack iso100


Nikon D300S ,Nikon M Plan 10x DIC NA 0.25 210/0
1/250s iso100 55-stack


Nikon D300S ,Nikon M Plan 20X NA 0.40 210/0 ELWD
1/250s iso100 55-stack


Nikon D300S ,Nikon Plan 4X NA 0.13 160/-
1/250s 35-stack iso100


Nikon D300S ,Zeiss Luminar 25mm f/3.5
1/250s 55-stack iso100

[bobfriedman]

by the way, the Mitutoyo M Plan APO is an infinity corrected lens so i used a 200/4 Ai'D nikkor as a tube lens

[Harold Gough]

Nice choice of subject.

This is commonly called the Crested Cock's Comb and is usually given species status as C. cristata.

http://www.nature.british-towns.net/nat ... 842&page=1

Harold

[Craig Gerard]

Bob,

A good selection of lenses and some fine compositions.

There also appears to be a variety of stacking methods used for this series?


Craig

[bobfriedman]

thank you craig.. turns out that all images were straight-forward application of PMAX using ZS.. no sub-stacking or retouching on any image.

[Craig Gerard]

Bob,

Could you indicate the step size used for the 10X and 20X images?


Craig

[bobfriedman]

Bob,

Could you indicate the step size used for the 10X and 20X images?


Craig

sadly no, as i used the beginning/ending/number of steps feature of the stackshot controller.

[rovebeetle]

Bob,
Could you indicate the step size used for the 10X and 20X images?
Craig

I also use Mitutoyo Planapo lenses (5x and 10x) but with the MT tube lens.
At 160mm extension I use a step size of 0,007 mm for the 10x and 0,015 for the 5x.
Hope to receive the 20x soon.

Cheers

[bobfriedman]

for these images... a somewhat trial and error number of steps was chosen.. clearly, it is hard to estimate the optimum step size to minimize the number of steps and get the best performance out of ZS...

of would love to know of such a parametric optimization alg for ZS for a given lens/subject arrangement.

[Craig Gerard]

Bob,

When using the 10X and higher magnification, be certain to turn on 'High Precision Mode' via the StackShot controller.

I normally use the Auto-Dist Mode and adjust the Dist/Step size according to the objective. 8µm to 10 µm would be an appropriate starting point for a 10X objective. I may use a smaller step size depending on how much overlap is required between frames to avoid focus banding. When working at 20X, 2µm to 5 µm is the range I'd be inclined to apply. At 5X, somewhere in the range of 20µm and if using a 2X objective 120µm should keep you out of trouble. Those suggestions should be regarded as 'ballpark' figures.

I find it best to use the smallest step sizes within a range, look for focus banding issues between frames in post-production and exclude those frames which do not contribute additional detail to that provided by the frame before or after it.

There are a number of DOF calculators available and each lens does have specific characteristics.



Craig

[bobfriedman]

Bob,

When using the 10X and higher magnification, be certain to turn on 'High Precision Mode' via the StackShot controller.

i always use high precision mode..

[bobfriedman]

Bob,
I normally use the Auto-Dist Mode and adjust the Dist/Step size according to the objective. 8µm to 10 µm would be an appropriate starting point for a 10X objective. I may use a smaller step size depending on how much overlap is required between frames to avoid focus banding. When working at 20X, 2µm to 5 µm is the range I'd be inclined to apply. At 5X, somewhere in the range of 20µm and if using a 2X objective 120µm should keep you out of trouble. Those suggestions should be regarded as 'ballpark' figures.

I find it best to use the smallest step sizes within a range, look for focus banding issues between frames in post-production and exclude those frames which do not contribute additional detail to that provided by the frame before or after it.

Craig

yes.. thank you... i am aware of these modes and have used them in the past.. .the problem is that i am not very good in judging distance at these scales and the auto dist mode seems to overshoot as the mag increases for me

this flower though was quite easy....

[bobfriedman]

by the way... i also got quite good results from a Apo-Rodagon 75/4.5

Nikon D300S ,Rodenstock Apo-Rodagon-D 75mm f/4.5 2X
1/250s iso100 55-stack

[Craig Gerard]

Bob,

Another fine image and an excellent lens.

I was waiting for an eBay auction to finish before commenting on your latest image.

Regarding the lighting. I noticed in the earlier setup image two diffused flash units. Have you explored alternative means of diffusion, to achieve a broader, softer light?

Could you provide some information regarding the illumination, 'M', TTL, flash duration, etc?

.....................................................

*As a side note:
If anyone reading is interested in an APO - Rodagon D 2x 75mm f 1:45, keep your eye on this seller (link below), the items may be relisted. The seller had 3 available, I purchased one today and the other two were passed in @ $180.00 with no bids. The listing specifies 'New in box' and the price is very reasonable.
*Items have been relisted:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/280878698874


Craig

[naturephoto1]

Bob,

Extremely nice images.

Rich