PHOTOGRAPHING PINNED INSECT SPECIMENS

A forum to ask questions, post setups, and generally discuss anything having to do with photomacrography and photomicroscopy.

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Len Willan
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Joined: Sun Mar 22, 2009 9:52 pm
Location: Como West Sydney Australia
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PHOTOGRAPHING PINNED INSECT SPECIMENS

Post by Len Willan »

PHOTOGRAPHING PINNED INSECT SPECIMENS

A simple effective process in both cost and time, that requires two Led light rings, and a PVC pipe connector for the standoff backlighting.
Results
Hypochrysops theon upperside

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Hypochrysops theon underside
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Equipment needed
Led Ring light, or other lighting for specimen Aputure Amaran Halo cost $80
Led Ring light or Flash for Backlighting cost $30
Vertical Rack Made from
Stage X-Y Movable Stage with 0-50 mm Scale Ruler Microscope $25
PVC storm pipe coupling 90mm cost $1.75
Black Nitto tape,
Flat opaque plastic for white background.
3mm stainless steel tube for holding pin when filled with Rodico

Basic Setup
Image
Image
Image
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Len Willan
Posts: 111
Joined: Sun Mar 22, 2009 9:52 pm
Location: Como West Sydney Australia
Contact:

Small Insects and Focus stacking

Post by Len Willan »

Small Insects and Focus stacking
Microlepidoptera examples
There are many examples of focus stacking rigs
I recommend a Horizontal System as opposed to a Vertical System to reduce the chance of damaging the specimen.
I use a Wemacro Focus Rail sliding on a Dovetail on a substantial base.
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The ball jointed specimen rack can been turned to an upright position for safe mounting of the specimen, and then locked when returned to the Horozontal.
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The specimen stage can be moved crosswise by a Novoflex or similar slider
Vertical up and down is done with an adapted microscope stage rack

Using Microscope lenses I use a Helical focus tube and appropriate extension tubes
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Lighting of the subject is a matter of choice
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Lou Jost
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Post by Lou Jost »

Horizontal mounts of butterflies also helps minimize dust settling on them. I like to add a dust protector.

Len Willan
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Joined: Sun Mar 22, 2009 9:52 pm
Location: Como West Sydney Australia
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Post by Len Willan »

Thanks Lou,
When using the Led/Back lighting system as in the initial post ,the turnover time from entomological cabinet draw, taking a photograph and back to the drawer is about four minutes, so that problem is minimized.

Olympusman
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Joined: Sun Jan 15, 2012 12:31 pm

What I espied

Post by Olympusman »

Looks like one of the components of your rig are the rails from a Honeywell Repronar, which I also use in my stacking setup.

Mike
Michael Reese Much FRMS EMS Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA

Len Willan
Posts: 111
Joined: Sun Mar 22, 2009 9:52 pm
Location: Como West Sydney Australia
Contact:

Post by Len Willan »

Mike,
You are correct on the Honeywell Repronar rail for the specimen movement.
The Wemaco is clamped to a short Leitz Aristophot dovetail rail with a Leitz clamp.
This combination works well,
Len

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