Need advice for 10X microscope objective

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redaipaul1
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Post by redaipaul1 »

Hello guys,

First of all, I need to thank you again for all your advice.. I already redesigned my set-up and ordered the new components for better stability and also efficiency.

There is one last thing that I still struggle with. It is about the light diffusing.
I read many posts and articles regarding this topic and is mind blowing.

Could you give me some pointers to this matter?

All your help is very much appreciated.
Redai Paul

Macro_Cosmos
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Post by Macro_Cosmos »

Start from what you can get a hold of. Any spherical looking thing can do wonders.
To this day, I still use that jelly plastic bowl that's wrapped in tracing paper.

Quick and easy diffuser would be a white ping-pong ball. Just cut it and place it on the specimen. This is why vertical shooting can be preferable. Mounting the thing horizontally could be a hassle.

A white foam cup with the bottom cut out and objective inserted does a good job as well, it's easy to mount too. Of course, there's far more sophisticated methods and sometimes harsh light can produce better detail. Sometimes underexposing just to pull shadows out is better, especially when it comes to those highly reflective subjects (IMO).

Example of underexposing and pulling shadows and adding brightness VS "correct" exposure.
#1
Image
Image
https://flic.kr/p/2iLMfLY
https://flic.kr/p/2gv19Dn

#2
Image
Image
https://flic.kr/p/2iLfEaw
https://flic.kr/p/2gDwSvu

Now soft diffused light VS harsh light
Image
Image
https://flic.kr/p/2iMeTbz
https://flic.kr/p/2iKd1y6

The soft VS harsh is subjective, I like both results. One is soft and fluffy like a cloak, the other has a lot of dimension and detail. However the underexpose+post set is objectively better than the "correct" exposure, according to the camera of course. None are reward winning, but I hope it illustrates my point well.

redaipaul1
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Re: Need advice for 10X microscope objective

Post by redaipaul1 »

Hello guys,

During this period I made some major upgrade to my setup and the resuls are much better. Also when used the same 10X regular objective.
Please see setup pictures bellow:
IMG_20200613_144422.jpg
IMG_20200613_191158.jpg
And some results with 4X Plan infiity objective:
Capture_o.JPG
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3.JPG

And some pictures with regular 10X objective
Capturemmm.JPG
e.JPG
2.JPG
Redai Paul

Macro_Cosmos
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Re: Need advice for 10X microscope objective

Post by Macro_Cosmos »

For those butterfly wings, you still need to improve your lighting. It's a good foundation though. More diffusion will help, urania moth scales are really reflective.
Your setup looks really nice and versatile. Good job! For wings, I recommend vertical setups. A setup like yours can be easily modified into accepting vertical shooting.

Lou Jost
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Re: Need advice for 10X microscope objective

Post by Lou Jost »

Regarding vertical vs horizontal set-ups for butterfly wings, there are some trade-offs for each, depending on your environmental conditions. I prefer my vertical set-up, but for butterfly wings lying flat, dust can be a problem. So you may like to use a horizontal set-up for them.

chris_ma
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Re: Need advice for 10X microscope objective

Post by chris_ma »

Lou Jost wrote:
Sat Jul 04, 2020 7:08 pm
. I prefer my vertical set-up, but for butterfly wings lying flat, dust can be a problem. So you may like to use a horizontal set-up for them.
I‘m using a philips air cleaner with hepa filter before the photo session, reduces the dust floating around quite a bit.
chris

redaipaul1
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Re: Need advice for 10X microscope objective

Post by redaipaul1 »

Macro_Cosmos wrote:
Sat Jul 04, 2020 11:32 am
For those butterfly wings, you still need to improve your lighting. It's a good foundation though. More diffusion will help, urania moth scales are really reflective.
Your setup looks really nice and versatile. Good job! For wings, I recommend vertical setups. A setup like yours can be easily modified into accepting vertical shooting.
Thank you for all ypur help and your kind words. Regarding the difuseing of the light i have a small project in progress to change the lightning sistem, i am makeing a light tunel and hope to ger better results.

The in progress project:
Capture.JPG
IMG_20200630_192817.jpg
IMG_20200630_212248.jpg
Redai Paul

Macro_Cosmos
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Re: Need advice for 10X microscope objective

Post by Macro_Cosmos »

That's going to be a very interesting light tent. I look forward to the results! :D

Would be nice for vertical setups too. Have the camera shooting in from the top then the side has a panel that allows accessing the specimen(s). I've thought about doing something similar with my ring strobe, but it turned out to be too clumsy since my Paul C Buff ABR800 is pretty thick.

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