It’s not nice today it feels blasted cold. Whilst out on our walk I was turning logs over in the hope of finding an interesting beetle, grub or larvae. I found a very nice black ground beetle and decided to pop him on a rock on a plate with water and focus stack several images. I got all set up with the camera tethered to the laptop. LED ring lights for illumination and introduced it to the stage. The daft bugger had a wander round the rock and then fell in the water. I saved it from drowning with my finger and then popped a bit of honey on the rock. It ate some but before I could take a frame it was back in the water. Once again I launched the lifeboat and got a quick snap.
Yesterday afternoon was hot and sunny so in between lazing about I found this little beauty.
I have been thinking of rigging up a finite 10x microscope objective on a tube and connecting it to the camera. It is more complicated than I realized as there seems to be little standardisation between microscope manufacturers. The tube will have to be either 160mm or 210mm long less the adaptor to the camera and the distance from that to the sensor or film plane, It gets worse as some objectives are designed to work with cover slips and others aren’t. I guess I could do with a metallurgical one. Then the threads on the objectives vary from Whitworth 36tpi to several metric ones. I did come across some excellent looking lenses with built in LEDs, lots of various magnifications and a price tags to match.
I almost know exactly what I want. I may forget it as it would only work on dead things and with a stepping motor driven focusing system. I’ll just keep on as I am. Maybe.
These look specatcular.
ReplyDeleteMersad
Mersad Donko Photography
Mersad, I have to sort this lighting out but not much chance with a shiny beetle.
Deleteyou're my favorite geek :)
ReplyDeleteR>Mac, you can't know many.
DeleteYou call the reluctant beetle - Ringo - an "ungrateful little beast" but maybe he just wanted to shun the limelight and enjoy a simple, anonymous life in the woods with his family and friends. All those red carpet events, the selfies and the endless interviews - it's not for every beetle.
ReplyDeleteYP, it was not happy but at least it can't bite.
DeleteHard work Adrian.
ReplyDeleteBob it is just good fun.
DeleteI love the way the lights have reflected off the wet beetle to make it all shiny. It all looks very tricky to me especially when they don't cooperate.
ReplyDeleteDouglas, the hardest part is focus. I set the lens and move the camera. To focus I first have to locate the little blighters which is not always easy. Easier than birds though.
DeleteThat beetle hasn't got a hernia; it's expecting a baby beetle. Trust me. I'm a nurse.
ReplyDeleteThanks Frances. I never thought of that and that explains her wig cases rising.
DeleteThe beetle looks magnificent in its glossy coat.
ReplyDeleteGreat eye detail on the little fly.
John, soaking wet the poor thing is. I can't ID the fly but I'm more than happy with the focus. I did pop a drop of honey on the dandelion which keeps them still or some of them.
DeleteYes, keep on.You're doing well. So these insects were sent to challenge you?
ReplyDeleteRed, the variety is endless. I got up for a tiddle and have just spent ages snapping a moth.
DeleteVery co-operative of your subjects to pose against different coloured backgrounds. I've discovered the opposite of a geek is a muggle. That's me. I appreciate the beetle's shiny coat but have no idea what you're talking about most of the time.
ReplyDeletePauline, I am both cameraman and director so shout at them through a megaphone.
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