I have started experimenting with, and learning about, extreme macro photography using microscope objectives – I have an old but little used Russian microscope that has 3 removable lenses: I used 2 of them for this session.
I have used a ‘focus stacking’ technique to provide adequate depth of field (amount of the image from front to back that is in focus). I also include photos of the setups so that I can refresh my memory of what I have done. The subject matter is a dry, decaying daffodil flower!
First though, I have set a benchmark using vintage enlarger lens on some old bellows:
From the above image I estimate the magnification of the subject is about 2.4x (each mark is 1mm).
Below I show a single image from the set used for focus stacking so that you can see the difference in the amount in focus:
The next set is using an 8x microscope objective:
Finally, I tried the x40 microscope lens. Hmm, not a good choice for a subject with depth:
The above image shows several problems: The depth of field is limited because the lens is so close to the subject that as I tried to change the focus the lens was pushing the subject away; The resolution is poor so there is not much detail; and microscopic dust marks that were not showing at lower magnifications are very noticeable and the focus stacking has ‘tracked’ them.
From the above photo I estimate the magnification to be about x50.
Overall, I found this to be a useful exercise. I think there is scope for using the x8 microscope lens but not the more powerful ones.