My first steps in macro photography

geo-passion
May 13
3 min read

Banc photo

When I started micro-photography in 2015 I was lucky enough to be guided by a friend who, thanks to his advice, enabled me to get started and then to evolve.

It therefore seems important to me to be able to perpetuate this knowledge and to be able to pass it on to other people, so that they too can begin this brilliant experience that is microphotography of minerals. I'm going to try and tell you about my beginnings and then part of my evolution

Well, my photos are pretty but still far from perfect and you have to realise that this hobby can be as satisfying as it is frustrating....

So I started with a second-hand Sony alpha 7 SLR mounted on a Kaiser reproduction bench, a second-hand Nikon PB6 bellows, a raynox DCR 250 windscreen (for proxis photography) and 3 Zeiss Luminar lenses (thanks JP!).

TIP: To get started with micro photography without breaking the bank, I recommend fitting a Raynox DCR250 inverted lens hood to the end of an 18-55mm lens (basic camera lenses). It's simple because all you need is a ring to adapt the whole thing.

This represents a budget of around €850 (yes, it's quite a budget).

First frustration and not the least because it follows me on all my assemblies ‘the jungle’ of rings adaptation.... Male/female female/female Male/male M52 M42 and so on!

So ebay is a very good friend in this case and don't hesitate to search in English!

So I took my first photos using a microscope platform with micrometric screws, a few ikea lamps and a remote control to manage the shots remotely. Once the 120 photos had been stacked on Helicon (free), the results were very disappointing.

In short, even the best retouching software wouldn't have done anything.

After several disappointments, I asked my companion for his Nikon D3200 SLR and one more step was taken: the photos were a little better.

Then I met the man who was going to take me a giant step forward on social networks and give me advice on how to improve.

So I sold my Sony SLR and only kept the Nikon D3200 (sorry Éric, he's been requisitioned :p ), my lenses and followed his advice.

Next set-up: Nikon D3200 + bellows + lens x4 no name Chinese I reinvest the money from my sales in an automated rail (wemacrorail 250€) and there........... Magic! The photos are really more beautiful.

You have to bear in mind that vibration is the No. 1 enemy of microphotography.

So I'm continuing in the same way and fixing my system to the wall for greater stability.

Then I bought and fitted a mitutoyo x10 (€450 second-hand from ebay) with the raynox DCR 250 inverted and a diaphragm (ebay) to adjust the contrast and sharpness of the photos.

The more you develop your system, the better the photos.

After 220,000 shots, my friend the Nikon D3200 is starting to reach the end of its life.

So I'm off to buy a new camera, but which one? Hours of research to find the pearl that's not too expensive, adaptable to my system and high-performance..

To gain in stability, I had to go for a hybrid (without mirror movement) and the Sony A6300 will do the trick.

As the bench is already complete, all I have to do is adapt this camera to the rest of the système.

Finally, I'd like to talk about the diffusers and the sample. To diffuse the light (an important point), I use a cap of white aerosol (remove the base) and a jar of actimel are my basic tools, but of course depending on the light settings of my camera, I can add more white sheets.

To place the sample, I created a ball-and-socket joint from half a child's surprise ball with plaster and a mould of the bottom cover of the parts.

These are my few photo tips, bearing in mind that this system evolves very often and, as I said, there's always something better!

You should also be aware that buying an exact replica of this one doesn't guarantee immediate success because it's a lot of work adapting to the system, lighting, etc. Good luck!