Pine Cone Revisited

[rnabholz]

Did some more sectioning on a pine cone seed.

AO 150, Various magnifications, Hand Microtome, Oblique lighting mask used to tone down highlights. Afocal using a Nexus 6 phone.

[mrsonchus]

Very good and interesting images. Can you give an idea of the orientation of the sections i.e. which part of the cone we are seeing?
Thanks for the post.

[rnabholz]

Very good and interesting images. Can you give an idea of the orientation of the sections i.e. which part of the cone we are seeing?
Thanks for the post.

Yes, sorry.

I should start by clarifying that I am sectioning a scale of the cone, not a seed, sorry for the generalization. My understanding is that the seeds are housed in the scales.

So as oriented below, the section that this series represents would be one that would be made left to right across the scale, or as I understand it a true "cross" section. The previous series I posted was top to bottom or I believe called "longitudinal".

The slide was made from cuts from a larger scale. When straightened in the microtome, they tend to split, and so the resulting sections on the slide represent half a full cut, wide in the middle, tapering to a point at the edge.

Hope this helps, thanks for the interest.

Rod

[mrsonchus]

Superb, looks like a really pro-job. Many thanks, like the picture of the cone too. This is one for my list (ever growing) of things to try!
Thanks for the post.

[gekko]

Very good work! Do you hold the camera/phone by hand?

[rnabholz]

Very good work! Do you hold the camera/phone by hand?

I do hold it by hand, but I made an "assist" device.

To capture the entire field, the phone needs to be held about a half inch or so above the eyepiece. I found it challenging to maintain the spacing and alignment while actuating focus and shutter release, so I made a cylinder of closed cell foam and duct tape.

I focus the scope, slide on the cylinder, place the phone on the cylinder, focus the phone and shoot. Much easier!

The phone has a setting that extends the dynamic range it can capture, which can really come in handy at times, like these shots with the bright highlights and the darker tones. I have been pleased with it

Thanks for the interest.

Rod

[75RR]

I do hold it by hand, but I made an "assist" device.

Like it. Simple and effective!

[vasselle]

Bonjour
Très belles photos.
Et votre système et simple et efficace pour prendre photos .
Merci pour le partage
Cordialement seb.

[rnabholz]

Thanks, 75RR

Merci Beaucoup, Seb

[JimT]

Good DIY job with the foam/ duct tape assist. Also good photos.

[rnabholz]

Thanks Jim.

[gekko]

I do hold it by hand, but I made an "assist" device.

To capture the entire field, the phone needs to be held about a half inch or so above the eyepiece. I found it challenging to maintain the spacing and alignment while actuating focus and shutter release, so I made a cylinder of closed cell foam and duct tape.

I focus the scope, slide on the cylinder, place the phone on the cylinder, focus the phone and shoot. Much easier!

The phone has a setting that extends the dynamic range it can capture, which can really come in handy at times, like these shots with the bright highlights and the darker tones. I have been pleased with it

Thanks for the interest.

Rod

Many thanks, Rod. I now realize that you did show the camera "assist" earlier but the added description was helpful. The extension of the dynamic range of your camera/phone is very useful, and I'm amazed at the quality you can get from it.

[rnabholz]

Thanks Gekko.

The phone's quality has been a pleasant surprise. It is obviously very easy to use, and as you say seems to be performing well.

I admit that it is hard for an old shutterbug like me to relinquish that much control, but it is hard to argue with the results.

Thanks for the interest.

Rod

[billbillt]

This an extremely simple and effective way to do this.... My kind of project... Thanks!...