Photo Extension Tube

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btschumy
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Photo Extension Tube

#1 Post by btschumy » Sun Jan 29, 2017 2:21 am

I've come to realize (I think) that my camera setup leaves something to be desired. I'm using a simple direct projection adapter that hooks the DSLR to the top photo tube and lets the objective directly project onto the sensor. This works reasonably well but normally the Leitz Periplan eyepieces correct some aberrations from the objective. I'm missing that correction with this setup. As a result the resolution of my images doesn't match what I can see through the eyepiece.

Note: I'm using a Leitz SM-D LUX with a 170mm tube length.

After reading this article http://www.microbehunter.com/connecting ... icroscope/, I think I need to be using a photo-projection eyepiece. I've search around on eBay for such a thing and I find various things that sound similar but I'm not sure.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Leitz-376110-Ph ... SwzaJX9AIi
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Leitz-4x-Projec ... Sw2GlXI5iA
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Leitz-Microscop ... Sw42JWC2NC

Can someone help me wade through this?

I do have an adapter that will clamp onto the photo tube and hold the camera (without lens) in position. Is all I need is a photo-relay eyepiece?

Don't mind spending some $$$ to get something that really works well.

I've seen these adapters at Martin Microscopes.

http://www.martinmicroscope.com/product/mm-slr/

They are pricey but possibly a good solution.
Last edited by btschumy on Sun Jan 29, 2017 10:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Bill Tschumy
Leitz SM-D LUX
AO Spencer "Cycloptic" Stereo Microscope (Series 56C)

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75RR
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Re: Photo Extension Tube

#2 Post by 75RR » Sun Jan 29, 2017 10:29 am

Have a look at this link - it should help.

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=882
Zeiss Standard WL (somewhat fashion challenged) & Wild M8
Olympus E-P2 (Micro Four Thirds Camera)

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mrsonchus
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Re: Photo Extension Tube

#3 Post by mrsonchus » Sun Jan 29, 2017 10:47 am

Hi, personally I'd give the martinmicroscope adapter a miss - I think he must be out of his mind to ask for that price.....

I've used an adapter that allows for example my Meijii x2.5 projection eyepiece (for photography) to be dropped into it's interior and a camera (in my case a Canon EOS 1200D DSLR) to be attached via the usual T2 adapter fitting, as in the picture of my rig below....
websize_canon_1200d_tethered (3).jpg
websize_canon_1200d_tethered (3).jpg (284.72 KiB) Viewed 4530 times
I think the adapter and the Meijii projection-eyepiece x2.5 both came from Brunel Microscopes here in the UK.

Hope this helps a little.
John B

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btschumy
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Re: Photo Extension Tube

#4 Post by btschumy » Sun Jan 29, 2017 2:08 pm

75RR:

I have seen those links by Charlie Kerbs. That was partly how I came to realize I needed some sort of photo-projection eyepiece in the system. It still doesn't answer my question about what specifically I need. Of the eBay links I posted, are any of those right?

mrsonchus:

I've looked on the Brunel site and don't see the adapter tube you are using. Is it still available from them? If I had something like that then I'd just drop a projection eyepiece into it, right?
Bill Tschumy
Leitz SM-D LUX
AO Spencer "Cycloptic" Stereo Microscope (Series 56C)

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mrsonchus
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Re: Photo Extension Tube

#5 Post by mrsonchus » Sun Jan 29, 2017 4:19 pm

That's right Bill, the 'projection' eyepiece simply drops into the adapter - ending up in the top of the photo-tube in the same way as any regular eyepiece would - then the adapter simply provides a means of holding the camera a certain distance above the projection eyepiece...
You could easily simulate this by placing a projection eyepiece into the photo-tube then fixing your camera - no lens attached of course - above the eyepiece with a tripod say; then 'black out' the intervening space with maybe a black cloth (as would the adapter) and you should get exactly the same result I think....

I'll check exactly where the adapter came from - I'll let you know Bill....
John B

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75RR
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Re: Photo Extension Tube

#6 Post by 75RR » Sun Jan 29, 2017 4:43 pm

You can use a regular Leitz Periplan eyepiece in afocal or in direct projection, which would give you the correction you want.

For direct projection just place it in the trinocular photo tube. Once you have it parfocal with the eyepieces you then raise it a few millimeters above its normal height, in order to project a real intermediate image rather than a virtual one directly on to the camera sensor.
I use plastic spacers cut from electrical tubing (which fit perfectly) in various heights: 2.5mm, 5mm, 10mm and 15mm.
The variation in height projects different sized images on to the sensor.
The camera then has to be focused by raising and lowering it precisely.
I have mine on a tripod to avoid vibration, to which I attached an old Olympus OM focusing rail.
If you want to place your camera directly on the trinocular photo tube then you need an attachment that is hollow, without any lenses that will allow you to place the Leitz Periplan eyepiece and adjust the camera height.
Zeiss Standard WL (somewhat fashion challenged) & Wild M8
Olympus E-P2 (Micro Four Thirds Camera)

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btschumy
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Re: Photo Extension Tube

#7 Post by btschumy » Sun Jan 29, 2017 5:20 pm

So what do people think my first link is?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Leitz-376110-Ph ... SwzaJX9AIi

This seems to be what I need except it is for the newer 160 mm tube length Leitz scopes. Any guess if it would work in a 170? Just a bit of refocusing? This adapter does have lenses as some seller commented that they were clear and in good condition. From the description I implies it performs the same correction as a Periplan eyepiece.
Bill Tschumy
Leitz SM-D LUX
AO Spencer "Cycloptic" Stereo Microscope (Series 56C)

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75RR
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Re: Photo Extension Tube

#8 Post by 75RR » Sun Jan 29, 2017 5:31 pm

btschumy wrote:So what do people think my first link is?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Leitz-376110-Ph ... SwzaJX9AIi

This seems to be what I need except it is for the newer 160 mm tube length Leitz scopes. Any guess if it would work in a 170? Just a bit of refocusing? This adapter does have lenses as some seller commented that they were clear and in good condition. From the description I implies it performs the same correction as a Periplan eyepiece.
Not sure how that would work. Here are a couple of links to threads in the photomacrography forum where you could post a question.

http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/v ... 9265#99265
http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/v ... projection
Zeiss Standard WL (somewhat fashion challenged) & Wild M8
Olympus E-P2 (Micro Four Thirds Camera)

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