#MICROSCOPE RESOLUTION CALCULATOR FULL SIZE#
#MICROSCOPE RESOLUTION CALCULATOR TRIAL#

f/16 at 5:1 is an effective aperture of f/96, well into diffraction softening territory. Diffraction softening helps explain why uninformed photographers using mp-e 65 get poor results, because they're using the lens at 5:1 at f/16. Diffraction softening isn't such a big deal when you're at 1:1 and below, but once you start venturing towards 5:1 then you have to take notice of it. Diffraction softening is a loss of sharpness or resolution caused by photographing with small f/stops and is a well known limiter in extreme macro photography. Microscope objective let in more light than reversed enlarger lenses, and are therefore less prone to diffraction softening than reversed enlarger lenses.

#MICROSCOPE RESOLUTION CALCULATOR FULL SIZE#

Full size images here (f/16) and here (f/100). On the left: f/4 used at 3:1 so effective f/16, on the right effective f/100 (using m42 iris on a reversed Componon 35). Why Use Microscope Objectives For Macro?ĭiffraction softening in extreme macro.

#MICROSCOPE RESOLUTION CALCULATOR TRIAL#

This does mean that there is a certain amount of trial and error involved because some of these objectives by themselves can and do show quite significant colour fringing. In microscopes, chromatic aberration is cancelled out by corrective eyepieces, which of course we do not use when connecting a microscope objective to a camera for macro. In microscopes, chromatic aberration is cancelled out by corrective eyepieces, which of course we do not use The main technical issue using microscope objectives for extreme macro to bear in mind is chromatic aberration. There is no fixed answer as to which method is 'better' some infinity objectives are stellar performers as are some finite objectives and it all really boils down to individual testing, preference and convenience. A Nikon CFI Plan 10x/0.25NA 10.5mm WD objective is an superb infinite objective for 5:1 to 10:1. Nikon CFI Plan 10x/0.25NA 10.5mmWD objective, an excellent infinite objective for 5:1 to 10:1.Īn infinity objective is one that has to be mounted in front of an infinity tube (ie a lens mounted on the body focused at infinity), whereas a finite objective has to be mounted a specified distance from the image sensor. The microscope objectives used in extreme macro can be divided into two camps: infinity objectives and finite objectives. Bottom line: a microscope objective has a lower f/stop than reversed enlarger lenses will give you at extreme magnifications. I personally tend to use a microscope objective beyond 5:1 because there is less diffraction with microscope objectives. less diffraction with microscope objectives Microscope 'objectives' is the name for the lenses that are used in microscopes, and provide more or less the only way to go beyond 10:1 macro photography, although they are also used to cross the 5:1 macro threshold.

Microscope resolution calculator