Trying extreme macro photography with microscope objectives:

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:

A 15-image focus stacked view of the subject using the enlarger lens on the bellows
This shows the subject, lens, bellows and camera for the previous image
Using the setup to photograph a steel rule to estimate the magnification.

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:

A single image showing the limited depth of field

The next set is using an 8x microscope objective:

23-image focus stacked view of the subject using a x8 microscope objectives on the bellows
This shows the subject and lens for the previous image
This view is of the steel ruler showing an estimated magnification of about 10x
A single image showing the limited depth of field

Finally, I tried the x40 microscope lens. Hmm, not a good choice for a subject with depth:

Even with focus stacking there is limited depth of field and resolution

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.

This view shows the lens pushing into the flower
This shows how close the lens is to a flat subject like the steel rule
This shows the greatly enlarged markings of the steel ruler

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.