General > General Technical Chat
Best lens for macro electronic components
mawyatt:
--- Quote from: jpanhalt on August 10, 2022, 08:56:05 pm ---I hope this is not too far OT. Way back in the 70's, I had a real Nikon F. Then got a macro lens for it (can't give the exact one) and used it for documentation and comparing immunoprecipitin bands. Used B&W negatives. It was fantastic. In fact, since it was my personal camera and lens, I rarely took that lens off even when that particular project was done.
I am not into $>5K equipment (2022 equivalent) anymore, but find the Z50 attractive. It comes in a kit with a 16-50mm lens. Any opinions on that lens' macro abilities. The cheapest Z-macro seems to be the MC50/f2.8 at $650.
Edit: Spell check didn't like "immunoprecipitin." That's what they are.
--- End quote ---
Nikon has a long history of supplying superb "kit" lenses, so wouldn't expect the newer Z type to be any different.
Best,
TimFox:
My personal camera used to document electronic assemblies is a medium-weight Pentax (minority taste) K-70 DSLR (crop format) with a Pentax 35 mm f/2.8 "HD DA Lim Macro" macro lens.
For higher resolution (when needed) I have a 50 mm f/2.8 macro lens that covers the full-frame format of my heavier Pentax K1-II DSLR. I have an older 100 mm f/3.5 macro lens which is not quite as good, but allows me more room from the camera to the object.
Note that the depth-of-field under macro conditions is inherently shallower than what you may be used to with "normal" conditions. A tripod to hold the camera is useful to allow smaller apertures (higher f number) if your object has depth to increase the depth-of-field.
mawyatt:
Here's some images of an early setup trying to get absolute uniform lighting across the chip which had solder balls. When all the strobes fired at once, neighbors could see the light leaking out of the house and thought we were creating lightning inside :)
Note the double light tents for diffusion and the blue boxes are for vibration isolation, found that the RubberMaid type acted as a LPF, and the optical table rides on Sorbathane feet to help with vibration.
Also added a couple of the custom lenses used.
Yes all this is a deep deep rabbit hole ::)
Best,
TimFox:
I avoid vibration by using my concrete front porch, but you are quite right about the importance of lighting for macro use.
I intend to get one of those foldable light tents when I get back from my next road trip--have you tried them?
mawyatt:
This sits on a concrete slab house foundation which rug is on with a foam pad. At the levels we were working we could "see" a door closing, car driving down street, people walking round, or airplane flying over!!
Those tents shown are foldable types, one small and one large. They work well but "eat" lots of light!! Forget usual Speedlights for lighting, we melted a few, get mains powered strobes with quick recycle time.
Best,
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