Sony NEX + Nikon Micro-NIKKOR 55mm f/2.8 AI-s lens
in Blog EN January 13, 2014, 18:26


This is a very nice setup for low magnification macro work on Sony NEX cameras. It seems (and looks!) like it was made for each other! Beside the camera and the lens, it consists of 2 essential parts: Novoflex NEX/NIK adapter for Nikon lens to Sony E-mount cameras and Novoflex ASTAT-NEX tripod collar for Sony NEX lens.

Some personal observations about the Novoflex parts below. I won't insist on the lens, there are many tests available.

- the lens adapter is very well made and it also allows mounting the Nikon G lenses; there is no play between camera and lens parts; I would have preferred a groove on the adapter for the collar because there is the tendency to move back and forth between the blue ring and the mount when rotating the camera - a partial fix for this is to push the camera backwards when moving it to the desired orientation; the camera rotation is very smooth though!

- the tripod collar is also very well made; there is a small design flaw imho - it ships with the locking screw on the right side (where the bulkier camera grip is), making the locking/unlocking quite difficult! Luckily it can be orientated to the left side of the camera (like in the picture), you'll only need a suitable hex key for the 2 screws locking the collar to the bidirectional Arca Swiss base (a very nice feature!)

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Why did I choose those parts? Because this setup allows me to work very easy with my MP-E setup (details and more info about it on a previous blog post). I only need to mount the lenses through the tripod collars with Arca Awiss bases on the Novoflex Castel-Q rail. So it represents a nice compact alternative for magnifications under 1X.








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Hello Macro-Nikkor 65! I've had ...
in Blog EN June 02, 2013, 20:45


Hello Macro-Nikkor 65!

I've had the fortunate occasion to try a legendary lens: Nikon Macro-Nikkor 65mm f/4.5, borrowed from a good friend.

All I can say about it: it's excellent! Very robust mechanically and with a very good working distance at any magnification, really a pleasure to work with.

This is a picture of the setup... :)







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The MP-E setup Hello Canon MP-E! ...
in Blog EN April 22, 2013, 22:12




Hello Canon MP-E! I've said that in July 2012. I didn't have time to post images made with this excellent lens but I'll start to post some in the near future.

From down to top: Really Right Stuff TP-243 tripod, Arca Swiss Cube tripod head, custom Hejnar Arca Swiss plate, Newport 433 linear stage, Sunwayfoto DDY-64 clamp, Novoflex Castel-Q rail, Novoflex QPL-AT2 plate (the blue one).

I'm very happy with it, everything is smooth and very stable. It's a little bit heavy though.





On the Novoflex Castel-Q rail there is a custom knob (the large silver one) which makes the translations much smoother than with the standard one.
For diffusing/reflecting light I use a Nikon SW-12 diffuser, mounted on a Noga variable friction arm (found a great deal on eBay for 3 of them!).






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Arca Swiss Cube tripod head ... o...
in Blog EN April 22, 2013, 22:03


Arca Swiss Cube tripod head

... or resistance is futile! :)

For sure, the most important piece of equipment I've aquired in the last years. It's very well built, not very heavy and much more compact than the Manfrotto 410 geared head I've previously owned.

I've bought it almost 1 year ago and I'm happily using it ever since. It's very stable, doesn't sag at all and allows any desired composition at any angle.

Regarding ergonomics: the buttons are small, too small in my opinion, but this is the price to pay for its compactness.

To cast a little bit of shadow: my model came with very stiff adjustments of the geared rails, I had to send it back for service. It came back as it should have been in the first place, with very smooth adjustments.

And last thing: it's very expensive, definitely overpriced. But I don't regret at all the purchase.





Another view of the Really Right Stuff tripod and Arca Cube:





Images of the linear stage setup I use. It's a Newport 433 model, with a custom made Hejnar Arca Swiss plate at the bottom (locked with 3 screws) and a Sunwayfoto DDY-64 clamp on top, also fixed with 3 screws.






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26.03.2013 It's Spring here for ...
in Blog EN March 26, 2013, 18:58


|||26.03.2013|||

It's spring here for sure...

It has snowed heavily this past night, the snow layer was about 10 cm this morning.





But it melted pretty quickly during the day and there are many signs showing the real spring is just around the corner!






Still around 2-3 weeks for the macro season to start for me. I can't wait!


0 comments, 531 views - Show/Reply

I've reached a small milestone, 10.000 ...
in Blog EN February 02, 2013, 19:21


I've reached a small milestone, 10.000 visits!

Thanks all for visiting and commenting on my images!

In the spring I intend to do some videos about focus stacking. I keep my fingers crossed for good weather and some free time at the sunrise.


6 comments, 721 views - Show/Reply