Shown here is the setup I used for
this palp photo, which was the result of 28 separate exposures combined with
Helicon Focus Pro.
I'm not 100% thrilled with this arrangement, but I'm getting decent results so I suppose it's worth sharing. I think I would get better (or at least more consistent) results by ditching the focusing rail and using the mechanical focusing stage from an otherwise broken microscope to raise and lower the photo subject.
- Canon 30D
- Canon Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2 (wireless flash controller)
- Sigma 2X Teleconverter
- Canon MP-E 65mm manual focus lens
- Wimberley lens plate (barely visible here)
- Really Right Stuff B150-B Macro Focusing Rail
- Really Right Stuff BH-55 Pro ballhead
- Gitzo 1325 tripod legs
Other equipment used but not shown here:
- Two Canon 580EX Speedlite flash units
- Quantum Turbo 2X2 Battery Pack
- Canon RS-80N3 Remote Switch
Now for the good news: most of the equipment listed is optional for this task, which is great because you could buy a decent used car for what all this crap costs.
You'll notice a few other items: black (now somewhat faded) construction paper, Post-it labeling tape (attached sticky side up), and a 35mm film canister with the bottom end cut off. The paper provides a little bit of light and glare attenuation. Post-it tape is used to hold the specimen in place without leaving a bunch of sticky goo to rinse off before returning to alcohol. And the film canister will be used as a softbox for the flash.