20X Lens Tests. I am posting 3 pictures taken with a "new" 20X Mitutoyo Plan Apo Infinity Corrected Long WD Microscope Objective attached to an old 200mm Pentax lens. This allows me to start getting into some extreme stack territory. That said this lens new is over $2000.00 U.S. However, I found a scratched one on Ebay for $300.00. I have no idea what its life was before but the outside surface of the whole lens was deeply scratched there were actual dings in the rim of the lens and a HUGE scratch (gouge really) in the lens itself along the edge. I could see under my scope that there was at least some dust inside the lens too! But, 300 is 300 and I know that many times scratches and such don't have as much impact in these stacked shots as one would imagine. So, here are the results with a tiny tiny chrysidid wasp, a male flying ant of some kind we are using in a study, and the corner of a head of a small Halictus tectus. All told, I am satisfied that I got my monies worth, but would be interested in hearing from others regarding any signs of lens flaws that they can see or advice on approaches to using this lens...the long working distance is fantastic. 21:25, 7 August 2016 (UTC)21:25, 7 August 2016 (UTC){{{{{{0}}}}}}21:25, 7 August 2016 (UTC)21:25, 7 August 2016 (UTC)

All photographs are public domain, feel free to download and use as you wish.

Photography Information: Canon Mark II 5D, Zerene Stacker, Stackshot Sled, 200mm Pentax-m with 20X Mitutoyo Plan Apo Infinity Corrected Long WD Objective mounted on front , Twin Macro Flash in Styrofoam Cooler, F5.6, ISO 100, Shutter Speed 200

Love for Other Things

It’s easy to love a deer But try to care about bugs and scrawny trees Love the puddle of lukewarm water From last week’s rain. Leave the mountains alone for now. Also the clear lakes surrounded by pines. People are lined up to admire them. Get close to the things that slide away in the dark. Be grateful even for the boredom That sometimes seems to involve the whole world. Think of the frost That will crack our bones eventually.

      -  Tom Hennen

You can also follow us on Instagram account USGSBIML Want some Useful Links to the Techniques We Use? Well now here you go Citizen:

Basic USGSBIML set up: www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-_yvIsucOY

USGSBIML Photoshopping Technique: Note that we now have added using the burn tool at 50% opacity set to shadows to clean up the halos that bleed into the black background from "hot" color sections of the picture. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bdmx_8zqvN4

PDF of Basic USGSBIML Photography Set Up: ftp://ftpext.usgs.gov/pub/er/md/laurel/Droege/How%20to%20Take%20MacroPhotographs%20of%20Insects%20BIML%20Lab2.pdf

Google Hangout Demonstration of Techniques: plus.google.com/events/c5569losvskrv2nu606ltof8odo or www.youtube.com/watch?v=4c15neFttoU

Excellent Technical Form on Stacking: www.photomacrography.net/

Contact information: Sam Droege sdroege@usgs.gov