Macro Camera for PCB - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2022, 07:21:08 pm
content: Years ago I had a Nikon F with a fantastic macro lens. Used it at work to document 1000s of immunoelectrophoresis gels with B&W. That museum piece is now in the possession of a daughter. It is really tough to get ordinary film processed. To replace it with today's equivalent would be more than I want to pay. Moreover, small is an advantage.I have had a couple of cameras since. My current Canon PowerShot SX100IS is the worst for macro. I am looking for a low priced digital camera for macro and have narrowed the choice to:1) Olympus TG-62) Nikon B600 (A1000 or B700 as alternatives)3) Canon PowerShot SX6204) Panasonic Lumix FZ805) Sony RX10 Mark III6) Minolta ProShot 20 MegPixelI have seen the Olympus TG-6, and it has extreme near focus. It can focus on your fingerprint with your finger on the lens. Unfortunately, supply disruptions have made a lot of those selections out of stock everywhere in Cleveland except at Amazon. Any opinions based on experience? What I don't like/need with the Olympus is the ruggedness, water tightness, and lack of a lens shield, which is a $45 extra.

author: TimFox
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2022, 08:12:02 pm
content: Due to my original inventory of Pentax film SLRs and lenses, when I started digital I continued with Pentax DSLRs.The two "APS-C" cameras (2/3 of full-frame 24x36 mm sensor) are a KP and a K-70.The full-frame camera (about a year old) is a K-1 II.Since Pentax is a "minority taste" in DSLRs, the cameras and lenses tend to be less expensive than from Nikon and Canon.I have several macro lenses:For the APS-C sensors, a newer 35 mm f/2.8 "HD DA Lim Macro".For the full-frame sensors, an older 100 mm f/3.5 "FA Macro", and a newer 50 mm f/2.8 "D FA Macro".Of these lenses, only the 35 mm was purchased new. I believe it goes for roughly $400 new.The current version of the 50 mm is now on sale for $300 at B&H photo.My 100 mm is much older. The current 100 mm f/2.8 macro lists for about $550.

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2022, 08:55:31 pm
content: Hi Tim,Thanks for the input. I am certainly not a stranger to good optics, and for business, we usually went Leitz, Zeiss, or even Olympus for our microscopes. Surprisingly, not Nikon. This camera is primarily to shoot PCBs and other little projects a co-retiree might make. To be frank, I am embarrassed by the quality of my Canon. My much older Nikon CoolPix 990 (circa 1998) is better, but only 3.4 MP and most important, you need a wheelbarrow of AA batteries to use it for very long.So what's embarrassment worth? That's why I want to stay in the range $500 ±$200. Besides, back to my old Nikon F days, once I fitted that Macro lens, I hardly used anything else. I am not an artist!John

author: TimFox
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2022, 09:43:15 pm
content: For reasonable prices and quality on used cameras and lenses, try KEH, near Atlanta.https://www.keh.com/The only reasonably-priced Pentax DSLR that they have in stock now is a K-3 (APS-C crop frame) for about $400 (in "bargain" condition, meaning usable but with wear marks). They have several Pentax macros for $165 to $250 in "excellent" condition.I have had good luck using the 35 mm macro on APS-C to photograph CRTs on CROs and my SA.I currently use the 50 mm or 100 mm macro on full-frame for my personal documentation on project assembly, including PCBs.The main problem I have is lighting: in summer, I often use outdoor sunlight, but specular reflections off metal are always a problem.Now, I photograph flat objects (like PCBs) against a green cutting mat that has a 1/2" grid: this allows easy adjustment of the "perspective" to rectilinear to avoid distortion due to my camera not being parallel with the object, using post-processing software (Corel Paintshop in my case).

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 18, 2022, 02:47:42 pm
content: UpdateI have a workaround with my 25-year old Nikon CoolPix 990. Fashioned an adapter tube from some PVC plumbing. Attached. Focus is a little out, that can be fixed.I am still interested in opinions, but supplies in Cleveland are very low. Aside from the Canon TG-6, nothing is available. BestBuy said it had the Nikon B600 on display; it didn't.That means waiting until supplies get restocked and seeing what's still available. Nikon suspended both the B600 and A1000 because of parts shortages. Uncertain what, if anything, will replace them.John

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 21, 2022, 03:31:09 pm
content: UPDATE 2Just received a very inexpensive ($60) microscope camera by PalliPartners. I am surprised. Significantly easier to use than the Adonstar camera I got a few years ago. Also easier than fiddling with my CoolPix. It will need a taller and more stable better stand. Also will try a polarized filter for glare.As most reviewers say, not bad for the price.Here's one of my first attempts with it:

author: 48X24X48X
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2022, 12:32:11 am
content: Most modern phones today can do macro shot pretty well (those with a dedicated macro lens). Of course it would not be quality of that, say a dedicated macro lens mounted on a full frame DSLR but it's pretty good unless you sell photos for a living.

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2022, 09:42:47 pm
content: UpdateI built an adapter for the LCDmicroscope camera so I could get further away from the object. It turned out to be quite simple. The camera fit perfectly inside a 1-1/4" PVC SCH 40 pipe. That fit inside a coupler. The combined wall thickness was more than enough for a standard camera tripod mounting 1/4x20 screw. Pictures attached. Very stable -- much more so than the cheesy stand that came with it.If you have the pipe, the coupler is less than $3.00. I milled a small flat on the coupler, but sanding would work as well and may not actually be needed.I probably should paint it flat black so it will look like a $100 accessory.