Random stylus shots, playing with camera

[speedle]

After getting inspired by this thread over at vinylengine

http://www.vinylengine.com/turntable_forum/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=56314

I decided, even though I know absolutely nothing about cameras or photography, to get our camera from work and experiment. These are a few (out of over 200 shots I had to take!) of the better results. They are a Audio Technica AT11E .4 x .7 elliptical and another stylus I had around. I realize they kinda suck, but I thought it was cool they even turned out at all!

We should have a continuing thread for stylus pics!

 

[dynamic73]

Nice pics and very cool shots of the stylus. What camera did you use?

 

[wualta]

Yeah! That thing has potential!

 

[weverb]

Those don't suck. Here are a couple of mine.

 

[91r100gs]

Did you try any frontal shots?

 

[speedle]

The camera is a Canon Eos Rebel T2i. I used the hand held compound lens technique that is described in the thread I referenced, but set on the clothes dryer for more stability. I've got to believe that if one had any idea about photography other than just clicking the shutter button, excellent results can be gotten from this method. I'll try some more next week when I get back to town.

 

[Pio1980]

Good, you can look at the de-kinking job I did on the 8MZ stylus. It's not perfect but it is perfectly usable, I'm sure DaveyW could have done better but I have other projects better for his skills.
A fellow AKer generously provided it to me playable after he straightened the cant to correct snagging damage.

 

[speedle]

Yes, very much so! You can see the very small bit of kink left in that third picture, and the very slight departure from true in the fourth one. Fantastic, considering! I really need to figure out how to use this method, there are things to learn about diamonds if we can only see the details. With 18 megapixels, there ought to be some room for improvement.

 

[wualta]

Which two primes (ideally) are you using?

 

[speedle]

Primes?

 

[wualta]

Yes, single-focal-length lenses like the guy in the linked thread was using. Are you using two zooms?

 

[speedle]

OH! Yes, in fact I am. I didn't even realize there was a difference. I'm sure that, plus a multitude of other factors, explains alot!

 

[wualta]

Well, it might reduce the quality you can get, but not all that much, from what I can tell in the photos so far. Mostly the trick is keeping everything still and focusing critically and precisely on the thing of interest. Is autofocus still working with this setup?

 

[speedle]

Yes it is, but only because I don't know how (yet) to completely turn it off. I plan (when I get back from my trip) on actually reading the manual (!) to the camera, and possibly buying a coupling ring for the two lenses. That will eliminate at least one variable.

 

[wualta]

My Rebel is an old 350D (aka "XT"), but there should still be a switch on the lens that lets you turn off autofocus. Then the trick becomes trying to focus with that dark pentamirror finder Canon gives you on the Rebel.

I hasten to point out that I was never a big macro guy, but I do remember a thing or two about cameras, so at least we can get the basics squared away. Have a good trip and we'll pick up again when you return.
.

 

[Pio1980]

Yes, very much so! You can see the very small bit of kink left in that third picture, and the very slight departure from true in the fourth one. Fantastic, considering! I really need to figure out how to use this method, there are things to learn about diamonds if we can only see the details. With 18 megapixels, there ought to be some room for improvement.

BTW, have you played it yet?

 

[speedle]

Soon!

 

[weverb]

It sort of works with point and shoot cameras too. Not as good as your shots. I was able to use a Sony Cybershot and an old 35mm Pentax 50mm lens I had in the closet.

 

[speedle]

Very nice! I should try that with my wife's phone too then, ha!

 

[cosmoline]

Speedle,
Thanks for the link on the camera lens macro technique. I used an 80mm lens to look at my Signet and clean it. I posted some pics the other day and now that I've cleaned the stylus I can't wait to take some new photos.

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