Camera Rail Microphotography / MicroVideo setup from old DSLR

thingiverse

This is a microscope / microvideo rig for any DSLR. I took an old Costco DSLR and added a macro ring spacer, a long focal lens, a thread converter from 58mm to RMS (microscope lens). You can read more about how to do that here: http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12147 Once I did that I needed a way to keep the whole system stable, and that's where this thing build comes into importance. Everything is built on standard 15mm camera rails on standard 60mm spacing so it's all compatible with other camera accessories. The elements here attach the camera, support the long lens stack, and provides a tripod fit sticking out of the bottom at a location of your choosing (I put it at the center of gravity). This provides a nice stable and steady system for microscopic photography or videography. I can now pick it up and carry it around with all the parts attached. The videos are also now much more stable. I get one micron per pixel resolution at 1/40,000 sec per frame video (60 frames per second). The whole system costs about 100x less that commercial systems with similar advertised specs. The lens support and camera quick attach modules are from this awesome thing: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1860391 15mm camera rail tubes are available on Amazon or elsewhere pretty cheap. I use aluminum as the carbon fiber ones split and shed fibers if the fit gets too tight.