My lenses need glasses to capture edges

[scottc3]

My budget does not allow for the purchase of another lens for 1:1, so I am looking for folks that sharpen, and use magnification adapters they are satisfied with (lens, extensions, or combinations), for any of the following lenses to capture edges? I have tried all three of the following lenses, none of which focus close enough that I have been willing to share on the forum. Although the Nikon and Minolta images sure are nice!
With stills, and 1080 video, my goal is to see the burr, primary and secondary bevel, and scratch patterns for training, learning, and sharing fun.

Sony NEX-5R (16MB) with the following three lenses: Nikon 105 mm 2.5 manual; Minolta 50 mm 1.4 manual; Sony kit glass 24-55 mm ~3.4-6.x. The lenses have a true focal length of 1.5 times stated length.

 

[Jason B.]

Put a 30x loupe in front of a camera phone.

It will yield pictures like this,

 

[FK]

Best you can do with your equipment.

Nikon 105mm on camera body,,, add (with adaptor) Sony 24-55mm,, at 24mm setting,,, this will give you 4:1 and with crop of image may be what you are seeking.

Regards,
FK

 

[Navin_R_Johnson]

What magnification do you want to get. The 50mm reverse mounted will get you 1:1. Adapters to reverse mount are inexpensive, compared to other options.

Next best bet might be the 105mm if you can find a good diopter at a reasonable cost.

The zoom will be near useless for macro.

 

[scottc3]

I never even thought of turning a lens around, or stacking! that's amazing, I mean 4 to 1 wow!
looks like I can get Vivitar diopters as a kit at +1, +2, +4 and +10 along with a couple of extensions on the cheap.
Only dumb phones so I'm out of luck unless I could hold a 30x loop and find focus with the nex...
with your ideas, and my Google fu looks like I can get from 1:1 all the way to 10:1 with my glass, but I suspect around 3:1 will look good enough for edges.
thanks guys

 

[Navin_R_Johnson]

with your ideas, and my Google fu looks like I can get from 1:1 all the way to 10:1 with my glass, but I suspect around 3:1 will look good enough for edges.
thanks guys

As you increase magnification your lens gets longer from extensions and diopters and your focus point moves closer to the film plane. At a certain point you'll find the focus point is behind the front element of the lens. With what you have available 3:1 will be a stretch.

FWIW, Here is one of my photos at around 2:1. Note you can make out the compound eye even in this low res copy, the zoomed in original file shows way more detail. 1:1 should be more than enough for your purposes.

 

[scottc3]

a face only a mother could love… great pic!
1:1 should be more than enough for your purposes.
That will be better for keeping light loss to a minimum. Ive got an old Bogan tripod with a ball head to keep steady.
thx

 

[scottc3]

Wow! nice macro photo slide show Navin!