3D printing converter & 4x microscope objective delivers impressive macro shots for $25: Digital Photography Review

Do you love macro photography but find that traditional macro lenses are very short? Or, you just want to try taking close-ups without paying for it? Nicholas Sherlock One 3D printing adapter for using 4x . microscope objectives on a Sony mirrorless camera or a Canon EF-mount DSLR. Better yet, you can find the necessary microscope objective on Amazon for only $23.3D Printing Adapter, has 3D printer ready files available for Free download through Thingiverse, requires about 45g black PETG filament, which costs about $1.

Sherlock tells us that adaptive microscope objectives are very thin and light, especially compared to traditional camera lenses. You can easily shoot with just one hand, which can be useful when taking close-ups, allowing you to free your hands to stabilize the subject.

Sherlock designed two adapters. One is for APS-C cameras and the other is for full-frame cameras. The APS-C design includes a detachable hose segment. Sherlock writes, ‘For objectives that produce a sufficiently large image circle, this removal of the central tube allows you to reduce magnification and focus at longer distances (for the 4x objective, I did tested reducing this magnification from 4x to 2.75x and increasing the working distance from about 28 to 31mm). ‘

The objective Sherlock uses has a nominal aperture of F4, which is an effective aperture of F20 at 4x magnification. This means you will need to shoot in very bright light at high ISO or use flash. When working on a DSLR, the effective aperture will make the optical viewfinder appear very dark, so that’s something to consider.

If you want to try Nicholas Sherlock’s project for yourself, visit his Thingverse page for more information. A compatible microscope objective is available at Amazon. You can see more pictures of the setup and sample shots here.

If you want to try another Sherlock project, he’s also created a homemade 3D printed 300mm extension tube that lets you shoot 5x macro. You can learn about that project in network coverage.

Image credits: All images courtesy of Nicholas Sherlock, used with permission