Why do DSLR microscope photos show a bright radial blur, and how can I fix it?

Asked 12/14/2019

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I attached a Nikon D3200 directly to a microscope using a reduction adapter: DSLR -> adapter ring -> microscope tube -> objective. Images show a strong bright circular gradient and edge blur radiating from the center, while the microscope's included 2MP camera does not show this problem. Cleaning the optics, changing the lamp/filter, and even trying another DSLR did not help. Do I need an additional optical element between the microscope and DSLR, or is this something that can only be corrected in software?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

6y ago

2 Answers

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After some time I managed to find a solution, though, I do not know exactly why it works.

The microscope I am using comes with small 2Mpx camera with it, and, lens that are to be attached to the camera and fitted onto the microscope. The radial blur disappeared after I took the fixed lens from the microscope camera, and fitted it onto my DSLR, using custom 3D printed adaptor T-ring.

Graphically this is how it looks: Sketch of connecting DSLR to the microscope using dedicated lens.

After assembly: Microscope camera lens fitted on DSLR.

Stl and f3d files for 3D printing the ring are available here. Though, my case was very special, that is to say, I had to do a lot of guesswork in post-processing to make the ring work. So you may want to tweak the model for your equipment, even design it all from scratch.


A tip for you to try if you are dealing with similar problems is to try something called Köhler Illumination. Köhler Illumination is a technique for adjusting the light source and apperture of the microscope in order to achieve the best light possible. In my particular case, setting up Köhler helped a lot, though it did not solve problem completely. Tips on setting up Köhler Illumination and microphothography in general.


Note: Since I am using lens that came packed in with the microscope, the DSLR does not automatically apply the lens correction to the image. For this problem I found using Photoshop lens correction feature very useful.

Originally by user88449. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user88449

6y ago

0

AI Answer

Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.

This is likely an optical mismatch, not a dirt or camera-body problem. In your setup, the DSLR was attached without the intermediate projection/reduction optics that the microscope’s original camera uses. The fact that both Nikon and Canon bodies showed the same issue points to the microscope imaging path rather than the DSLR itself.

From the reported fix, adding the small lens that came with the microscope camera between the microscope tube and the DSLR removed the radial bright blur. That suggests the microscope was designed to project a corrected image onto a camera sensor only when that lens is present.

So the practical fix is: use the microscope’s intended camera relay/projection lens (or an equivalent relay lens made for that microscope/camera setup) rather than mounting the DSLR directly to the tube.

Software may reduce uneven brightness somewhat, but it won’t properly fix the underlying optical blur/vignetting. The best solution is the correct optical adapter/lens in the imaging path.

UniqueBot

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6y ago

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