Homebrew PCBs

I came across this link awhile ago, and now I have the components to
start building it.  My idea for the project is to use it in  macro
mode for viewing SMD mounting work on a monitor.
  <http://www.dennisonbertram.com/hackmaster/2005/02/webcam-telescope.htm>

The inventor used a regular telephoto lens, but I have a macro
telephoto lens now of the correct lensmount that focuses quote
closely, yet should allow a decent working distance of the front of
the lens and the PC board.  I'm using some 1/4" x 3" birch from Home
Depot for the box.

The main issue is the webcam itself.  For the prototype, I didn't want
to sink a lot of money into one, so I bought a very basic one.  With
the software, it only does 640x480, which is a pretty small window on
my monitor.  The unmodified webcam can focus down on an SMD enough to
read the labeling, but only at a very close proximity.

I also bought a lot of high intensity white LEDs and dropping
resistors to make a ring light to use with all my SLR cameras.

Anyone else built anything like this?

Cheers,
Ted

On Saturday 20 January 2007 13:34, Ted Bruce KX4OM wrote:
> snip>
> I also bought a lot of high intensity white LEDs and dropping
> resistors to make a ring light to use with all my SLR cameras.
>
> Anyone else built anything like this?
>
> Cheers,
> Ted
>
Have you seen "Build a Ring Flash for Macro Photography" in the January, 2007 
issue of Nuts and Volts? Starting on page 46.
It might give you some ideas.
-- 
Keith Bowers - Thomasville, NC

There is a construction article on building a ring flash for
macro photography in the Jan 2007 issue of "Nuts and Volts"
magazine.

Roland F. Harriston
**********************

keith wrote:
>
> On Saturday 20 January 2007 13:34, Ted Bruce KX4OM wrote:
> > snip>
> > I also bought a lot of high intensity white LEDs and dropping
> > resistors to make a ring light to use with all my SLR cameras.
> >
> > Anyone else built anything like this?
> >
> > Cheers,
> > Ted
> >
> Have you seen "Build a Ring Flash for Macro Photography" in the 
> January, 2007
> issue of Nuts and Volts? Starting on page 46.
> It might give you some ideas.
> -- 
> Keith Bowers - Thomasville, NC
>
>  


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

On Sun, 21 Jan 2007 01:13:08 +0100, keith <kabowers@...> wrote:

>> I also bought a lot of high intensity white LEDs and dropping
>> resistors to make a ring light to use with all my SLR cameras.
>>
>> Anyone else built anything like this?
>>
>> Cheers,
>> Ted
>>
> Have you seen "Build a Ring Flash for Macro Photography" in the January,  
> 2007
> issue of Nuts and Volts? Starting on page 46.
> It might give you some ideas.
> --


One thing to consider though is color quality. I thought about using LEDs,  
and was shocked how bad the colors looked when trying a LED flashlight for  
illumination under the stereo microscope compared to the built in  
incandescent light. That quickly buried the idea of a LED light there.  
Maybe different better LEDs are an option, but mine clearly weren't.

ST