I'm trying to buy a pair of cameras and a bunch of corresponding accessories for a research project. I'll be buying a pair of identical cameras that need to be triggered electronically (IR can't be used because of some other optical instruments I'm using). Resolution isn't really an issue - anything above 4 MP or so is running up against the diffraction limit because of the object size.
I set up a couple of similar systems for other labs previously, but I had to use their equipment they had lying around (both Nikons). Thus, using Nikon stuff would be the least effort, but I'm not terribly attached to it. I'd like to spend $2500-$5000. The problems I'm running into are that Nikon doesn't list some of the accessories I need (e.g. PB-6 bellows) on their website anymore, and I'll be ordering using a university PO, so I can't buy from a minor vendor or B&M shop.
I previously achieved electronic triggering by snipping some MC-30 remote trigger cables and hooking them up to a digital output with a transistor so that the shutter was open while the bit was set. I used the bellows to allow suitable magnification, which can vary somewhat. A lens solution is probably feasible, but I think the bellows give the flexibility I would like. I would also like a flash with very low duration (e.g. 1/40,000 s FWHM is probably fine), and one that can recycle very rapidly (<1 s) and use AC power is ideal, but I haven't found that yet.
So, with all of that out of the way, here is what I have so far, all Nikon because that's what I'm most familiar with:
Does anyone have any suggestions regarding another make of camera that will work in this price range or where I can buy all of this stuff in one go? Thanks in advance.
I set up a couple of similar systems for other labs previously, but I had to use their equipment they had lying around (both Nikons). Thus, using Nikon stuff would be the least effort, but I'm not terribly attached to it. I'd like to spend $2500-$5000. The problems I'm running into are that Nikon doesn't list some of the accessories I need (e.g. PB-6 bellows) on their website anymore, and I'll be ordering using a university PO, so I can't buy from a minor vendor or B&M shop.
I previously achieved electronic triggering by snipping some MC-30 remote trigger cables and hooking them up to a digital output with a transistor so that the shutter was open while the bit was set. I used the bellows to allow suitable magnification, which can vary somewhat. A lens solution is probably feasible, but I think the bellows give the flexibility I would like. I would also like a flash with very low duration (e.g. 1/40,000 s FWHM is probably fine), and one that can recycle very rapidly (<1 s) and use AC power is ideal, but I haven't found that yet.
So, with all of that out of the way, here is what I have so far, all Nikon because that's what I'm most familiar with:
Code:
Item Part # Price per Quantity Sum
Camera Body D300S $1,700.00 2 $3,400.00
Remote Trigger Cable MC-30 $100.00 2 $200.00
Remote Flash Cable SC-29 $95.00 1 $95.00
Flash Speedgun SB-900 $495.00 1 $495.00
AC Adapter EH-5A AC $50.00 2 $100.00
Lensing Bellows Bellows ? 2 ?
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