Macro First snow crystals of the 2020/21 season

First snow crystals of the 2020/21 season · **9 Likes**

Temperature was -5C this morning and a little snow coming down so I thought I'd test my 'snowcatcher' rig. These images were shot with the very inexpensive Amscope 4X microscope objective, attached to my Auto Bellows mounted on my K3.

Hopefully the cold temps will be here soon, and I can get some better crystals.

**Yaki** · 12-16-2020, 09:01 AM

Originally posted by fwwidall

You might like to check out my "Snowflakes" album on Flickr for some much better images. These were just test shots. Once we're in the deep freeze the crystals become much more symmetrical, and even more beautiful.

.

I shared a link to your Flickr album on FB for my friends to see this beauty

**fwwidall** · 12-16-2020, 10:34 AM

Originally posted by Yaki

I shared a link to your Flickr album on FB for my friends to see this beauty

I hope they enjoy them.

You might want to check out the Flickr group Awesome Snowflakes. There are some incredible images from some very talented people scattered around the globe. I find it interesting how we all came up with different techniques to try and capture this incredible beauty.

Fred.

**Yaki** · 12-16-2020, 01:21 PM

Originally posted by fwwidall

I hope they enjoy them.

You might want to check out the Flickr group Awesome Snowflakes. There are some incredible images from some very talented people scattered around the globe. I find it interesting how we all came up with different techniques to try and capture this incredible beauty.

Fred.

I will chek it wit pleasure

**Mooncatt** · 12-16-2020, 03:53 PM

I now have a new idea for a subject this winter. I only have a couple macro lenses, but yours inspired me to eagerly anticipate the next snowstorm (whenever that is).

**fwwidall** · 12-16-2020, 05:06 PM

Originally posted by Mooncatt

I now have a new idea for a subject this winter. I only have a couple macro lenses, but yours inspired me to eagerly anticipate the next snowstorm (whenever that is).

Glad to be of service

A reversed 50mm lens on either a bellows or a stack of extension tubes will give about 4X magnification which will allow you to get some great shots of snowflakes.

Have fun.....

Fred.

aitrus3 · 12-16-2020, 05:54 PM

Originally posted by fwwidall

Temperature was -5C this morning and a little snow coming down so I thought I'd test my 'snowcatcher' rig. These images were shot with the very inexpensive Amscope 4X microscope objective, attached to my Auto Bellows mounted on my K3.

Hopefully the cold temps will be here soon, and I can get some better crystals.

Ugh. So need to have it snow or clear off. This weather and grey cloud nonsense is ridiculous.
Nice shots you got!

STARHUNTER94 · 12-16-2020, 07:10 PM

Wow, your rig is super cool and I love the photos.

heinamj · 12-16-2020, 07:55 PM

That second one is amazing! And now I'm googling "Amscope 4X microscope objective"...

aitrus3 · 12-16-2020, 08:13 PM

Originally posted by fwwidall

Temperature was -5C this morning and a little snow coming down so I thought I'd test my 'snowcatcher' rig. These images were shot with the very inexpensive Amscope 4X microscope objective, attached to my Auto Bellows mounted on my K3.

Hopefully the cold temps will be here soon, and I can get some better crystals.

Ugh. So need to have it snow or clear off. This weather and grey cloud nonsense is ridiculous.
Nice shots you got!

**fwwidall** · 12-16-2020, 08:35 PM

Originally posted by heinamj

That second one is amazing! And now I'm googling "Amscope 4X microscope objective"...

There's a review over on Robert O'Toole's excellent closeuphotography.com. He gives it high marks in one of his lens tests.

It really is great value for money. I think I paid more for an RMS to M42 adapter than I did for the lens

Fred.

MarkJerling · 12-16-2020, 09:16 PM

Originally posted by fwwidall

If you're interested in the physics of snowflake creation you might want to check out a talk on YouTube by Ken Libbrecht of Caltech who studies them. Fascinating stuff.

Kenneth Libbrecht Public Lecture: The Secret Life of Snow - YouTube

Also his website SnowCrystals.com has an amazing amount of information available.

Fred.

Thanks for posting. I really enjoyed that.

**fwwidall** · 12-20-2020, 02:54 PM - **1 Like**

Looks like our temps are staying around zero for the next week so I won't be able to post any new snowflake shots for a while.

While I'm waiting for the snow you might like to view a slideshow of my images I posted on Youtube back in 2019. Its five minutes long, with music.

You Tube

Shows the wide variety of shapes the crystals can form, from tiny hexagonal plates which are around 1mm in diameter, to stellar dendrites which can get up to around 5mm across.

Fred.

Alex_Ros · 12-20-2020, 06:50 PM

OMG Nice pictures. I Loved

Benz3ne · 12-21-2020, 01:20 AM

Epic set of photos and a wonderful glimpse behind the scenes too.
Keep it going, I'll be keeping my eyes peeled!

**Michail_P** · 12-21-2020, 01:42 AM

Nice shots! I love the second. Thanks for sharing.
Interesting backstage!

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12-16-2020, 09:01 AM	#16
Yaki Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Sofia Posts: 951	Originally posted by fwwidall You might like to check out my "Snowflakes" album on Flickr for some much better images. These were just test shots. Once we're in the deep freeze the crystals become much more symmetrical, and even more beautiful. . I shared a link to your Flickr album on FB for my friends to see this beauty

12-16-2020, 10:34 AM	#17
fwwidall Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Waterloo, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 276 Original Poster	Originally posted by Yaki I shared a link to your Flickr album on FB for my friends to see this beauty I hope they enjoy them. You might want to check out the Flickr group Awesome Snowflakes. There are some incredible images from some very talented people scattered around the globe. I find it interesting how we all came up with different techniques to try and capture this incredible beauty. Fred.

12-16-2020, 01:21 PM	#18
Yaki Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Sofia Posts: 951	Originally posted by fwwidall I hope they enjoy them. You might want to check out the Flickr group Awesome Snowflakes. There are some incredible images from some very talented people scattered around the globe. I find it interesting how we all came up with different techniques to try and capture this incredible beauty. Fred. I will chek it wit pleasure

12-16-2020, 03:53 PM	#19
Mooncatt Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2020 Location: Wisconsin Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,372	I now have a new idea for a subject this winter. I only have a couple macro lenses, but yours inspired me to eagerly anticipate the next snowstorm (whenever that is).

12-16-2020, 05:06 PM	#20
fwwidall Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Waterloo, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 276 Original Poster	Originally posted by Mooncatt I now have a new idea for a subject this winter. I only have a couple macro lenses, but yours inspired me to eagerly anticipate the next snowstorm (whenever that is). Glad to be of service A reversed 50mm lens on either a bellows or a stack of extension tubes will give about 4X magnification which will allow you to get some great shots of snowflakes. Have fun..... Fred.

12-16-2020, 05:54 PM	#21
aitrus3 Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Kamloops B.C. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,432	Originally posted by fwwidall Temperature was -5C this morning and a little snow coming down so I thought I'd test my 'snowcatcher' rig. These images were shot with the very inexpensive Amscope 4X microscope objective, attached to my Auto Bellows mounted on my K3. Hopefully the cold temps will be here soon, and I can get some better crystals. Ugh. So need to have it snow or clear off. This weather and grey cloud nonsense is ridiculous. Nice shots you got!

12-16-2020, 07:10 PM	#22
STARHUNTER94 Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2019 Posts: 771	Wow, your rig is super cool and I love the photos.

12-16-2020, 07:55 PM	#23
heinamj Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Photos: Gallery Posts: 366	That second one is amazing! And now I'm googling "Amscope 4X microscope objective"...

12-16-2020, 08:13 PM	#24
aitrus3 Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Kamloops B.C. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,432	Originally posted by fwwidall Temperature was -5C this morning and a little snow coming down so I thought I'd test my 'snowcatcher' rig. These images were shot with the very inexpensive Amscope 4X microscope objective, attached to my Auto Bellows mounted on my K3. Hopefully the cold temps will be here soon, and I can get some better crystals. Ugh. So need to have it snow or clear off. This weather and grey cloud nonsense is ridiculous. Nice shots you got!

12-16-2020, 08:35 PM	#25
fwwidall Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Waterloo, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 276 Original Poster	Originally posted by heinamj That second one is amazing! And now I'm googling "Amscope 4X microscope objective"... There's a review over on Robert O'Toole's excellent closeuphotography.com. He gives it high marks in one of his lens tests. It really is great value for money. I think I paid more for an RMS to M42 adapter than I did for the lens Fred.

12-16-2020, 09:16 PM	#26
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,406	Originally posted by fwwidall If you're interested in the physics of snowflake creation you might want to check out a talk on YouTube by Ken Libbrecht of Caltech who studies them. Fascinating stuff. Kenneth Libbrecht Public Lecture: The Secret Life of Snow - YouTube Also his website SnowCrystals.com has an amazing amount of information available. Fred. Thanks for posting. I really enjoyed that.

12-20-2020, 06:50 PM	#28
Alex_Ros Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 103	OMG Nice pictures. I Loved

12-21-2020, 01:20 AM	#29
Benz3ne Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Cymru Posts: 2,356	Epic set of photos and a wonderful glimpse behind the scenes too. Keep it going, I'll be keeping my eyes peeled!

12-21-2020, 01:42 AM	#30
Michail_P Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Kalymnos Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,006	Nice shots! I love the second. Thanks for sharing. Interesting backstage!