1 A guide to using the Passport II Portable Imaging System Hardware setup 1.Ensure cables are connected between the Stackshot controller (right photo) and other components (a: stackshot rail, b: camera trigger, c: computer, d: power cable).2.3rd foam tray in hard storage case (photo below) (under bench) contains camera items [a: DSLR Canon EOS 6D, b: MP-E 65mm 1-5X magnification lens (usual lens used), c: wireless flash trigger, d: Canon external flashes, e: Canon 50mm macro lens (infinity 1X magnification, used for large insects), f: Tamron 1.4X extender (used to increase magnification of lenses, place between lens and camera body), g: diffuser placed around insect]. 2 3.Mount camera, with wireless flash trigger attached to hot-shoe mount, to Stackshot rail via quick release plate (photos below). 4.The camera is powered by a mains-battery adapter (right photo), which is inserted into the battery compartment of the camera. Ensure power cable is seated within groove (photos below)(circled in red) so that the lid of the battery compartment can be closed. Impt: Camera will not start unless lid is closed. 3 5.Open rubber flaps covering ports on side of camera body and attach cables (right photo)[a: camera-to-computer USB cable, b: Stackshot controller-to-camera trigger cable (refer to 1.)]. 6.Attach silicon rubber flash diffusers (stored in 4th foam tray) to external flashes (above left photo). 7.Attach external flashes to swan neck support and power cable (photo below)(a: power source, b: power source-to-flash cable, c: cold-shoe clamp). 4 8.With reference to above series of photos (clockwise from left): turn on the flash, hold down the Zoom button until screen display shows zoom and channel function. Next, hold down the Mode button until ETTL changes to M. Press the Sel/Set button once, and adjust the power of the flash using the +/- buttons. 9.Turn on the wireless flash trigger (right photo). Ensure that the Channel no. (CH) is consistent with the external flashes. 10.The wireless flash trigger is the only component of the imaging system which runs on batteries. As such, always ensure that either one of two batteries is fully charged, using the charger (stowed in left most drawer of bench). 5 Software setup 11.4 programs are used, as placed in the task bar (above photo)[a: lightroom (post processing and file format conversion), b: Zerene stacker (photo capture and stacking), c: EOS Utility (live-view and designation of photo destination, d: Digital photo professional (viewing of test photos to ensure correct exposure before proceeding with full series of photos)]. 12.Launch EOS Utility, select Preferences>Destination folder, and create a new folder in drive E:\RAW SPECIMEN IMAGES using the folder naming structure as shown in the photo below. This action directs the program to deposit photos taken by the camera into the designated folder. 6 13.Next, click on Live View Shoot. This brings up a live video feed from the camera, which is useful for precise focussing. However, do note that the physical button for live view, as found on the camera body (circled in red), has to be pressed too in order for the live video feed to function. 7 14.Launch Zerene Stacker, select Tools>StackShot. The StackShot controller is used to operate and synchronize the StackShot rail, and camera shutter (photo below)(a: moves rail back and forward, b: manually adjust camera using back/forward buttons to midpoint of rail before zeroing, c: set start position of shoot sequence, d: set end position of shoot sequence, e: launch shoot sequence). 15.The stackshot system takes a series of photos through moving unidirectionally towards the subject with each step. Thus when designating the start position using Set Start, ensure that the focal plane selected on the subject is closest to the camera. Then set the end position using Set End, at a focal plane slightly beyond the subject. 16.Before letting the shoot sequence run its course, check that exposure is acceptable/good by examining the photos in Digital Photo Professional (right photo). If need be, reposition the flash and adjust other settings first before proceeding. 8 17.After the shoot sequence has been completed, launch Lightroom . Add a new folder using the + on the left panel to import photos from the RAW SPECIMENS IMAGES folder. After the photo import, select these photos, right click and export these photos in TIFF format, to a new folder in the EXPORTED SPECIMEN IMAGES folder, using the same naming conventions as shown in the photo below. 9 18.When photo export has been completed, drag these photos from the EXPORTED SPECIMEN IMAGES folder into the left panel in Zerene Stacker. Select Stack>Align & Stack All (PMax) to begin photo stacking. When stacking has been completed, an output image will appear on the screen as well as in the bottom left panel. Select file>Save Output Image, and save image in both jpeg and Tiff format in Drive G:\ARCHIVED IMAGES folder. Make a copy of said images and email/save to thumb drive etc. Additional information on how to ensure good image quality An important determinant of image quality is the balance between F-stop number(influences depth of field) and effective resolution (high resolution = better image quality). At F13 will lead to image quality degradation. To compensate for the multiplication effect of increased magnification, the F-stop has to be lowered further with increasing magnification. A rough guide to selecting an F-stop for each magnification (1X: F9, 2X: F7.1, 3X: F6.3, 4X: F5, 5X: F3.5). -End-