Looking at a Peacock Feather: 4x, 5x, and 10x Magnification
Recently, I set out on an exploration of a peacock feather, a subject known for its iridescent beauty but also for its incredible microscopic structures.
What started as a simple 4x magnification focus stack quickly turned into an ambitious deep dive, pushing my gear and techniques further to 5x and finally 10x magnification. Each step brought new challenges, but also rewarding glimpses into the unseen world of this intricate feather.
The First Attempt – 4x Magnification
I began with a relatively moderate magnification: 4x. The goal was to capture a clean, well-stacked image that would set the stage for higher magnifications.
A close-up of a peacock feather, revealing the intricate microscopic structure responsible for its shimmering colors. Captured at 4x magnification.
Setup:
- Camera: Nikon D850
- Lens: Laowa 25mm f/2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro Lens
- Magnification: 4x
- Step Size: 0.095mm
- Lighting: Adaptalux system with three diffused arms + vellum paper wrapped around the specimen to soften the light.
- Aperture: f/4
- Shutter Speed: 0.5 sec
- ISO: 160
- Live View Silent Mode to eliminate vibrations
Post Processing:
- Adjustments made in Lightroom (curves, minor exposure tweaks)
- Images stacked in Zerene Stacker (DMAP method)
- Final refinements in PhotoAI for sharpening
Going Deeper – 5x Magnification
Encouraged by the 4x results, I decided to increase the magnification to 5x. At this level, light loss becomes more noticeable, and depth of field shrinks further.
A close-up of a peacock feather, revealing the intricate microscopic structure responsible for its shimmering colors. Captured at 5x magnification.
Updated Setup:
- Lens: Same Laowa 25mm Ultra Macro
- Magnification: 5x
- Step Size: 0.075mm (smaller increments for finer detail)
- ISO Increased to 640 to accommodate for light loss
- Lighting: Same Adaptalux setup with vellum diffusion
Post Processing:
- Stacked in Zerene Stacker (DMAP method)
- Additional exposure refinements in Lightroom
- Final sharpening in PhotoAI
The 5x image brought out even more texture in the feather’s barbules, revealing delicate structures and the beginnings of an almost scale-like pattern. But this only made me more curious—what would I find if I pushed even further?
The Ultimate Challenge – 10x Magnification
Now fully invested in this experiment, I swapped my lens for something even more powerful: the Laowa Aurogon with a 10x extension. This setup required precise adjustments, as even the slightest vibrations or miscalculations could ruin the stack.
A close-up of a peacock feather, revealing the intricate microscopic structure responsible for its shimmering colors. Captured at 10x magnification.
Setup:
- Lens: Laowa Aurogon with 10x extension
- Numerical Aperture (NA): 0.28
- Magnification: 10x
- Step Size: 0.005mm (extremely fine increments for stacking)
- Lighting: Same three-arm Adaptalux system with vellum diffusion
Camera Settings:
- Shutter Speed: 0.4 sec
- ISO: 640
Post Processing:
- Stacked in Zerene Stacker (DMAP method)
- Noise reduction and sharpening in PhotoAI
At 10x magnification, the feather transformed into an entirely new landscape. The fine barbules, which looked like simple filaments at 4x, now revealed complex microstructures. Light interacted with them differently, making some areas appear metallic, others soft and almost organic.
Reflections on the Process
Each magnification level told a different story. At 4x, the feather’s familiar beauty was apparent. At 5x, it started to feel more like an intricate biological structure. But at 10x, it became something entirely new—a microscopic world hidden in plain sight.