Malachite on Dolomite - Mashamba West Mine, Congo (Zaire), Democratic Republic of the - 120 mm x 90 mm x 50 mm
Mineral: Malachite on Dolomite
Locality: Mashamba West Mine, Kolwezi District, Lualaba, Katanga Copper Crescent, Katanga (Shaba), Democratic Republic of the Congo (Zaire)
Dimensions: 120 mm x 90 mm x 50 mm

Description: The photo of this specimen was taken using my Canon EOS M6 Mark II camera using the photopeaking method. The method is very briefly outlined on page 222 of the most recent addition of the Advanced Users Guide for the Canon EOS M6 Mark II. The feature is activated using the Camera’s firmware functions also described on page 222. The Camera is mounted on a very stable tripod. I select Av on the ‘mode dial’ located on the top of Camera body and then select AF using the ‘Focus mode Switch’ control lever located on the rear of the Camera body. The method requires the focus ring on the lens assembly to be adjusted until the subject or a section of the subject is in focus. The point of focus is indicated by a red band of dots shown on the LCD image of the subject. With mineral photographs it is necessary to use the LCD ‘zoom’ function set to either x5 or x10 to see if a particular section of the subject is in focus. If not, the focus ring on the lens assembly is adjusted to achieve focus. Often when one portion of the image of the mineral is in focus other portions will be out of focus. This is fine, and a direct consequence of using the photopeaking method to photograph mineral specimens. Multiple photos (sometimes as many as 40 or more depending on the size of the specimen) are taken to ensure all sub-sections (front to rear and side to side) of the mineral are in focus. These sub-sections are combined as one using the relevant image enhancing software. I set the camera to take photos in both RAW mode and JPEG mode. When complete, the RAW photos are rendered using Canon’s excellent software package – Digital Photo Professional V4.18.0.0, by selecting tools and then activating the ‘Depth compositing’ function. The time to render the photos depends entirely on the number of shots taken and the style of shot in terms of resolution. For comparison purposes I also render the JPEG photos using Helicon Focus V8.1.1 software. Equipment used: CAMERA: Canon EOS M6 II, 32.5MP APS-C mirrorless with latest firmware LENS: EFM 28mm, f/3.5 Macro IS STM with lens Hood. TRIPOD: Joby Range Pod 1600 Tripod Kit ADDITIONAL: ProMaster MR1 Macro Focusing Rail