Need suggestions on how to photograph rifle bores

[RBruce]

I've seen pictured of rifle bores that are clear and chow the rifling well. I've tried many ways, but have been unable to get my camera to focus correctly. I would appreciate any suggestion on how to solve this problem. TIA

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[Patrick Chadwick]

I also have this problem. I curse the invention of digital cameras that ONLY have automatic focus! If you can, switch off automatic mode and switch your camera to manual focus. If it does not have a manual focus option, focus on the foresight, if the focusing automatic can "grab" it. If not, then set up the barrel with something to the side and about an inch back from the muzzle on which the camera can focus. A book cover is good. Then arrange the shot so that the cameras focuses on the print or foresight, but the muzzle is still in the shot. Afterwards, crop the photo file on your PC so that the muzzle is the main object.

[jmoore]

Patrick Chadwick's method is my method. I turn on the "macro/ flower" feature on the auto focus camera and make sure there's a large something in the focal plane in which I intend to shoot. I also enlarge the shot afterwards in the camera before downloading it to the photo hosting site (Photobucket, in this case.)

The beauty of the digital camera is that you can take LOTS of shots and discard the bulk of them with no dramas or expense. But eeven after culling it seems like there's a bunch! -Or not enough- or both at the same time....

Here's an old, crude, but obvious example (not muzzle, but breech that I kept the pre-cropped version- it may be "pre-in-camera-enlargement", though.





Oblique muzzle shot done by pulling the camera back ~1/2" before shooting but after focus on the background.:



Those examples came to mind first. Probably a bore shot somewhere in the albums, but the idea is the same.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Thanks for the hints. I would love to see a couple of shots of the book you are using to focus with.

[jmoore]

I would love to see a couple of shots of the book you are using to focus with.

If I can find it! Moving stuff about and building more shelves this year. But right now there's lots of piles to be sorted, again.

[muffett.2008]

Gave it a quick go this a.m. Still not sure what settings were when I took this one.

Attachment 35208
Normally inspecting with a micro camera, it only sees little bits at a time.

Attachment 35209

[jmoore]

I need to figure out how to hook my camera to this:





Not that a pretty bore will always shoot (quite the opposite, in fact), but the scary bores that DO shoot well would be fun to display.

But the video monitor of muffet.2008's above would likely be TOO entertaining!

[Vincent]

I use a cheap portable bore-scope if I want to have a good look.

Attachment 35221

It takes pictures, but they don't come out so hot.

Attachment 35222
Attachment 35223

[jmoore]

I use a cheap portable bore-scope if I want to have a good look.

Attachment 35221

It takes pictures, but they don't come out so hot.

Attachment 35222
Attachment 35223

More details please! I'd like to have one that folk could borrow. The Hawkeye is a bit delicate (and expensive) for the usual ham-fisted lout.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

If I can find it! Moving stuff about and building more shelves this year. But right now there's lots of piles to be sorted, again.

Know that feeling well.