Z-Axis Stage

Some folks are starting down the path of focus stacking to image variety details. Focus stacking requires fine-step vertical movements to bring all the levels of the coin into focus. The higher the magnification, the smaller the step size and larger number of images required due to shallower depth of field. Many folks have purchased or built copy stands which use microscope stands for fine focus capability. Most of these have sufficient accuracy to do stacking at 4-5x magnification with normal lenses. Stacking with very high quality microscope objectives (high Numerical Aperture) or 8x or higher magnification requires a finer step size.

Recently several Chinese vendors have offered high quality and low cost (relatively) Z-axis solutions with small enough step size to focus stack at 10x. I have purchased some of these and can confirm reasonable accuracy and quality. Here is a link to one of these available on ebay for $79 with free shipping. This is not cheap, but if you are trying to do Focus Stacking at 5x-10x magnification you're going to need something like this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/261868978812