microscope

[Wiz]

hey guys, I was thinking about getting a microscope so that I can see the tiny things in my water and get a better look at this flatworm that I have. I was wondering how many of you actually use microscopes? Is it possible to get one that takes pictures of what you're looking at? And what are the price ranges of these things? What is the biggest bang for the buck the best microscope for the cheapest price?

 

[hart24601]

I use high end microscopes for work, but there are some affordable ones on amazon. Just depends on $$ limit. Now do you want a scope that that can only see really small things on a slide - microorganisms, or you want to see larger things around ant to pinhead size? They are two different scopes to see both things. I think stereo scopes to look at larger organisms are more interesting - can look at insects and other critters in amazing detail, with a compound microscope you are limited to very small things that can be hard to see without staining the slide to see contrast.

 

[hart24601]

What are the differences between stereo and compound microscopes? | MicrobeHunter Microscopy Magazine

 

[Wiz]

I use high end microscopes for work, but there are some affordable ones on amazon. Just depends on $$ limit. Now do you want a scope that that can only see really small things on a slide - microorganisms, or you want to see larger things around ant to pinhead size? They are two different scopes to see both things. I think stereo scopes to look at larger organisms are more interesting - can look at insects and other critters in amazing detail, with a compound microscope you are limited to very small things that can be hard to see without staining the slide to see contrast.

I would like to see things such as very very small flat worms or pods or things that you can see with the eye but not well

 

[Wiz]

I would also love to be able to take pictures of what I see

 

[KorD]

It is very possible.. I did the same thing last year.. I took the pictures with my cell phone
First picture was take somewhere around X240
second one was around X650

 

[Wiz]

What zoom x should I be looking for?

 

[reefwiser]

http://www.ogles.info/#!home/mainPage

This is a great way to view things in your aquarium.

 

[hart24601]

A stereo scope would probably be what you are after then. These look good, there are others that have built in cameras but you can take photos of the eyepiece too.


http://www.amazon.com/AmScope-SE306R-P20-Forward-Mounted-Microscope-Magnification/dp/B005APM5C6/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1421533080&sr=8-4&keywords=stereo+scope&pebp=1421533117756&peasin=B005APM5C6

http://www.amazon.com/AmScope-SE306R-AZ-E1-Forward-Mounted-Microscope-Magnification/dp/B0080IH1I8/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1421533206&sr=8-6&keywords=stereo+scope+camera

 

[KorD]

The zoom depends on what you really want to see.. The pictures I took were of a critter no bigger then a head of a pin and I was lucky to only see it in my tank when I turned the water off and saw the pod moving through the water column.

I just used a basic microscope you could find in a chemistry or biology lab.
I think the max was a x650

http://www.amazon.com/AmScope-M100C...TF8&qid=1421597364&sr=8-9&keywords=microscope

 

[Wiz]

I was looking at on that is 35x wi th a usb to take pics. 35x I take it is not strong enough? Don't wanna see one cells. Just tiny pods and worms and stuff

 

[hart24601]

I would try and find one with a bit more power. 80x total would be nice. I think there are quite a few with 80x - 4x objective and 20x mag. Something like the link here is nice, has upper and lower lighting.

AmScope SE306R-AZ-E2 Digital Forward-Mounted Binocular Stereo Microscope, WF10x and WF20x Eyepieces, 20X/40X/80X Magnification, 2X and 4X Objectives, Upper and Lower Halogen Lighting, Reversible Black/White Stage Plate, Arm Stand, 120V, Includes 2MP

 

[Squishie89]

I have this microscope- Amazon.com: BARSKA Digital Microscope with 3.5 Screen: Sports & Outdoors
Pros- Screen to see what you are looking at, able to capture images and video. Cons- Does not have a slide mover like typical scopes so you have to manually move the slide around, feels cheap.
I have found most things I put under the scope are a bit big to being looking at, now that could be my inexperience of using a microscope however.

I LOVE this thing- Easy Macro Cell Lens Band - The Photojojo Store! I use it to look at pods/critters on the glass and in the sand bed against the glass or at other things.



(I am not 100% sure I took these photos with the macro band or this, but they are almost the same thing, band is MUCH easier to use however)