Selecting a microscope

[jason2459]

Why don’t u call a science focused university and see their thoughts on what scope U should get

Zeiss, Olympus, or Nikon would do.

 

[mcarroll]

Why don’t u call a science focused university and see their thoughts on what scope U should get

That's too long of a list of people to potentially annoy! But a good idea anyway. I did touch base with someone at the SRAC about their Amyloodinium PDF once and they were very helpful.

I may do that!

 

[mcarroll]

Zeiss, Olympus, or Nikon would do.

....just tack on a zero (or two) to any price I've considered paying, right?

 

[mcarroll]

40X-1000X Student Monocular Compound Microscope LED Light Run On Battery


$70 –XG619LB




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40X-1000X Lab Binocular Biological Compound Microscope

$189 – M82E




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40X-2000X Binocular Compound LED Microscope, Reversed Nosepiece

$259.99 – M8211




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For a little more money, you can add cameras and other extras to each of these, but these seem like the basics.

 

[BCSreef]

....just tack on a zero (or two) to any price I've considered paying, right?

Yes, you are correct on pricing! Add a zero or two.

It's a real tough question regarding what to buy. Like many things, you get what you pay for. Should you buy the Ford Focus or the Ferrari? What do need it for? I have bought mostly Nikon & American Optical for my labs. We needed top quality imaging, flexibility ruggedness and minimal eyestrain. Some of these scopes were used 40+ hours a week. As reefers, we don't need all those qualities. Personally, if I were in the market, I would go with a basic binocular or tri (400X, maybe 1,000X) that has the capabilities to be upgraded. Maybe in the $150 to $300 range. Similar to what Jason has. From what you describe as your needs/wishes, that should fit your needs/budget to start with. I have similar needs and I only yank out my ancient scopes once a year or so. I couldn't justify spending much more for my home scope. I never need to go above 400X at home and I don't wish to photograph.

From the comments of others, I think the Amscopes sound like good values for hobbyists.

Hope that helps!

 

[mcarroll]

Yes, you are correct on pricing! Add a zero or two.

It's a real tough question regarding what to buy. Like many things, you get what you pay for. Should you buy the Ford Focus or the Ferrari? What do need it for? I have bought mostly Nikon & American Optical for my labs. We needed top quality imaging, flexibility ruggedness and minimal eyestrain. Some of these scopes were used 40+ hours a week. As reefers, we don't need all those qualities. Personally, if I were in the market, I would go with a basic binocular or tri (400X, maybe 1,000X) that has the capabilities to be upgraded. Maybe in the $150 to $300 range. Similar to what Jason has. From what you describe as your needs/wishes, that should fit your needs/budget to start with. I have similar needs and I only yank out my ancient scopes once a year or so. I couldn't justify spending much more for my home scope. I never need to go above 400X at home and I don't wish to photograph.

From the comments of others, I think the Amscopes sound like good values for hobbyists.

Hope that helps!

It does! I feel good about the first step I just took.....for $12 I figure as long as it isn't broken it'll be worth the purchase (I have a 4 year old!):



Yoptote Science Microscope Kit for Children 100x 400x 1200x Refined Scientific Instruments Toy Set for Early Education

...and at $12 it'll leave plenty of budget for the REAL scope after I get a little experience under my belt.

 

[jason2459]

lol @ the frequently bought together option

 

[BCSreef]

I think you made the best move, especially with a 4 year-old! If you and the little one enjoy and use it, you can always upgrade at a later date.

 

[mcarroll]

lol @ the frequently bought together option

Gotta love Amazon, right?

The best "accidental find" so far while microscope shopping on Amazon so far:

Thank goodness it's "ready to use"!!

 

[mcarroll]

My scope from post #66 arrived today, along with the smartphone mount.

The scope is SMALL but it seems to work really well on 100x, 400x and 1200x judging from the quick test I did with the pre-made slide it came with.

@saltyfilmfolks I got the macro lens for my phone too....pretty sweet from initial tests, especially for the price! (Got fish-eye and super-wide lenses in the set too.) I guess this must be at least similar to what the USB microscope experience is like.

More to come....pics!!!!

 

[mcarroll]

So here's what I ended up with:

 

[mcarroll]

Here is the smart phone mount connected to the microscope.

 

[mcarroll]

And here are a couple of videos (any idea what the critter is?):

 

[mcarroll]

$12 for a real, functional (toy) microscope.

$28 for a smartphone mount + bluetooth shutter release.

For the price, I feel silly for not having a scope like this around 10 years ago....or whenever "toy" scopes got so cheap!

I'm now of the opinion that everyone who has a reef should have at least a lux meter and microscope (each about $12) as basic equipment. It seems crazy that we all don't given the amount of problems each tool could potentially solve!

 

[mcarroll]

I got some decent views out of a naked, wet slide, BTW, but everything is very jiggly – I suppose that's one reason that cover slips exist. But I don't have any.

Can someone suggest some other basic supplies I'll need to do this better?

Please be specific when possible.....link me!

Cover slips?
Maybe a better dropper? (using the one from my refractometer)
Maybe more slides? (it came with 4)

Anything else?

 

[brett_schn]

I just wash off my slides

 

[NCreefguy]

And here are a couple of videos (any idea what the critter is?):

Hey you've got nematodes too! I believe taricha said that most of us do.

Can someone suggest some other basic supplies I'll need to do this better?

Please be specific when possible.....link me!

Cover slips?
Maybe a better dropper? (using the one from my refractometer)
Maybe more slides? (it came with 4)

Anything else?

I ordered this when I got my scope just to have sort of an all in one kit. You may find one a little cheaper though.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N6L3SZV/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[jason2459]

I got some decent views out of a naked, wet slide, BTW, but everything is very jiggly – I suppose that's one reason that cover slips exist. But I don't have any.

Can someone suggest some other basic supplies I'll need to do this better?

Please be specific when possible.....link me!

Cover slips?
Maybe a better dropper? (using the one from my refractometer)
Maybe more slides? (it came with 4)

Anything else?

You definitely want cover slips and I always mount wet. I also just use a 3ml dropper to pull a sample out of the tank and a few times plastic tweezers. Be warned the cover slips are sharp and can be dificult to make sure you have a single one. They can stick together.

Keep your lens, slips, and slides clean
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001...dpPl=1&dpID=51y3xmSsd1L&ref=plSrch&th=1&psc=1

Slides and slips
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002...cover+slip&dpPl=1&dpID=31f4763nXYL&ref=plSrch

And sime rubbing alcohol. I like alcohol wipes as well.

 

[Monkeynaut]

@jason2459 or anyone else that feels qualified to answer, I just got off the phone with Amscope and they said the microscope is only whatever the objective multiplier is when using the camera. So I took a video of phytoplankton on my microscope with a 40x objective and the camera that came with it. According to Amscope that was only a 40x video and not the 1000x I thought it was.

So was the Rep I talked to correct or does the camera have a magnifying lens on it similar to a regular eye piece?

 

[jason2459]

@jason2459 or anyone else that feels qualified to answer, I just got off the phone with Amscope and they said the microscope is only whatever the objective multiplier is when using the camera. So I took a video of phytoplankton on my microscope with a 40x objective and the camera that came with it. According to Amscope that was only a 40x video and not the 1000x I thought it was.

So was the Rep I talked to correct or does the camera have a magnifying lens on it similar to a regular eye piece?

What are you mounting the camera with? Resolution?

Like my usb camera has a .5x adapter and is 5mp 2592x1944 . It's somewhere between using my 10x and 25x eye pieces and to me is closer to the 25x.


But I've always referenced the magnification like a 10x as 10x is just easy to multiply by. [emoji4]