Selecting a microscope

[mcarroll]

Option 1 would be just fine to get a basic id of most pests in our tanks.

This was my first microscope. Still have it. Just took this picture recently.

My second microscope was a basic tungsten one up to 800x. So slightly better. I used it up until it finally broke and I got that one linked above.

You kinda went #1, #3, #5 then, eh?

And #5 has a NICE camera, as well as mechanical stage and iris light conntrol as "add ons" right?

 

[tigé21v]

I recently picked up one of these
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009VUPIKM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Honestly, I'm still trying to figure how to use it. Not sure what all the knobs are for, but they do make a difference in viewing the objects.
Mine came with two sets of eyepieces, a 10x and a WF 25x. I seem to have found myself putting one of each lens in each optic holder and using the scope in a monocular fashion as opposed to binocular. I think it may have something to do with my old eyes, but it seems to be hard for me to get a "centered" view in a binocular mode. One of the side notes on using it in this setup is you have a couple duplicates of power as you move up in magnification. Sometimes, depending on the subject being viewed, this turns out to be a convenient benefit because the overlaps of the same power magnification will be brighter through the 10x and dimmer through the 25x.
The one thing I find I appreciate immensely is the x/y axis controls to move the slide (whatever that feature is called). It makes it very easy to track a moving object , even at higher magnification.
I do wish it had a better fine focus control. It seems like I can feel a little "slop" that makes it hard to really focus in at higher powers.
The camera that comes with seems ok. That said, it is the only scope camera I've ever owned.
One thing to remember (that I didn't). Many of the scopes do NOT come with slides. So, after getting my scope, I had to sit on my hands for another two days waiting on slides to arrive in the mail.

 

[jason2459]

Having the Mechanical stage is the number one thing I like most over my previous microscopes. Next is the iris and condenser. Being able to use the higher powered lens, having a condenser I can bring right up close to the sample, and close up the iris with out turning down the light source brightness really raises the contrast and brings out some details.

After using the microscope I have now I would get it again.

This would be the most basic scope I would get which has all kinds of upgrades you can do at any time later and uses a common DIN lens mount.
https://www.amazon.com/OMAX-Trinocu...1&sr=8-15&keywords=omax+trinocular+microscope

If optical quality was the first thing to be important then I would skip right to getting this as my base and upgrade from here. It uses an infinity correct lens and need to watch what lenses you get that need to meet that spec. It also comes with a nicer plan objective which is better optical quality then the achromatic over the above option. But you can see the price reflects that as well.
https://www.amazon.com/OMAX-Trinocu...ords=omax+trinocular+microscope+plan+infinity

But with the first one I listed you can always upgrade the objectives to plan and get phase contrast kits and either a dedicated top mount usb camera or your own DSLR with a special mount like a T or C -mount.

What I want to get which I have that first microscope linked above.

Phase Contrast kit
http://www.microscopenet.com/microscope-accessories-phase-contrast-kits-c-89_68.html

Epi-Fluorescence kit
http://www.microscopenet.com/microscope-accessories-epifluorescence-kits-c-89_67.html

A set of nicer Plan objectives (DIN standard)
http://www.microscopenet.com/plan-achromatic-objective-compound-microscopes-p-316.html
+
http://www.microscopenet.com/plan-achromatic-objective-compound-microscopes-p-319.html

And the faster Camera (usb 3.0 and Frame speed: 5.6fps at 4912x3684, 18.1fps at 2456x1842, 32.2fps at 1228x922)
http://www.microscopenet.com/omax-1...alibration-slide-windowsmaclinux-p-11113.html

I really like having the dedicated USB Camera. For one it's dedicated and I never remove it so less need to clean it. It really has a pretty good sensor even the 5mp camera I got which picks up images well in low light high contrast. It also came with some software that I really like and as mentioned above helps a lot to compensate for not having a phase contrast setup.

This is the camera that came with my kit
http://www.microscopenet.com/omax-5...alibration-slide-windowsmaclinux-p-10006.html

The image resolution is nice but the USB 2.0 speed is lacking when trying to watch some really quick critters like some quick moving flagellated protozoans.
And to try and get the frame speeds up to keep up with those little guys reduces the resolution: 5fps at 2592x1944, 18fps at 1280x960, 60fps at 640x480

 

[mcarroll]

speed is lacking when trying to watch some really quick critters

I dunno where I read it now, but supposedly there's a slide additive that'll slow them down for you. Have you heard of that/know anything about using it in our world?

Can't remember the name either....I can only remember that it had a semi-cheezy name like "CritterSlowM" or "QuikGoSlo" etc.

 

[jason2459]

I dunno where I read it now, but supposedly there's a slide additive that'll slow them down for you. Have you heard of that/know anything about using it in our world?

Can't remember the name either....I can only remember that it had a semi-cheezy name like "CritterSlowM" or "QuikGoSlo" etc.

Methyl Cellulose solutions.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B071...&keywords=methylcellulose+solution+microscope

But if you're collection includes a lot of debris or algae they tend to stay in certain areas. I like observing their more natural patterns and movements.

If you don't have a lot of debris in the sample you can add some with cotton balls or swabs.
http://www.greatscopes.com/act017.htm

 

[mcarroll]

This would be the most basic scope I would get which has all kinds of upgrades you can do at any time later and uses a common DIN lens mount.
https://www.amazon.com/OMAX-Trinocu...1&sr=8-15&keywords=omax+trinocular+microscope

I like!

Similar to the B100 series from AmScope.....think I read a review that compared them both favorably. I think the Omax got the nod on quality but value went to Amscope.

 

[mcarroll]

Battle of the Microscopes: AmScope vs. Omax Compound Microscope Comparison

Is the lack of a Seidentopf better or worse than the sliding head?

 

[jason2459]

Just two different style heads. Omax also offers the same style head. The sliding in and out took a bit getting used to for me but seems to fit my kids better.

 

[tigé21v]

@jason2459, do you know if anyone offers an objective between 60 and 100 that would fit on an AmScope? I'd like the higher magnification, but with out the oil immersion if possible.
Also, are there eyepieces greater than 25x?
TIA

 

[jason2459]

@jason2459, do you know if anyone offers an objective between 60 and 100 that would fit on an AmScope? I'd like the higher magnification, but with out the oil immersion if possible.
Also, are there eyepieces greater than 25x?
TIA

There are 60x and 100x spring only. I got an amscope 60x s on sale and its ok. I might still get the Omax 60x s as I find the objectives that came with my Omax to be clearer then the Amscope 60x.

The 100x spring is quite a bit more expensive.

Just make sure your scope and objective you want to buy are compatible. Mine is a DIN standard.


There are eye pieces greater then 25x but quality goes down at high magnification.

 

[mcarroll]

Just two different style heads. Omax also offers the same style head. The sliding in and out took a bit getting used to for me but seems to fit my kids better.

Supposedly the other one doesn't require re-focusing when you share the view with someone that needs a different eye-gap.

I'm not sure if that was compared to a slide head though....it sounds like a high-end feature, but I can't see an indication that the scopes that come with it are any "higher end" than the others.....so I dunno...

 

[jason2459]

I haven't refocused between my kids and me. It just slides in and out to adjust to eye width.

 

[mcarroll]

More thinking out loud about scopes.

Trinocular

• 40X-1600X 3W LED Biological Trinocular Compound Microscope
  • $259 – T340A-LED
  • 3W LED illumination
  • 3D mechanical stage
  • Backward objective mount
  • Seidentropf eyepieces
• 40X-1000X 3W LED Siedentopf Trinocular Dark & Bright field Compound Microscope
  • $309 – T340-DK-LED
  • 3W LED
  • darkfield version of 1600x scope above, trinocular version of 1000x scope below
  • Seems like a great value if it hits your price point.

Binocular

• 40X-1000X 3W LED Siedentopf Binocular Darkfield Compound Microscope
  • $289 – B340-DK-LED
  • 3W LED
  • 3D stage
  • Backward objective
  • Darkfield kit
• 40X-2000X LED Lab Binocular Compound Microscope with 3D-Stage + Microscope Book
  • $185 – B120B-WM
  • 3D stage
  • 1 W LED
  • Comes with microscope guide

Monocular

• 40X-2000X LED Monocular Compound Microscope with Double-layer Mechanical Stage
  • $160 – M620B (there's a similar M220B??)
  • 3D stage
  • 1W LED
• 40X-1000X All-Metal All Optical Glass Lens Student Biological Field Microscope with LED light
  • $69 – M100C-LED
  • 1W LED
  • basic kit...higher-power eyepiece (for 1000x) is the only extra

Of course there are umpteen variations on every model that include books, slides, slips, fluids, cameras, et al......but these are the main AmScope models I'm looking at now. Still no idea which end of the spectrum I'll pick from as every model on that list seems like a great value.

You'll notice these are all LED and that there's a division between 1W and 3W illumination.

Gonna try to make a similar list for Omax next.

 

[mcarroll]

@Paul B it looks like Omax wants to give you a run for your "old timey microscope" honors while appealing to your interest in steam punk:

Crank Student Monocular Compound Microscope,40X-400X Cordless $369

Yes that says crank. Like a Model T Ford.

It's a hand-cranked microscope.

(They put a dynamo on it for the lighting system.)

 

[mcarroll]

Omax's Scope 7 of 9 hacking a computer.

The Borg's 7 of 9.

 

[mcarroll]

Whoa....$199 on Amazon....a trinocular compound scope that includes plan infinity lenses
World Precision Instruments brand
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AQKRBGU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_dp_T1_gBbszb4TM7DWM

Thoughts on that @jason2459 @Bob Stohrer (or anyone else with experience!)?

I know nobody has probably used this one in particular, but thoughts on trying it out?

They have a number of other models listed, including some with a "phase slider" kit.

 

[jason2459]

Accu scope 3000 series is their lower end but is probably just fine. The description says DIN standard but I do not think an infinity corrected lens would be DIN standard AFAIK. Not a big deal just know to make sure the object you buy matches the scope you have.

 

[mcarroll]

Interesting...seems worth a question to the seller before purchase.

Seems like quite a price for a whole scope including plan infinity lenses from the little shopping around I've done...

 

[mcarroll]

3000-LED Microscope Series
http://accu-scope.com/images_clients/pdf/Detailed-Specifications-Catalog-No-3000-LED-Series.pdf

The info there seems to indicate that config on Amazon is probably right....I think it (the 3001-LED) is the baseline for this model series.

I see that the Trinocular head is rated at 50/50 permanent light distribution.

Does that imply that a monocular scope will be the brightest?

 

[brett_schn]

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