5 replies to this topic

[BlueMoon]

Howdy folks,

I'm working at narrowing down my choice for a decent instrument to begin my (late in life) photomicrography journey. With an absolute plethora of choices any opinion or advice from those who are experienced in microscopy/photomicrography are welcome.

 

My criteria:

$500 or so budget (give or take $100)

40 - 1000x mag

Kohler lighting

Adaptable for DSLR camera.

Optional: considering tinkering around and adapting a C-mountable ZWO Planetary camera I have as well.

 

My interest is in imaging diatoms. I've been fascinated by them since I was a kid. Now, I'm just an older kid and still fascinated. I'd like to apply some of the stacking and post-processing techniques I've learned doing astrophotograpy if I can. Helicon Focus seems to be a software of choice in that department: https://www.heliconsoft.com/

 

I'm currently considering this microscope which seems to check the boxes: https://omaxmicrosco...TlD7TP-74TAx_4E

 

Cheers and thanks.

 

 

[topcode]

Before you go buying some new scope, look for something used. See if there is a gov surplus retailer near you, look around on websites, etc. Old big four(nikon, leica, olympus, zeiss) microscopes are near impossible to beat, they really dont make them like they used to, at least, not within your price range.

 

The microscope you have linked is pretty good, but the 16x eyepieces will most likely be empty magnification and not super useful, it looks like there is a version without them, that could be a way to save a bit. It also doesn't look like it has plan objectives, which is very important for photography, as it will only be in focus in the very center of the field, which yes focus stacking can help with but even then focus stacking will be easier with a plan objective set.  

Edited by topcode, 10 August 2024 - 03:24 PM.

[BlueMoon]

 

Before you go buying some new scope, look for something used. See if there is a gov surplus retailer near you, look around on websites, etc. Old big four(nikon, leica, olympus, zeiss) microscopes are near impossible to beat, they really dont make them like they used to, at least, not within your price range.

Good advice. I've been looking around but most of the instruments I'm finding are out of my budget or don't meet my criteria. I'd love to find an affordable 'scope from the aforementioned manufacturers but again, folks are asking ridiculous amounts. In all honesty, I'm trying not to repeat the same fiscal mistakes I made when I was doing astronomy. Too easy to spend big for not a lot of return on investment.

 

 

It also doesn't look like it has plan objectives, which is very important for photography, as it will only be in focus in the very center of the field, which yes focus stacking can help with but even then focus stacking will be easier with a plan objective set.

That is a good point. Still looking around and I figure if I can't find a 'scope with plan objectives as part of the package, I'll see about purchasing what I need. I see the Omax folks do offer plan objectives for not unreasonable prices so that might be a way to go. Cheers.

Edited by BlueMoon, 10 August 2024 - 08:41 PM.

[BlueMoon]

After sifting through a number of candidates, I ended up ordering a Swift SW380T: https://www.amazon.c...ref_=ast_sto_dp It doesn't have the Kohler illumination I wanted but I can live without it for now. After seeing how my imaging works out, I may upgrade to a Kohler in the future. The buying price also gives me some leeway on purchasing plan objectives, camera adapter pieces and image processing software. 

 

It also got 2 thumbs up from the missus for staying in budget ... Cheers.

Edited by BlueMoon, 11 August 2024 - 03:47 PM.

[j.gardavsky]

Before you go buying some new scope, look for something used. See if there is a gov surplus retailer near you, look around on websites, etc. Old big four(nikon, leica, olympus, zeiss) microscopes are near impossible to beat, they really dont make them like they used to, at least, not within your price range.

 

The microscope you have linked is pretty good, but the 16x eyepieces will most likely be empty magnification and not super useful, it looks like there is a version without them, that could be a way to save a bit. It also doesn't look like it has plan objectives, which is very important for photography, as it will only be in focus in the very center of the field, which yes focus stacking can help with but even then focus stacking will be easier with a plan objective set.  

Even if this Leitz Ergolux

https://www.ebay.de/...:Bk9SR9DTmu6oZA

 

is on a side line of this topic,

it shows what you can get for about USD500 plus shipment + import costs + VAT + ...

when the labs are replacing the old top microscopes with the digital ones, PC controlled, etc.

 

Best,

JG
 

[BlueMoon]

Well, the Swift didn't work out. 2+ months shipping time estimate and I don't have that kind of patience. So, the Omax M837L won out after all.