Microscope for spore examination

Hi,

The million dollar question is: – what would you call “relatively inexpensive”

Ideally you would want to get a trinocular scope with a minimum of four objective turret (x10, x20, x40, x100 oil), decent sub stage condenser, mechanical x-y stage, and kohler illumination. But then – that’s the ideal minimum.

A monocular scope will do the job, but it can strain the eyes if used for any length of time, and a binocular scope is much more comfortable.

A trinocular is ideal for when photography via the scope enters the equation – but you can get away with using a camera adaptor on the eyepiece tube of a monocular or binocular.

Anything less than the four magnifications of objective mentioned above will be a hindrance in certain circumstances – you really need something between x10 and x40.

Also, x10 eyepieces are all that you really need. – You can get x15 eyepieces, to increase the range of magnifications available, but they won’t increase resolution (i.e they won’t show any more detail than x10’s).

Most of the Chinese scopes these days are of perfectly adequate quality. And then there’s the used scope market – some real bargains can be had.

Have a look at Brunel Microscopes website for an idea of specifications and prices of both new and used equipment.

I have a link to a very extensive microscopy tutorial that will give you a lot of info on the terminology and what’s good and what’s bad.

I’ll post it as a separate thread, as it will then be visible in case it is of use to others in future.

Regards,

Mike.

The one that I’m looking at now is this one: http://www.apexmicroscopessecure.co.uk/ … html#SID=9.

I think I’m also gonna get the Starter’s kit and the Apex Minigrab. That’s all that’s really in my price range and not OUT OF STOCK!

This doesn’t have a x100 oil immersion lens. You will need this to make good measurement of spore sizes and to see spore detail. You will kick yourself later if you don’t have oil immersion.

There is a Vickers monocular microscope on Ebay starting bid £70. It has oil immersion x100. Although old, it is solid and heavily built and a well respected make. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VICKERS-M15-MICROSCOPE-WORKING-ORDER-/351406480238?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item51d1755b6e” class=”bbcode_url”>http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VICKERS-M15-MICROSCOPE-WORKING-ORDER-/351406480238?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item51d1755b6e

There is also an Apex Researcher binocular at £180 “buy it now” – this also has oil immersion and looks decent enough. It has LED lighting, which is nice to have.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Apex-Researcher-Microscope-Like-New-Mint-/121663271616?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item1c53b232c0” class=”bbcode_url”>http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Apex-Researcher-Microscope-Like-New-Mint-/121663271616?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item1c53b232c0

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_immersion” class=”bbcode_url”>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_immersion

In light microscopy, oil immersion is a technique used to increase the resolution of a microscope. This is achieved by immersing both the objective lens and the specimen in a transparent oil of high refractive index, thereby increasing the numerical aperture of the objective lens.

Immersion oils are transparent oils that have specific optical and viscosity characteristics necessary for use in microscopy. Typical oils used have an index of refraction around 1.515.[1] An oil immersion objective is an objective lens specially designed to be used in this way.

You need the right tools for the job. I’ll say no more, you have been advised, you can ignore it if you wish

P.S Ask Chris Yeates what he has spent on microscopes… 😮

Of the two Ebay ‘scopes suggested, the £180 is probably the one I would recommend; the LED lighting would be a plus – an even bigger plus is the mechanical stage which the Vickers ‘scope lacks – at the higher magnifications I think you would find the lack of a mechanical stage a very frustrating business.

And yes – oil immersion is essential for any sort of serious work.

Chris