Best products from r/microscopy

I had a toy microscope as a kid -- it was a fun idea but not so good since seeing truly small things well requires more budget. I'm now in a business where microscopy is critical and have some nice hardware I can use to see truly small things, but there's a lot of fun in looking at larger objects. This can be done with cheap hardware and I use an older pen-style scope like what you posted even for "serious" business-related work (https://www.amazon.com/Supereyes-Portable-Microscope-Endoscope-Magnifier/dp/B0066H7H1Q ). These come with software a lot of the time but it's maybe not very good, so I use something called "SharpCap" which is meant for astronomy but is actually just an easy program to display USB camera images in real time so it works nicely for USB camera microscopy. I'd recommend getting this kind of setup (USB camera that plugs into a computer for display) since the display will be nicer and my instinct is that 80 dollars/euros is too little for a microscope/display/storage/stage that will work to anyone's satisfaction.

I found this one on Amazon ( https://www.amazon.com/Opti-Tekscope-Microscope-Advanced-Definition-Industrial/dp/B0184CCOY0/ref=sr_1_10?keywords=usb+microscope&qid=1567129440&s=gateway&sr=8-10 ). It has LED lighting (important for illuminating objects from the top) and looks solid, with metal construction that seems nicer than the one I have. Something like this would plug into a computer and display in real time, allowing you a large working distance from the object while being steady enough to watch the screen while focusing. There are lots of them like this for sale, some with higher magnification, but I think anything like along these lines would be a great toy microscope.

My friend, I disagree. I believe the phone attachments are pretty good for their price, I’ve got done great shots with them. They do require a lot of skill and precision in attaching the lens to the camera of the phone, but still, pretty good quality.

BUT, on the other hand, Take a look at my review for this microscope :

AmScope SE120 Portable Binocular Stereo Microscope, WF10x Eyepieces, 20X Magnification, 2X Objective, LED Lighting, Reversible Black/White Stage Plate, Track-Controlled Table Stand, Battery Powered https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DUIST02/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_b-uIAb37GAPCV

The pros:
It’s very lightweight as it’s made out of plastic and uses battery. So don’t have to worry about carrying a cord. It’s small enough to fit in my desk drawer. Produces great quality! I use it with my DSLR and phone adapters all the time when my stereo microscope magnifies too much.

The cons:
Since it’s very light, my DSLR (and phone) makes it hard to turn the focus knob to raise the lens upwards. Taking pictures by applying pressure to my devices can sometimes tip over the center of mass. The light is like 1 LED and doesn’t provide very adequate lighting. There is no other movable parts other than the focus adjustment and stage clips.

Conclusion:
Its wonderful to look at rocks and other small-médium sized objects that are too big for stereo microscopes. Get this if you plan on having something portable and lightweight and small.

It's just an Omax. I forget which model, but nothing overly fancy. And yeah just a drop of blood on a slide with a slip. Sealed around the edges with oil to slow oxidation. The "vacuoles" appear outside the objects as well. In fact that's where i first noticed them, but i just thought them to be debris until i saw them clustered inside the structure.

I'm not really sure what causes them to grow larger. One of the problems with these sorts of morphologies is that they vary widely from one species to the next and take on so many intermediary forms i really can't keep up with it. That's why when i couldn't find a WBC that looked like it and remembered the "fried egg" description i had to wonder about it. They can be triggered by some natural compounds like lysozyme as well as their own autolysins. I think the typical view is that they're mere laboratory curiosities caused by things like penicillin but this has been challenged and they probably represent various naturally occurring developmental paths a microorganism takes in response to environmental conditions. https://www.amazon.com/Cell-Wall-Deficient-Forms-Third/dp/0849387671 Also, i should state my blood is loaded with antibacterials though they are all derived from complex plant mixtures so i couldn't tell you the mechanism of action.

I do think you're probably right though. It's probably just a WBC and due to the nature of my health the presentation is not typical. The size is pretty consistent from one object to the next which probably wouldn't be expected of organisms growing independently. I still have to wonder what those orbs are though. I wish i had switched my major to microbiology when i knew what was good for me, ha. I feel like an absolute dunce on this scope.

At 100x you'll see individual cells, but erythrocytes are really small, and 400x is ideal. For pond life, larger microorganisms like paramecium might be viewable, but euglena for example will be small with minimal detail.

You could try the Carson microbrite, I have one, but I know it's quite limited as a student microscope: (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LAX52IQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_M8PBCb65642MJ)

The OMAX M82ES has great features and produces great images, costs considerably more though and realistically is only good to 400x (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LAX52IQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_M8PBCb65642MJ)

Hope this helps get you on the right track!

Dooooon’t use kimwipes. If you’re going to try and clean them, please buy actual lens tissue. Kimwipes have abrasive cotton fibers, that can scratch your lens. Lens paper is not terribly expensive. Try Thorlabs, or even just amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Tiffen-Cleaning-Paper-Tissue-Sheets/dp/B004ZZOMZ0/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1543122811&sr=8-5&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=lens+paper&dpPl=1&dpID=41CjgK6aDmL&ref=plSrch

Also, that Zeiss guide is great if you really want to get into it, but general cleaning is done well with some Sparkle lens cleaner. Do not confuse it with Sparkle glass cleaner. Not the same thing, and will leave a film on your lens. https://www.amazon.com/Sparkle-Bottle-Optical-Lens-Cleaner/dp/B00MZZYIL0

Feel free to DM me any questions!

Source: am a microscopic imaging specialist.

>How do I figure out what magnification I am getting in the view? Do I like multiply the eyepiece number by the objective number? The eye pieces say like 10X, 20X etc (what exactly does that mean? it doesn't really change the picture maybe just the FOV?) and the objectives say 4X, 10X, 40X and 100X.

Pretty much, yes. The specs here list this scope as having a magnification range of 40-1600x, which is 4x Obj 10x Eye up to 100x Obj 16x Eye. Technically your magnification will also change depending on how you resize the image digitally (e.g. you enlarge it in Microsoft Word) so scale bars, if you can add them, give you a better idea of the image scale.


>My guess is that if I used oil it would go better

The specs also list that the 100x Obj uses oil immersion to function, which is why it doesn't appear to work without it.

Nice hair; great shot.

If interested in looking at bugs, you can purchase an 'aspirator' to vacuum up the really tiny ants and bugs and mite and whatnot into a collection tube. I usually put a small amount of ethanol in bottom of the tube to just straight-away preserve the bugs. The aspirators typically look like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Carolina-Biological-Supply-Company-Aspirator/dp/B005VDNICI

There are a lot of different options if you think the mouth operated one is too weird, as you can see here:

https://www.bioquip.com/Search/WebCatalog.asp?category=2700&prodtype=1

Also would want some tweezer to move things around, just some fine ones that you get at the pharmacy or general store will work.

Other stuff... a lot of leaves and plants with tiny features are interesting to look at (especially lit from underneath)... ferns and mosses and whatnot are cool. Sand can also be rad, very different from different beaches or areas; sometimes its just a pile of amazing, fully-formed, miniature shells.

Amscope and OMAX (owned by the same company) are very big retailers of Chinese microscopes on Amazon. Also Swift.

In the price range you mention, Amscope has been pushing their T490 quite a bit and have lots of attachments for it. Given that you want a new scope from amazon for that price, not a bad bet. The link below includes a darkfield condenser (for getting images with a dark background with the sample lit) and a trinocular head you can use when you want to take pictures or videos.

https://smile.amazon.com/AmScope-T490B-DK-Magnification-Illumination-High-Resolution/dp/B004TP7KDM/

I haven't owned or used it, but it's kind of a safe bet by virtue of being popular and in the right price range. There are plenty of competing scopes in the same price range--mostly the use the same optical system, which is good for the price. By adding or removing features you want, you may end up with different models or brands. There's a pretty competitive market on Amazon.

On the Amscope website there's a live chat you might find useful (they also have a clearance section you might check out). They will give you advice after you tell them what you want.

You can get much better gear on the used market, but you have to deal with broken, dirty, and missing parts and the burden of search/repair/uncertainty is on you.

I dislike this article. There are a few inaccuracies.

1. The comparison to a $400 microscope camera is ridiculous. One can get a really good 5MP usb3 eyepiece camera for less than this.
   
   Labcam - $209 on sale
   https://www.ilabcam.com/collections/labcam-and-labcam-pro
   
   Usb3 5mp - $197
   https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06Y5TCFYQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Js94CbBKYY91E
   
   Usb2 5mp with reducing lens - $127
   https://www.amscope.com/cameras/5mp-eyepiece-camera-with-built-in-reduction-lens-for-microscopes.html
   
   
2. This is a software-less solution, and a large part of the value of a microscope camera is in the software. For not much more than $200, one can get a camera with very capable software, with measurement and annotation perhaps even with Extended Depth of Field and live stitching if you’re lucky and shop around. The cameras above will both handle measurements.
   
   
3. A $400 camera will have way more features and capabilities than the admittedly excellent camera in your phone. The sensor will be bigger and probably better with low light (for phase contrast etc). The camera will probably be high speed, or handle fluorescence microscopy.
   
   
4. You’d have to change the entire device every time you change phones. The above cameras all have 2 year warranties suggesting that these are designed to last.
   
   
5. In a multiuser situation, it’s easier to find a device with a USB port than having everyone using the same phone.
   
   
   Now, the idea of an inexpensive way to connect a phone to a microscope is wonderful. This isn’t. It will do what they say, but it is expensive for a plastic device, no matter how well it’s made or what grade of plastic used.
   
   I strongly recommend getting a 5mp camera, USB 2 for still images, USB3 for video and pictures. I prefer one with a reducing lens so you get clear square image.
   
   EDITS:
   
   
6. Yes, there is a lens in this holder. Still too expensive.
   
   
7. 5mp vs whatever your phone has: given the field of view, the quality of optics the microscope is likely to have, and the levels of magnification involved, 5mp is likely to be more than enough and and the extra resolution is likely to be wasted in making structures look bigger, but with no additional detail.

*New user here, tried to post this text with the image but failed :D

Hi r/Microscopy new user here, but I've been a lurker for months and love this subreddit.

Trying to figure out if this is an issue with my microscope, the left bottom edge is constantly yellowish/out of alignment (lowest magnification/ abbe condenser (fully open, so appears to not be the aperture).

Link to the scope I'm using
http://www.amazon.com/AmScope-T340-DK-LED-Magnification-Illumination-Double-Layer/dp/B007LBF5BA

The condenser is correctly centered and I've tested it with darkfield/ phase contrast and all looks fine (especially on higher magnifications).

If i loosen the head of the scope, and slide it about 2mm right, it perfectly aligns and everything seems solid. My thoughts are maybe to offset it with a bit of paper to keep it in that position?

Not really even sure if this is any issue so just wanted to double check to prove I'm not going insane (if its even an issue).

Thanks for any insight!

You might want to start with a simple compound microscope and get a cell phone adapter to view with. A stereo microscope is great but it's difficult to view "together". Buying a microscope used will cut the price a lot, but beware the objectives could be dirty and need cleaning. also, high magnifications like 1000x can be difficult to use, because of low field of view, high light levels required and may be difficult for a kid to focus. A few hundred dollars isn't going to cut it for those magnifications. Stick to a scope that has 4x, 10x and maybe 20x objectives.

This type of basic microscope is great for learning, has LED lights for both reflection and transmission viewing, works on batteries, easy to use. https://www.amazon.com/TELMU-Microscope-Magnification-Illumination-Microscopes/dp/B07DQQKJNZ/

Cell phone adapter I've used with great success: https://www.amazon.com/Gosky-Universal-Phone-Adapter-Mount/dp/B013D2ULO6/

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006MX03Q0/?coliid=IGTKAK9Q261QH&colid=2FMX9BJI3OTTN&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

I've used these before. They work well and they are well made really. I have an Amscope that cost $200 more than this one and I'd trade it in a heart beat. Hands down my recommendation. Been in my shopping list for years...

I'd recommend getting some kimtech wipes too and making sure you know all the care instructions. Keep it covered when not in use and all those things.

You're arriving into microscopy at a golden age of cheap, decent microscopes. Well done!

You'll be spending some serious time at your microscope, so I like to recommend comfort and ergonomics. You need to figure out a desk (STURDY, shaky desks suck for microscopy) & chair combination that puts you at a good height & distance from your scope, but you also want a scope that you can use without too much strain and hassle. I recommend a binocular (2 eyes) compound (multiple lenses/magnification options) scope with a mechanical (use dials to move your sample around, rather than manually sliding your slide around) stage.

Here's one for $200, shipped, on amazon. I don't have this exact scope, but I use another amscope and am very very pleased with it for the price.

I assume you want to get at what causes hair to split, microfracture, etc. rather than a lower magnification look.

https://www.amazon.com/AmScope-B120C-Magnification-Illumination-Double-Layer/dp/B009JROROU/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1549556722&sr=8-10&keywords=amscope

Not much experience, but I had good luck right out of the box with this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Awarded-2018-Best-Compound-Microscope/dp/B0094JTZOU

I recommend getting some sample pre-prepared slides as well so you can focus on the scope usage at first.

Sure thing! I bought this one from Amazon last year. https://www.amazon.com/Awarded-Best-Compound-Microscope-2016/dp/B0094JTZOU I love it. It's perfect for every day use. Here's a video I took last year of pond water with cell phone camera. https://youtu.be/WALjNaX9WYg

Soil microbiology was one of the main reasons I bought my scope. Another was yeast in brewing. I'm now amazed at how useful it is for odd week to week things. Here is the one I picked up. It's a bit more than the one you linked but I've been very happy with it. I also purchased the amscope digital camera to go with it and it's just so-so.

Sounds like a cool project! This is the one i use at home- i don't know if it's available in the US (just guessing thats where you are) but i cannot recommend it enough. They have their own site too.

This is an alternative availble in the US - i have no experience with it but it seems okay, also has a connection to your laptop to make it easier to share your results!

I use one of these and it works great. Takes a bit of adjusting though to get the cam on view. Great low cost option.

Gosky Universal Cell Phone Adapter Mount

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B013D2ULO6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_8rJEybNN3TSPK

I don't know enough to say that isn't a good deal. The scope could be very well made or sought after for the precision assembly or something else I could only guess at.

But considering the fact that you can buy a brand new warrantied scope for that price which includes USB outputs for digital imaging and recording (link)...

It's pretty hard for me to imagine this is a particularly good deal.

I am quite new to playing with microscopes myself, but for what it's worth I had a similar price range in mind when I bought mine. I ended up selecting an AmScope M150 ($87 on amazon) and a cell phone mount for pictures https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07412S738/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1 ($26). Alternately, if she's got a decent camera there are also DSLR adapters.

There is a more expensive version of the same scope ($140ish) with a usb camera, but the camera specs are inferior to just about any pseudo-recent cell phone.

​

While I cant say how well this scope compares to professional equipment, I'm happy with the purchase.

Here appears to be a picture of blood cells under a 40 dollar plastic kids microscope (the first picture):

https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R8QZPHVYL00VH/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B00GGY85EC

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Link to the microscope:

https://www.amazon.com/AmScope-120X-1200X-Beginner-Microscope-Carrying/dp/B00GGY85EC/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

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Here appears to be a picture of blood cells under a 86 dollar amscope microscope (the middle picture):

https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/RIIM8M99ASYRC/ref=cm_cr_getr_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B00AM5XB5O

​

Link to the microscope:

https://www.amazon.com/AmScope-M150C-I-40X-1000X-Biological-Microscope/dp/B00AM5XB5O/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1540043964&sr=8-3&keywords=microscope

​

Of course I don't know what cameras they used and so on, so this is a bad comparison, but it's still a comparison. I also don't know what objectives/magnifications they used in the picture, because usually people don't write those for some reason. Someone who owns a kids microscope could make a better comparison. I'm probably going to buy one some day, because I'm curious how good they are.

​

But the fact that you can see blood cells, I think means that the resolution in the plastic kids microscope is quite good, compared to a generic 50 dollar USB microscope for example, which I don't think can see blood cells. The limitation of the USB microscopes can be due to the bad inbuilt camera more than optics though. Compared to the 86 dollar microscope, there doesn't seem to be that big of a difference. But again, this is a bad comparison, so we can't be sure. There might be a larger difference than what appears to be in the pictures.

If I were you, I'd go with a microscope that has a trinocular view. It really helps to be able to view what your are taking images of through an eyepiece.

This is the microscope I use and I have no complaints yet:

https://www.amazon.com/AmScope-T490B-Magnification-High-Resolution-Microscopes/dp/B004QEFO1Q/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1524069091&sr=1-3&keywords=trinocular+microscope&dpID=41a90GOXjiL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

You can get decent photos / videos using a phone adapter if you're on a budget.

Something like this perhaps:
https://www.amazon.com/Gosky-Universal-Phone-Adapter-Mount/dp/B013D2ULO6/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1524069164&sr=1-4&keywords=microscope+phone+adapter&dpID=41riC-uLXTL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

This is what I'm using