Basic camera-microscope connection advice sought

Starting out in microscopy? Post images and ask questions relating to the microscope and get answers from our more advanced users on the subject.

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Paul_Ward
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Aug 13, 2014 6:44 am

Basic camera-microscope connection advice sought

Post by Paul_Ward »

Hi everyone, I've just joined this forum today and I have probably the first and most simple question that everyone needs to know. How do I attach my camera to my microscope.

I have a Leitz Laborlux 12 with a trinocular head, the vertical tube coming out of it is 38mm internal diameter. My camera is a Pentax K20 DSLR. I found one solution online which was about $1000 which struck me as rather a lot!

Can someone point me in the right direction as to where I can do this for at least a bit less?

Pau
Site Admin
Posts: 6072
Joined: Wed Jan 20, 2010 8:57 am
Location: Valencia, Spain

Post by Pau »

Hi Paul, wellcome aboard

You can set up a good adaptation for much less money and some DIY work:
A)
- You need a Leitz adapter tube to mount a Periplan eyepiece on the 38mm photoport. They are often available at ebay
- Put a 50mm standard prime lens on the camera and put that lens very close to the eyepiece, like here: http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/v ... 9265#99265
To get the best coverage for APSC the most adequate eyepiece would be a 8X, with a 10X the image will be a bit more cropped but still good.
Some short zooms also work well, but they are less adequte than a prime.
A macro stand or an enlarger stand will be convenient to hold the camera over the eyepiece.
Because your camera doesn't have EFSC to avoid vibrations a good idea could be to avoid direct camera-microscope contact (or use the classic trics: elctronic flash or very long exposure times)
B)
Search for the original adapters for Leitz /Wild cameras
The best one, but expensive, will be the zoom adapter "Vario orthomat".
http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/v ... 485#129485
The optics for the simpler Orthomat camera could also be used:
http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/v ... 648#114648
Pau

Paul_Ward
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Aug 13, 2014 6:44 am

Post by Paul_Ward »

Thanks for that comprehensive answer Pau.

I was only really anticipating a link to a store with a "try here". That'll keep me busy for a while, thanks again - it is appreciated.

Paul

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