I want buy a microscope, but I don't know nothing...
I read there is two categorie: biological and stereoscopic (it's true?)
I understand that with the biological, I must cut a thin part of the object, and with the other I can see a 3D imagine. (it's true?)
I want shot photo look like macrofotography, for example insect....
Wich is better for me?
I use the MP-E 65 and shot a 5X, with microscope wich magnify?
Thanks in advance.
RobertoM
Buy Microscope....
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rjlittlefield
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RobertoM,
Yes, those are the two main types of microscopes. Let me add some more detail...
One type is low magnification (7-50X), has an upright image (not inverted), gives separate left eye / right eye views so you can see depth, and has long working distance between lens and subject. These are usually called "stereo" scopes.
The other type is usually higher magnification (40-1000X), inverted image, has either one eyepiece or gives the same view to both eyepieces (so you cannot see depth), and has shorter working distance. These are often called "biological" or "compound" microscopes.
To get pictures like you want, the key thing is that light has to shine on the front of the subject.
That can be done with either kind of microscope. See here for an example.
But with almost any kind of microscope, it is very difficult to light the front of a subject at high magnification. I can do it at 200X (20X objective), but with that lens, I have only 3.3 mm of space between the lens and the subject. There are very expensive "long working distance" objectives, but their resolution is not much better than the MP-E 65 that you already have.
The MP-E 65 is a very good lens. For insect photography, it will do almost everything that a stereo microscope would do. The MP-E 65 at 5X is about the same as a microscope at 20-50X, in terms of the size subject you can photograph and the amount of detail you can capture.
Since you already have the MP-E 65, I think a stereo microscope will not help your photography much. (However, stereo microscopes are great fun for direct observing!)
A higher power compound scope will extend your range, but be prepared for some frustration.
It would help to get some experience before buying.
Perhaps you have friends or a local school or university that will let you look through their microscopes?
--Rik
Yes, those are the two main types of microscopes. Let me add some more detail...
One type is low magnification (7-50X), has an upright image (not inverted), gives separate left eye / right eye views so you can see depth, and has long working distance between lens and subject. These are usually called "stereo" scopes.
The other type is usually higher magnification (40-1000X), inverted image, has either one eyepiece or gives the same view to both eyepieces (so you cannot see depth), and has shorter working distance. These are often called "biological" or "compound" microscopes.
To get pictures like you want, the key thing is that light has to shine on the front of the subject.
That can be done with either kind of microscope. See here for an example.
But with almost any kind of microscope, it is very difficult to light the front of a subject at high magnification. I can do it at 200X (20X objective), but with that lens, I have only 3.3 mm of space between the lens and the subject. There are very expensive "long working distance" objectives, but their resolution is not much better than the MP-E 65 that you already have.
The MP-E 65 is a very good lens. For insect photography, it will do almost everything that a stereo microscope would do. The MP-E 65 at 5X is about the same as a microscope at 20-50X, in terms of the size subject you can photograph and the amount of detail you can capture.
Since you already have the MP-E 65, I think a stereo microscope will not help your photography much. (However, stereo microscopes are great fun for direct observing!)
A higher power compound scope will extend your range, but be prepared for some frustration.
It would help to get some experience before buying.
Perhaps you have friends or a local school or university that will let you look through their microscopes?
--Rik
First of all, thanks a lot.
You has explained to me very great.
I don't understand this:
Why you say that with the MP-E 65 can shot look like the microscope?
MP-E 65 magnify 5X and stereo microscope for example go to 40X...
40X is better 5X... but I am a beginner and don't know..
If I decide to buy maybe is better for me (example: for shot insect) buy a stereo microscope, because I understand with the biological microscope can't shot photo look like the photo of the link you indicate me.
(sorry sorry sorry for my english but for me is not easy explain very well...)
Thanks in advance and for your patience...
You has explained to me very great.
I don't understand this:
Why you say that with the MP-E 65 can shot look like the microscope?
MP-E 65 magnify 5X and stereo microscope for example go to 40X...
40X is better 5X... but I am a beginner and don't know..
If I decide to buy maybe is better for me (example: for shot insect) buy a stereo microscope, because I understand with the biological microscope can't shot photo look like the photo of the link you indicate me.
(sorry sorry sorry for my english but for me is not easy explain very well...)
Thanks in advance and for your patience...
Now I'm a little more expert than I write the initial post, and I want buy a compound (biological?) microscope.
I have one but is look like a joke for children...
I want make photo in a normal utilize and in a dark field
(I hope write correctly...)
I don't know is possible put link in a post, if not, excuse me...
I find this microscope, this is more or less the my maximum budget...
This one, I can pay 862 euro
http://www.ormabilance.com/htmluk/bioplanuk.htm
and this one I can pay 879 euro.
http://www.optical-systems.com/bms-a122 ... -1462.html
I know the objectives are semi plan and not plan...
and maybe this:
http://www.geass.com/html/Microscopi/Mi ... _Motic.htm
model BA200 Trinocular version
This is more expensive but I think is better... because the objectives are plan (but isn't trinocular)
http://www.otticasanmarco.it/Olympus_CX ... vo100x.htm
What do you think?
Can someone help me?
I know in ebay I can buy a second hand microscope, but I'm not a expert and don't want buy somethings not in perfect conditions...
I accept every suggestion...
If you want suggest other company thank you.
I think zeiss primo star but think is more expensive...
Thanks in advance
Roberto.
I have one but is look like a joke for children...
I want make photo in a normal utilize and in a dark field
(I hope write correctly...)
I don't know is possible put link in a post, if not, excuse me...
I find this microscope, this is more or less the my maximum budget...
This one, I can pay 862 euro
http://www.ormabilance.com/htmluk/bioplanuk.htm
and this one I can pay 879 euro.
http://www.optical-systems.com/bms-a122 ... -1462.html
I know the objectives are semi plan and not plan...
and maybe this:
http://www.geass.com/html/Microscopi/Mi ... _Motic.htm
model BA200 Trinocular version
This is more expensive but I think is better... because the objectives are plan (but isn't trinocular)
http://www.otticasanmarco.it/Olympus_CX ... vo100x.htm
What do you think?
Can someone help me?
I know in ebay I can buy a second hand microscope, but I'm not a expert and don't want buy somethings not in perfect conditions...
I accept every suggestion...
If you want suggest other company thank you.
I think zeiss primo star but think is more expensive...
Thanks in advance
Roberto.
Roberto: I went through a similar process recently when looking for a microscope to replace an aging ex-pathology lab microscope.
I discovered that many of the lower end microscopes from the big names are Chinese made. That is true of the Olympus CX21 and Zeiss Primo Star. I found a few comments online about both, and they were not glowing. Here's one:
http://www.martinmicroscope.com/Brands.htm
According to the above source: "the CX21, made in China, is disappointing in our opinion. Motic has better models for less money."
If you are interested, I found cheap Zeiss Primo Stars at B&H Photovideo in NY.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/5 ... scope.html
Add shipping and tax.
Many people here and elsewhere seem to prefer used microscopes, and these people have a good selection:
http://www.microscopen-specialist.nl/
As to how reliable the company is, I have no idea.
I went for a new Meiji, which is beyond your budget. However I have no idea how it compares to a used microscope made by someone like Leitz. New means that parts and extras are easy to come by, though you might have to pay a lot depending on the make. Used means much less money, but possible issues with wear, and dirt. Many people (including the dealer where I bought my instrument) consider the older instruments to have better engineering. I cannot comment on that.
I could not find out how good the Chinese Motic microscopes are. Some people dismiss Chinese instruments, and by all accounts they used to be poor. My guess is that for the price they offer good value. Sadly I have never found honest unbiased reviews, only dismissive comments from those who like Leica, Zeiss, Nikon and Olympus, and I have no idea how reliable they are.
I discovered that many of the lower end microscopes from the big names are Chinese made. That is true of the Olympus CX21 and Zeiss Primo Star. I found a few comments online about both, and they were not glowing. Here's one:
http://www.martinmicroscope.com/Brands.htm
According to the above source: "the CX21, made in China, is disappointing in our opinion. Motic has better models for less money."
If you are interested, I found cheap Zeiss Primo Stars at B&H Photovideo in NY.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/5 ... scope.html
Add shipping and tax.
Many people here and elsewhere seem to prefer used microscopes, and these people have a good selection:
http://www.microscopen-specialist.nl/
As to how reliable the company is, I have no idea.
I went for a new Meiji, which is beyond your budget. However I have no idea how it compares to a used microscope made by someone like Leitz. New means that parts and extras are easy to come by, though you might have to pay a lot depending on the make. Used means much less money, but possible issues with wear, and dirt. Many people (including the dealer where I bought my instrument) consider the older instruments to have better engineering. I cannot comment on that.
I could not find out how good the Chinese Motic microscopes are. Some people dismiss Chinese instruments, and by all accounts they used to be poor. My guess is that for the price they offer good value. Sadly I have never found honest unbiased reviews, only dismissive comments from those who like Leica, Zeiss, Nikon and Olympus, and I have no idea how reliable they are.
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rjlittlefield
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Roberto,RobertoM wrote:Why you say that with the MP-E 65 can shot look like the microscope?
MP-E 65 magnify 5X and stereo microscope for example go to 40X...
40X is better 5X...
I'm sorry -- I did not see this question of yours before today.
The 5X and 40X are different kinds of numbers -- cannot compare directly.
For MP-E 65, the 5X means magnification measured at the sensor. The sensor of a typical DSLR is about 27 mm diagonal, so the subject size is about 5.4 mm diagonal.
For microscope, the 40X means apparent magnification, compared to what your eye alone would see. When you convert that to subject size, it turns out to be about 4 to 5 mm diagonal, depending on the eyepiece.
There is not much difference between "5X" = 5.4 mm subject size and "40X" = 4 to 5 mm subject size.
About the higher power microscopes, I will let other people give advice. I am a novice there.
--Rik
I continue my search for microscope...
Trinocular head
plan achromatic objectives (4x, 10x, 40x, 100x)
Illuminator: 20W (or 30W or 50W)
In this case more is better?
Possibility in future of Phase and Dark field Contrast (not now)
My budget is more or less 1000/1200 euro.
I don't want buy a second hand microscope.
I have find this model:
http://www.ormabilance.com/t2050pl.htm (this I think is good)
http://www.optikamicroscopes.com/prod/B350.asp
http://www.optikamicroscopes.com/prod/B500.asp
http://www.otticaturi.it/set-cata.htm
Every help is accepted....
Thanks in advance
Roberto.
Trinocular head
plan achromatic objectives (4x, 10x, 40x, 100x)
Illuminator: 20W (or 30W or 50W)
In this case more is better?
Possibility in future of Phase and Dark field Contrast (not now)
My budget is more or less 1000/1200 euro.
I don't want buy a second hand microscope.
I have find this model:
http://www.ormabilance.com/t2050pl.htm (this I think is good)
http://www.optikamicroscopes.com/prod/B350.asp
http://www.optikamicroscopes.com/prod/B500.asp
http://www.otticaturi.it/set-cata.htm
Every help is accepted....
Thanks in advance
Roberto.
Little add
Just a little add...
I decided to buy this
http://www.optikamicroscopes.com/prod/B350.asp
B 353 PL (or B 353 PLI)
Trinocular
Head with site for five objectives
Objectives Plan or Plan IOS
excuse me for a lot of questions...
There is a big difference between Plan and Plan IOS?
Wich is better?
And why?
Someone can help me (for a last time...) :-)
Roberto
I decided to buy this
http://www.optikamicroscopes.com/prod/B350.asp
B 353 PL (or B 353 PLI)
Trinocular
Head with site for five objectives
Objectives Plan or Plan IOS
excuse me for a lot of questions...
There is a big difference between Plan and Plan IOS?
Wich is better?
And why?
Someone can help me (for a last time...) :-)
Roberto
Re: Little add
Roberto
I believe these are all Chinese instruments made by Motic, so if you go to Motic, you will find information. Brunel Microscopes also sell them, and they have some useful information.
I am surprised by the lack of reviews of these instruments as they seem to be omnpresent.
Leif
I believe these are all Chinese instruments made by Motic, so if you go to Motic, you will find information. Brunel Microscopes also sell them, and they have some useful information.
I am surprised by the lack of reviews of these instruments as they seem to be omnpresent.
Leif
Thanks for the answer.
Now, before I buy, I need (please obviously) some informations on objectives.
I don't know which is better, Plan or Plan IOS
I read this:
The series B-350 includes 6 models featuring achromatic, planachromatic and infinity corrected plan objectives.
Let’s now take a closer look to each model:
B-352A
Binocular microscope A
B-353A
Trinocular microscope A
B-352PL
Binocular microscope PL, quintuple nosepiece
B-353PL
Trinocular microscope PL, quintuple nosepiece
B-352PLi
Binocular microscope E-PL IOS, quintuple nosepiece
B-353PLi
Trinocular microscope E-PL IOS, quintuple nosepiece
But IOS is infinity-corrected objective or other?
Sorry for a lot of stupid questions, but I'm a beginner and I don't know which is better.
I have decided, I must only decided the objectives:
Plan or E-PLAN IOS
Thanks in advance
Roberto.
Now, before I buy, I need (please obviously) some informations on objectives.
I don't know which is better, Plan or Plan IOS
I read this:
The series B-350 includes 6 models featuring achromatic, planachromatic and infinity corrected plan objectives.
Let’s now take a closer look to each model:
B-352A
Binocular microscope A
B-353A
Trinocular microscope A
B-352PL
Binocular microscope PL, quintuple nosepiece
B-353PL
Trinocular microscope PL, quintuple nosepiece
B-352PLi
Binocular microscope E-PL IOS, quintuple nosepiece
B-353PLi
Trinocular microscope E-PL IOS, quintuple nosepiece
But IOS is infinity-corrected objective or other?
Sorry for a lot of stupid questions, but I'm a beginner and I don't know which is better.
I have decided, I must only decided the objectives:
Plan or E-PLAN IOS
Thanks in advance
Roberto.
Roberto
Although I have been using a microscope for 10 years or so, it was an old one, and I am only now learning about modern instruments. So please take what I say with caution.
As far as I can tell, there is little if any advantage to having infinity optics as far as most of us are concerned. The older non-infinity optics have advantages as you can use objectives from other makers (though objectives and eyepieces sometimes have to be matched). There is a lot of information on the web:
http://www.microscopyu.com/articles/optics/cfintro.html
So what really matters is the quality, and you can only know that by trying them, or taking advice from someone who knows. (Not me!)
As for the objectives, well you probably want Plan-achromatic, rather than achromatic. Plan means flat field which in principle means that the field edges are sharp. You need that for photography. However, in practice a Plan-achromatic objective from one manufacturer might be no more flat field than a Semi-Plan-achromatic objective from another manufacturer. I bought a Meiji microscope with Plan achromatic objectives. The 40x and 100x have flat fields. The 10x gives a field that is no more flat than a simple ahcromatic 10x objective on my old Prior microscope!!! Personally I think that is unacceptable. But often the only way to know is to buy.
Also make sure the field number FN of the eyepieces is decent. IMO 18 is narrow, 20 is wide and 22 is very wide.
I was wondering about a Chinese microscope, but I got the impression that the quality is very variable, especially of the mechanics.
Although I have been using a microscope for 10 years or so, it was an old one, and I am only now learning about modern instruments. So please take what I say with caution.
As far as I can tell, there is little if any advantage to having infinity optics as far as most of us are concerned. The older non-infinity optics have advantages as you can use objectives from other makers (though objectives and eyepieces sometimes have to be matched). There is a lot of information on the web:
http://www.microscopyu.com/articles/optics/cfintro.html
So what really matters is the quality, and you can only know that by trying them, or taking advice from someone who knows. (Not me!)
As for the objectives, well you probably want Plan-achromatic, rather than achromatic. Plan means flat field which in principle means that the field edges are sharp. You need that for photography. However, in practice a Plan-achromatic objective from one manufacturer might be no more flat field than a Semi-Plan-achromatic objective from another manufacturer. I bought a Meiji microscope with Plan achromatic objectives. The 40x and 100x have flat fields. The 10x gives a field that is no more flat than a simple ahcromatic 10x objective on my old Prior microscope!!! Personally I think that is unacceptable. But often the only way to know is to buy.
Also make sure the field number FN of the eyepieces is decent. IMO 18 is narrow, 20 is wide and 22 is very wide.
I was wondering about a Chinese microscope, but I got the impression that the quality is very variable, especially of the mechanics.
Thanks a lot.
Two minutes ago, I receive a call from another microscope seller.
Now, I'm not sure between
A) http://www.ormabilance.com/t2050pl.htm
and
B) http://www.optikamicroscopes.com/prod/B350.asp
A: 1039 euro
Objectives Plan IOS, illuminator 20 Watt, foto adapter, Kit darkfield
B: 1200 euro
Objectives Plan, illuminator 50 Watt, foto adapter, Kit darkfield
I'm not sure wich is better for me.
The microscope are similar, maybe B seems more stable.
Can you help me please?
Roberto
Two minutes ago, I receive a call from another microscope seller.
Now, I'm not sure between
A) http://www.ormabilance.com/t2050pl.htm
and
B) http://www.optikamicroscopes.com/prod/B350.asp
A: 1039 euro
Objectives Plan IOS, illuminator 20 Watt, foto adapter, Kit darkfield
B: 1200 euro
Objectives Plan, illuminator 50 Watt, foto adapter, Kit darkfield
I'm not sure wich is better for me.
The microscope are similar, maybe B seems more stable.
Can you help me please?
Roberto
Roberto: I cannot give you useful advice. But you might have luck if you ask here:
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/Microscope/
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/Microscope/