Need advice on digital photography using Photomicroscope III

[Wes]

Recently I obtained a Zeiss Photomicroscope III in good condition. I equipped it with a 40/0.95 apo, 40/0.75 Ph2 Neofluar along with lower magnification plan and planapo objectives suitable for basic photomicrography.



I tested the internal 35 mm camera and was delighted by the images it produced. However I am interested in getting a digital camera to attach to the upper port.

In your experience what camera models are suitable and also what connecting elements do I need.

[Pau]

Nice scope!

There are different kind of phototubes that fit the upper port dovetail mount.
- Simple monocular tube 25mm diameter to mount an eyepiece and a camera adapter over it, its the simpler, less expensive and older option (black or gray models).
Shown here: http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/ind ... w-pm3.html

- Focusable monocular phototube, the setup will be similar than with the former one but it allows for fine tuning parfocality. The lower part is to mount a 40mm adapter and the final part to hold the eyepiece is also 25mm (gray)
http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/v ... p?p=189160 7th picture

- Dedicated tubes with some kind of camera mount (gray).
http://savazzi.net/photography/zeissadapter.html

AFAIK all of them work afocally: a KPL or S-KPL eyepiece and a lens over it. This is necessary because Zeiss objectives need compensating eyepieces to complete the objective correction.

The formula for afocal systems is
eyepiece magnification X camera lens FL /250

The recommended total relay magnification is about:
For FF 2.5X, for APSC 1.6X and for 4/3 1.2X

To mount on a microscope you want a camera that doesn't induce vibrations. Most (not all) Canon EOS will do, also few Sony NEX and A and newer Olympus will fit

[Wes]

Thank you for the thorough reply, Pau.

I would be inclined to invest in a Canon EOS but I'm uncertain which models would best fit my needs. Could you recommend or comment on one or more models of your choice.

[zzffnn]

Canon 70D (US model) has a good silent electronic shutter, mirror lock and focus peak, all of which will help for microscopy use.

[Pau]

Most EOS models have EFSC and are more or less adequate.
70D tests show some slight vibration. Absolutely avoid 60D

AFAIK most XXX series are adequate, although the most recent 750D and 760D have a sensor issue: in uniform backgrounds it shows the rows of dual pixels as horizontal banding, a pity, older models do not.
50D, 7D, 7DII are OK and maybe also 80D
5DII and 5DIII and 6D are OK, 1DX too. Some critical tests show some slight vibration of 6D (water immersed sample with water immersion objective) although in most cases it's OK
Not enough info about 1000D - 1200D.

EOS M3 seems good but lacks interesting features like USB tethering computer control.

You can find info at the forum about most of that models
Some links:
http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/v ... p?p=145406
http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/v ... p?p=134301
http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/v ... p?p=129122

[Wes]

Thanks, exactly the sort of info I was looking for.