Question: Keeping Microbes & Microscope Cameras

usnbxo · Post by **usnbxo** » Wed Mar 12, 2014 4:53 pm

I wanted to know if anyone could give me some general information on keeping microbes, i.e. containers and storage conditions. I just started getting into microscopy about 3 months ago, and since then I have managed to culture my own little 300 mil container with some pond water and dried skim milk, it went well, I had a light on it throughout the day and it was just stored in my armoire. Keeping things near a window is out of the question for me, as I am living on a military base while I go to school, and we have room checks.

I also wanted to know if anyone had any experience with this Amscope camera. I have an Amscope Microscope and the camera on it works fine, but it's only .3 mp. I've read mixed reviews on the other camera.

Edit: I am also looking for good internet sources or books that would help in identifying microbes.

Any input to help me improve would be most appreciated.

Olympusman · Post by **Olympusman** » Thu Mar 13, 2014 7:57 am

I have an Amscope metallurgical microscope with a similar camera that uses a 4 MP CMOS sensor. The optic on the camera is reasonably sharp but the supporting software is very frustrating. For one thing, I have yet to find a way to calibrate a neutral white balance and the alleged Kelvin numbers don't appear to have any basis in reality (I don't see how a Kelvin value can be green).

Charles Krebs · Post by **Charles Krebs** » Thu Mar 13, 2014 6:05 pm

This is one of my favorite "on-line" resources:

http://pinkava.asu.edu/starcentral/micr ... azorganism

(This is another URL for the same site but I often have difficulty getting there using it:
http://starcentral.mbl.edu/microscope/p ... azorganism )

This a good site as well, but you need to have some idea of what you are looking for:
http://protist.i.hosei.ac.jp/

These are two good books. The Patterson book is primarily photographs, the "How to Know..." book primarily illustrations. (Watch out for some crazy prices and look for used versions if available). I usually find the Patterson book more helpful because the photographs typically look more like what I am observing.

http://www.amazon.com/Free-living-Fresh ... 1555812759

http://www.amazon.com/Know-Protozoa-Pic ... 0697047598

I'm not familiar with the microscope or camera. Generally these eyepiece cameras can be OK for still shots but are sometimes not that great for video (actual frame rates slower than "rated"). I would also consider the 5MP version ( http://www.amazon.com/AmScope-MU500-CK- ... B005N9ZJOU ). Considerably less $$, 5MP is a decent image size for microscope use, likely more sensitive to light, and have less noise.