Search found 21 matches

by ajmckay
Sat Feb 03, 2018 6:44 am
Forum: Introduce yourself
Topic: reviving the magic
Replies: 13
Views: 7339

Re: reviving the magic

I'd say welcome but I'm new here myself! Anyways I like the microscope you have and like you I'm very interested in photographing all the new microscopic details I see. Tomorrow I'm going to attempt to make some slides with ice crystals and see how that goes. The polarized crystal pattern in the pho...
by ajmckay
Mon Jan 01, 2018 7:13 pm
Forum: Beginner's corner
Topic: Pond aquarium
Replies: 26
Views: 10531

Re: Pond aquarium

I wish there were various "like" or "thanks" options on this forum!

This is a great thread with some really cool info.

Thanks especially to Kurt and crater for sharing examples of your setup. A simple pic is effective for the beginner forum!
by ajmckay
Mon Jan 01, 2018 4:50 pm
Forum: Beginner's corner
Topic: Cheap microscope or am I doing something wrong?
Replies: 5
Views: 2833

Re: Cheap microscope or am I doing something wrong?

Welcome to the forum I'm just getting into this as well - as a hobby.

That's odd that you saw that kaleidoscope effect. No clue what it could have been but it sounds related to adjustment or procedure given it suddenly went away.

Good luck!
by ajmckay
Mon Jan 01, 2018 7:03 am
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: Pleurotaenium I think
Replies: 8
Views: 4405

Re: Pleurotaenium I think

22 images eh? I'm not very familiar with the process. But it really takes a few to get good results!!

Anyways I like the image - it's clear and very interesting organism there. The contrast of the green on white also looks great.
by ajmckay
Sun Dec 31, 2017 9:48 pm
Forum: Introduce yourself
Topic: New/beginner hobbyist
Replies: 29
Views: 16638

Re: New/beginner hobbyist

Hey Hobbyst, thanks a lot for the tips! For cleaning I was thinking similarly, using a little iso alcohol on a swab. I'm sure the debris is on the eyepiece because when I twist it some specks in the image rotate. For the lighting I've actually found the halogen to be pretty good. I haven't had it on...
by ajmckay
Sun Dec 31, 2017 4:19 am
Forum: Camera systems and imaging
Topic: Magnetcially securing a smartphone to an eyepiece adapter
Replies: 16
Views: 24330

Re: Magnetcially securing a smartphone to an eyepiece adapter

Hmm. I'm not sure I quite understand what you mean by placing the camera at the focus, 20mm higher than the top lens.... Got a pic?
by ajmckay
Sat Dec 30, 2017 8:29 am
Forum: Introduce yourself
Topic: New/beginner hobbyist
Replies: 29
Views: 16638

Re: New/beginner hobbyist

Thanks all for the encouragement! While I wait for some blank slides to arrive I'll be looking into: - Microtomes (likely DIY there!) - cell phone eyepiece adapters (likely 3D printed) - General slide prep - A school style "worksheet" for my daughter (who am I kidding - it's for me also!) that ident...
by ajmckay
Fri Dec 29, 2017 3:09 am
Forum: Camera systems and imaging
Topic: Magnetcially securing a smartphone to an eyepiece adapter
Replies: 16
Views: 24330

Re: Magnetcially securing a smartphone to an eyepiece adapter

Hobbyst - those videos are great! I'm not really familiar with the device you're using - but I like the idea of a magnetic mount a lot because like you, I have a binocular scope so I might be installing and removing it frequently. I'm thinking of using the 3D printer to make one of these: https://ww...
by ajmckay
Fri Dec 29, 2017 12:46 am
Forum: Introduce yourself
Topic: New/beginner hobbyist
Replies: 29
Views: 16638

Re: New/beginner hobbyist

It's arrived!!!! I'm suuuuuper excited. The seller did a fantastic packing job with which I'm quite pleased - probably the best I've ever seen on an eBay item. I had some furniture delivered a few weeks ago and they were very damaged so I've been a bit nervous. Overall the microscope has far exceede...
by ajmckay
Thu Dec 28, 2017 11:47 pm
Forum: Specimens, samples and slides
Topic: Slide thickness for Darkfield
Replies: 9
Views: 5287

Re: Slide thickness for Darkfield

Thanks everyone for the responses! I'm also curious what's meant by DF slides actually being thicker than BF/phase... But that's not surprising - given I just started in this hobby lol. It does make sense, however, that the "sweet spot" could be adjusted by moving the condenser up and down. I checke...
by ajmckay
Wed Dec 27, 2017 6:24 pm
Forum: Specimens, samples and slides
Topic: Slide thickness for Darkfield
Replies: 9
Views: 5287

Slide thickness for Darkfield

Hi all, I'm looking to buy some slides to go with the used Fisher Micromaster I just purchased. I might also pick up some prepared slides for that "instant gratification" and to see how a prepared slide is supposed to look - but my real interest is in preparing my own. In my researching I seem to re...
by ajmckay
Thu Dec 21, 2017 7:18 am
Forum: Off Topic
Topic: Ancient fossil microorganisms indicate that life in the universe is common
Replies: 2
Views: 3227

Re: Ancient fossil microorganisms indicate that life in the universe is common

These are massively cool. Did a little bit of digging but I'm not really coming across much about where to find these (or similar fossilized microorganisms).
by ajmckay
Thu Dec 21, 2017 7:16 am
Forum: Introduce yourself
Topic: Dark Field Microscopy Trainers
Replies: 4
Views: 4244

Re: Dark Field Microscopy Trainers

Not sure what the L.B.A. river is lol. Given your further explanation of the post I suppose I'm a little confused at why a DF training course would receive negative comments? Obviously what's been written has already passed so it needn't be dredged up again - more of a rhetorical I suppose! My prior...
by ajmckay
Wed Dec 20, 2017 5:36 pm
Forum: My microscope
Topic: New (for me) Nikon S. What do do about illumination?
Replies: 11
Views: 7539

Re: New (for me) Nikon S. What do do about illumination?

Nice find! Like you, my daughter also wanted a microscope for Christmas. I've also wanted one for a while, to look at some of the microorganisms present in my aquarium. So I used this as an opportunity to pick one up :) It should be quite fun! Unfortunately my craigslist/Facebook offerings locally w...
by ajmckay
Wed Dec 20, 2017 5:47 am
Forum: Introduce yourself
Topic: New/beginner hobbyist
Replies: 29
Views: 16638

Re: New/beginner hobbyist

So it took me a few days longer than I had hoped but I ordered a microscope!! Ended up paying $160 for a Fisher Scientific "Micromaster Premier" model 12-561-327 on eBay. http://www.bostonlabco.com/uploads/2/4/5/1/24519591/right-view_orig.jpg (This isn't my actual microscope but a photo I found of t...
by ajmckay
Tue Dec 12, 2017 9:35 pm
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: Mousse
Replies: 19
Views: 8653

Re: Mousse

Nice job on these!
by ajmckay
Tue Dec 12, 2017 7:26 pm
Forum: For forum members who want to buy and sell equipment
Topic: Where to buy online at good price?
Replies: 12
Views: 6129

Re: Where to buy online at good price?

Frankqc, assuming you've received the scope by now what are your actual impressions?
by ajmckay
Tue Dec 12, 2017 4:08 pm
Forum: Introduce yourself
Topic: Dark Field Microscopy Trainers
Replies: 4
Views: 4244

Re: Dark Field Microscopy Trainers

Nice read - thanks for taking the time to write. In searching the term "darkfield" recently it seems like a lot of the results are geared toward live blood analysis services or sites that want you to buy related materials...
by ajmckay
Tue Dec 12, 2017 5:27 am
Forum: Introduce yourself
Topic: New/beginner hobbyist
Replies: 29
Views: 16638

Re: New/beginner hobbyist

Sorry it takes me a while to respond... New enough to this that I have to read each response like 4 times to fully understand!! Rather than quote/respond to each response I'll summarize by user. Hobbyist46 - Thanks for the reply. Note that while looking at coins is definitely on the table I was spea...
by ajmckay
Sun Dec 10, 2017 6:23 am
Forum: Introduce yourself
Topic: New/beginner hobbyist
Replies: 29
Views: 16638

Re: New/beginner hobbyist

... Great to have a shared interest in microscopy. If you haven't seen them yet: May I recommend the series of videos Pipa's Progress : http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/index.html?http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/pippa/members/index.html It won't answer your specific questions, but it's a wonderful i...
by ajmckay
Sat Dec 09, 2017 6:21 pm
Forum: Introduce yourself
Topic: New/beginner hobbyist
Replies: 29
Views: 16638

New/beginner hobbyist

So I definitely do not need any new hobbies LOL... But my 7yr old daughter wants a microscope for Christmas and I've wanted to dabble for years so regardless of how interested she gets I believe I will have fun with this hobby. My goals for the hobby: - Experience my Saltwater Aquarium in a new way ...