Microscope (Beginner type)

[IvaniaAreas]

Hello everyone!

Just a bit curious about what kind of microscope I should get? I am interested in buying something that is decent quality but not break the bank . I intend on using my microscope for academic purposes. The kind I have used in the classroom have been 5x, 10x, 50x, and 100x magnification which I like, but I do wonder if I need something better? Not really sure what to look for when buying a microscope. Let me know what you guys think. Thank you.

[wporter]

Forum guru PeteM lives near the Bay Area, so would know what is available near you, and has also put together a very nice comprehensive pdf on microscope brands that he will provide if you ask him. Also the subject has been dealt with many times here, you might try searching the forum for similar posts.

[BramHuntingNematodes]

The kind I have used in the classroom have been 5x, 10x, 50x, and 100x magnification which I like, but I do wonder if I need something better? Not really sure what to look for when buying a microscope. Let me know what you guys think. Thank you.

I assume these are the factors marked on the objective lenses, in which case that's about as high as light microscopes go. If these are the actual magnifications you are looking through a stereo microscope and, again, these magnifications are just fine in that application, around the limit for introductory level stereo scopes. The things to consider would be the quality of the optics that produce the magnification, the ergonomics of the stand, the convenience with which images can be captured, and the facility to adapt to other contrast or imaging techniques. The list mentioned might be useful. If you are a "hands on" kind of person you could get a perfectly serviceable if not sexy scope like this :

https://www.ebay.com/itm/American-Optic ... ondition=4

for less than $40 while you follow along with this book

https://archive.org/details/beginnersgu ... 0/mode/2up

and maybe the tutorials and videos from this site.

[BramHuntingNematodes]

I would also read the first section of peter Gray's Handbook about the microscope:

https://archive.org/details/handbookofb ... 5/mode/2up

[IvaniaAreas]

Forum guru PeteM lives near the Bay Area, so would know what is available near you, and has also put together a very nice comprehensive pdf on microscope brands that he will provide if you ask him. Also the subject has been dealt with many times here, you might try searching the forum for similar posts.

Nice! thank you. Ill check it out

[IvaniaAreas]

The kind I have used in the classroom have been 5x, 10x, 50x, and 100x magnification which I like, but I do wonder if I need something better? Not really sure what to look for when buying a microscope. Let me know what you guys think. Thank you.

I assume these are the factors marked on the objective lenses, in which case that's about as high as light microscopes go. If these are the actual magnifications you are looking through a stereo microscope and, again, these magnifications are just fine in that application, around the limit for introductory level stereo scopes. The things to consider would be the quality of the optics that produce the magnification, the ergonomics of the stand, the convenience with which images can be captured, and the facility to adapt to other contrast or imaging techniques. The list mentioned might be useful. If you are a "hands on" kind of person you could get a perfectly serviceable if not sexy scope like this :

https://www.ebay.com/itm/American-Optic ... ondition=4

for less than $40 while you follow along with this book

https://archive.org/details/beginnersgu ... 0/mode/2up

and maybe the tutorials and videos from this site.

yes, it was the objective lense that were the 5x, 10x, 50x, 100x (ocular piece was 10x). Im not sure if I am very savvy with tinkering with scopes just yet...who knows though, this forum may just steer me in a new for messing with scopes. Pretty sweet book you linked by the way, I'll give that a more in depth read when I can but just skimming through it I can tell that it is right up my ally. Ive seen some microscopes on amazon for around $200. I am not sure if its worth the money though.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014AZUEH4/re ... ljaz10cnVl

Looks decent enough and is on par with what I've been using in the classroom (except its not a fancy Nikon haha)