Microscopes and Computers

[dgibsman]

I am new to microscopy, so please forgive all these questions. I am going to buy my first compound microscope, and I just want to be sure that I understand the terms used in the microscope descriptions.
Can all microscopes be connected to a computer? Are some microscopes designed to only be connected to a special monitor? What is meant by a digital microscope? On the Amscope website, some microscopes are called digital microscopes, and other microscopes that look the same to me are just called microscopes. It is very confusing.

Thanks for your patience and your help.

[75RR]

This Microscopy FAQ by forum member carlh6902 should prove useful: https://drive.google.com/file/d/19GrLTD ... 9XXbC/view

[Alexander]

A "digital microscope" is essentially some camera with a screen or a computer connection.

Why would one want to connect a microscope to a computer? It is pointless. What may be connected to a computer is a camera. This makes sense. No, not all microscopes have cameras. The camera is typically an extra item.

[DonSchaeffer]

The digital microscope is basically a digital camera. Some have their own screens (like small tablets), others connect to a computer via a USB port. Digital microscopes have about the same magnification as stereo microscopes--good enough to magnify visible subjects (about 30-60X). I found them useful. Compound microscopes can only be connected to a computer via an eyepiece camera or a camera connected through a camera port. They present what you would see through the eyepiece on the computer screen or monitor. many people use these instead of looking through the eyepiece, others use cameras to photograph what they see through the eyepiece. You don't hook the microscope directly to the computer--only the eyepiece camera.

[PeteM]

Higher end research microscopes will also be computer controlled for objective selection, focusing, stage movements, etc.

For the hobbyist, where the only computer connection is to a camera, I advise against getting a "digital microscope" where the camera is self-contained. The mechanism of a good microscope may still function as near-new decades later. The camera is likely to become obsolete or even defective within a few years.

[MichaelG.]

Here is an example of a true ‘digital microscope’ … DVM6 currently on offer by Leica

https://www.leica-microsystems.com/deal ... FDC-010747

MichaelG.
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Edit: __ More details here: https://www.leica-microsystems.com/prod ... eica-dvm6/

[Alexander]

Here is an example of a true ‘digital microscope’ … DVM6 currently on offer by Leica

Your "true digital microscope" is a stereo microscope with a build-in camera. Beside that, it will cost you an arm and a leg.

[BramHuntingNematodes]

Microscopes can be hooked up to computers for automated scanning which is going to be extremely useful in confocal microscopy which is a very cool technique but almost certainly beyond the technical abilities of the amateur naturalist.

[MichaelG.]

Your "true digital microscope" is a stereo microscope with a build-in camera. Beside that, it will cost you an arm and a leg.

That’s strange … it only claims to have one sensor, and it has no eyepieces
Not a stereo microscope in any ordinary sense of the term.

MichaelG.

[Scarodactyl]

Here is an example of a true ‘digital microscope’ … DVM6 currently on offer by Leica

Your "true digital microscope" is a stereo microscope with a build-in camera. Beside that, it will cost you an arm and a leg.

The dvm6 really isn't, though some of their lower end models have basically been a single light path from a stereo system.

[Alexander]

Yes, the DVM6 has no eye-pieces. The link provided above shows the S9i, a Greenough type stereo with eye-pieces and a build-in camera. The DVM6 is what I described above as essentially a camera attached to a computer.

[Scarodactyl]

The link provided above shows the S9i, a Greenough type stereo with eye-pieces and a build-in camera.

The page features both.

[MichaelG.]

The link provided above shows the S9i, a Greenough type stereo with eye-pieces and a build-in camera.

The page features both.

…. and one of the two was specifically identified in my post !!

MichaelG.

[MichaelG.]

The DVM6 is what I described above as essentially a camera attached to a computer.

Or perhaps more appropriately …
The DVM6 is a microscope which uses a digital processing and display system in place of the optical eyepieces.

MichaelG.

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Edit: __ Leica’s attempt at a definition is top of their list of FAQ’s

https://www.leica-microsystems.com/prod ... -dvm6/faq/

What makes a digital microscope a digital microscope?
A digital microscope is a microscope without eyepieces. Instead of eyepieces, it has a digital camera that acquires live images which are visible on a monitor.

I think that’s good enough.

[Greg Howald]

The quality of image acquired by a digital microscope or camera is limited by its resolution and degree of magnification. There is a huge difference between a resolution of say 1900 compared to that of 3000. Be careful. I tell you from experience that it is very easy to spend a lot of money on junk.

[dgibsman]

Thank you all for your input. Now I know the difference between digital and nondigital microscopes. The information you provided is very helpful, and I appreciate the time you took to answer my questions.
D. Gibsman