Newbie to it all :)

[zzffnn]

Jay,

There is specific features for each brand/model and I am only familiar with Nikon. From Nikon, I recommend Optiphot. Labophot has less expendability, so I won't recommend it.

Many older Leitz scopes have 170mm tube length, so you may not want them to be your first scopes. Get their newer 160mm tube length models. I don't know specific model names.

I heard Zeiss WL or Photomicroscope has great expendability. Not sure about anything below Standard 18. Ask member 75RR.

The version of Olympus BH2 that has high power light source is very nice too. But I cannot remember its specific model name.

Basically, if you like tinker and mix-match, newer 160mm tube length models are best for you as first scopes. Some AO/Reichert Infinity scope (which have objectives with symbols that looks like 8 lying down) can work with other brands' infinity objectives, but they are not probably easy to repair for beginners.

You local university/hospital surplus sale may provide some great deals (that are better than eBay or retail), if you know what you are looking for and its market value.

[hkv]

If you like to play around with nuts and bolts and enjoy configuring and reconfiguring stuff, I would recommend buying a used microscope of a reputable brand like Olympus, Zeiss, Nikon, Leitz, etc. Then, ebay is your friend and you can build and expand your scope for years to come. If you want ready-out-of-the-box and warranties I would go with a new scope like offered by Amscope and similar vendors.

A few things that pop up in my head:

I would start with objectives of approx. magnifications 4x, 10x, 20x and 40x. Possible also 100X (oil).
10X eyepieces is enough. You will not need 15 or 20X for any reasonable purpose.
A binocular head is great so you don't have look through one eye only.
Camera adapter/port is very useful if you want to take pictures. You could take pictures through the eyepieces, but is more of a hassle. (A dual head with camera port is usually called a trinoc head)
Make sure you get a condenser that at least is supporting both Brightfield and Darkfield. Darkfield is the first step upward in the lightning value chain
Phase contrast is good, but requires special objectives with phase rings. However, those objectives will work for brightfield and darkfield so it is a plus and not a showstopper for the basic illumination techniques.
DIC is expensive. Forget about DIC unless you want to spend $1500+

My experience is that special microscope cameras are overrated. Go for DSLR if you already have one. Better quality and normally better software available to control the camera.

Others may disagree and/or add insights to this list...

[zzffnn]

BHS is most the expandable from BH-2 series:
http://www.alanwood.net/downloads/olymp ... ochure.pdf

Look into Alan Wood's web page too. He is in UK and that Quekett Microscopical Club.

[hkv]

BHS is most the expandable from BH-2 series:
http://www.alanwood.net/downloads/olymp ... ochure.pdf

Look into Alan Wood's web page too. He is in UK and that Quekett microscopical club.

The BH-2 series are great scopes and have been work horses for many years. Take a look at this guy (Christian) that I believe use a BH2 to take pictures. This is what you can squeeze out of that microscope. Of course, you will have to practice (a lot) first!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/27328420@N00

[Aenima]

Awesome, thanks guys

Just what i needed, an example of the equipment, a name and model for comparison and research - excellent thank you.

BTW those images in the link look amazing, way better than i expect to manage at first, and great image quality from what i can tell.


I'll have to fully check it out later as i've got to go out now, but thank you for the links and suggestions, very helpful