Using a Surveillance Video Camera on a Binocular Microscope

[sstephenson]

I have an Olympus CH2 binocular microscope that I would like to attach a video surveillance camera to for "live view" imaging. The video camera has C-thread once the lens is removed. The microscope uses the Olympus CWHK 10x eyepiece. How can I couple an eyepiece or eyepiece to the video camera? I'm guessing I'll need an adapter with a reducing lens since I believe the camera has a 1/3 inch sensor. Any help is greatly appreciated!

[hkv]

Hi,

You may find this link useful:

http://www.alanwood.net/photography/oly ... scope.html

I believe the CH2 have the same tube length as the BH2, so you may get those adapters to work.

[lorez]

If you want to attach the surveillance camera to the binocular tube you will need a c-mount eyepiece tube. There are a couple of styles; one which fits into the tube like the eyepiece and has the c-mount thread and another that fits over the tube and also has the c-mount thread. Neither have any lenses so you will be limited in the field that the camera can 'see'. The design that fits into the tube is the better of the two, in my opinion, because it fits all the standard inside diameters. While the second design would be no problem for the Olympus CH it may not fit something like an AO10.

lorez

[sstephenson]

Hi guys. Thank you very much for your replies. Very informative.

I had a conversation with someone locally who suggested this route:
1) To the camera attach a Focusable Digital Camera Lens with C-mount Thread (2290-781 from Moticam) This adapter has a built-in reducing lens specifically designed for a camera with a 1/3" sensor (similar models available for different chip sizes).
2) Between the c-mount adapter (above) and the microscope eyepiece, use Eyepiece Coupler 2290-752

These parts can be found here: https://www.tedpella.com/cameras_html/camera1.htm

[Wayofwater]

I recently picked up an old CCTV camera on Ebay that came with a 16mm lens and the adapter to fit in on a microscope as was stated in the sale info...

Scroll down the page a bit to see it... http://www.ebay.ca/itm/261798480688?_tr ... EBIDX%3AIT

It was a horrible image on my big screen TV looking something like a 70`s school slide projector show that was put up on the gym wall...

But after stumbling onto this posting and reading the c mount adapter idea and looking into my parts box I found my Amscope came with the c mount adapter :]

It is by fare 100% superior to use the C mount adapter as you bypass the lens and use only the sensor of the camera, I have it running through an analogue to HDMi converter and the image is very crisp on my 47 inch TV !

Here is the converter I`m using
http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00M6BH ... ge_o00_s00


I also tried Darkfield using the 40x objective but it was not lighting up on the screen, but looks very promising when using the 100x oil objective.

I`m low cedar oil so the view was blurry due to me using castor oil with the objective but it light up no problem...

Just to clear up the oil thing, I use castor oil for darkfiled but ONLY when I want to use just the Darkfield condenser alone and not the oil objective.

If I use the oil objective and the oil condenser with the castor oil it blurs everything out of focus.

If I want to use the oil objective with the oil condenser I need to use the cedar tree oil.

I think it also works if you use castor oil just with the oil objective but not the oil condenser from what I remember...

Castor oil is very cheap and can be found at your local pharma or health store...

If you are wondering I`m using the Amscope 40X-2000X Lab Trinocular Biological Compound Microscope T490B

Thank you microbe hunter for this forum and the person who shared the insight about the C mount adapter,

Cheers

[Wayofwater]

I should also mention that the camera I bought has 4 switches on the back that when turned on allow me to see in Darkfeild, I have no idea what they do other than they allow me to see in low light...

Cheers.

[gekko]

Wayofwater, welcome to the forum and thank you for your interesting and helpful post.

[The QCC]

allow me to see in Darkfeild,

WayOfWater:

The camera does not allow you to see Darkfield illumination, it allows you to see in low light situations.
Darkfield is achieved using special Darkfield stops below or in the condenser.

Just being nit picky.

Welcome to the forum.