Search found 101 matches

by crb5
Tue Jan 09, 2024 7:04 pm
Forum: Home-made microscope adaptations
Topic: Motorised focus on Olympus CH-2
Replies: 3
Views: 3961

Re: Motorised focus on Olympus CH-2

I used a nylon spacer, glued to the fine focus knob, with a tapped M4 hole to clamp the stepper motor shaft: https://drive.google.com/file/d/15D66volvxh3_dODwcRRYWGSkCa3XYq7u/view?usp=sharing . It is not quite concentric but the motor body rests on a stiff foam pad so that the microscope focus is no...
by crb5
Sun Jan 07, 2024 5:03 pm
Forum: Home-made microscope adaptations
Topic: Motorised focus on Olympus CH-2
Replies: 3
Views: 3961

Re: Motorised focus on Olympus CH-2

By coincidence, this week I added a $10 NEMA17 stepper motor controlled by an Arduino board to my Amscope 120 for the purpose of focus stacking. Here's a movie showing about 20 um steps (1 div on fine focus) with Isthmia plankton as an example. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Vgnbh1GP70vgvZogJ2LMPP...
by crb5
Wed Dec 06, 2023 7:51 pm
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: Microplastic found on M&M Candy
Replies: 6
Views: 1683

Re: Microplastic found on M&M Candy

Thanks for confirming
by crb5
Wed Dec 06, 2023 2:46 am
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: Microplastic found on M&M Candy
Replies: 6
Views: 1683

Re: Microplastic found on M&M Candy

Some M&Ms are available in a compostable package comprising cellulose and other plant material. Were these M&Ms from compostable or traditional plastic packaging?
by crb5
Sat Nov 11, 2023 3:29 am
Forum: Camera systems and imaging
Topic: Does anyone know the backfocal distance of the Swift M10T microscope?
Replies: 5
Views: 1117

Re: Does anyone know the backfocal distance of the Swift M10T microscope?

By back focal distance, do you mean the position of the primary image? In a 160 mm tube length microscope this would be 10 mm in from the eyepiece shoulder i.e. a USB cameras designed to fit in an eyepiece port has its sensor 10 mm into the port. So hold an eyepiece above the camera port and adjust ...
by crb5
Thu Nov 09, 2023 5:08 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: For other illumination techniques Swift is a no go?
Replies: 11
Views: 1888

Re: For other illumination techniques Swift is a no go?

I agree, the M620 does look like the monocular version of the Amscope 120. I had a similar travel problem when we visited the UK last year. I ended up buying an even cheaper scope with no proper condenser nor stage micrometers once I arrived https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09KL7DBT2/ref=ppx_yo_...
by crb5
Thu Nov 09, 2023 4:44 pm
Forum: Illumination Techniques
Topic: autoflorescence
Replies: 9
Views: 6098

Re: autoflorescence

Here is a further example to the links provided by Viktor Nilsson, using a blue LED (450 nm) flashlight (torch) and a cheap acrylic orange filter to look at chlorophyll autofluorescence with a basic microscope https://sfmicrosociety.org/features/clives-corner-8nbspan-exciting-challenge . The yellow ...
by crb5
Wed Nov 08, 2023 4:10 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: For other illumination techniques Swift is a no go?
Replies: 11
Views: 1888

Re: For other illumination techniques Swift is a no go?

I started with an Amscope 120 binocular microscope, then a year or so later realized a trinocular head would be useful. Amscope did not sell a separate trinoc head, so the cheapest option was to buy a Swift 350 trinocular scope. I switched the trinocular head to the Amscope body because I preferred ...
by crb5
Tue Nov 07, 2023 9:26 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: For other illumination techniques Swift is a no go?
Replies: 11
Views: 1888

Re: For other illumination techniques Swift is a no go?

I have both Amscope 120 and Swift 350 scopes. They are very similar optically and have interchangeable binoc/trinoc eyepieces. It is likely some parts are made in the same factory. The main difference is that the Amscope 120 has a rack and pinion gear for adjusting the condenser height which is more...
by crb5
Tue Apr 11, 2023 12:34 am
Forum: Illumination Techniques
Topic: Adding a rechargeable battery to a microscope
Replies: 1
Views: 803

Adding a rechargeable battery to a microscope

Some lower-end student microscopes come with rechargeable batteries for powering the LED light source, but not the more advanced models such as the Amscope 120 and Swift 350 compound 'scopes. As these microscopes are light enough to take into the field or use at outdoor outreach events, I thought it...
by crb5
Wed Feb 22, 2023 5:46 pm
Forum: Specimens, samples and slides
Topic: Micro Safari Aqua
Replies: 4
Views: 1314

Re: Micro Safari Aqua

I got to test one of these MicroSafari Aqua slides a few weeks ago. It is intended that the sample is observed through the 1 mm thick acrylic face, which is initially protected by a peel-off film. Maximum magnification is a 10x objective, limited by the working distance and aberrations. The gas-exch...
by crb5
Thu Jan 12, 2023 2:10 am
Forum: Resources (online, books etc.)
Topic: Citizen Microscopy
Replies: 15
Views: 4761

Re: Citizen Microscopy

A similar discussion on an Astronomy forum continued for 4 pages! https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/838554-why-so-little-love-for-amateur-microscopy/ . apochronaut » Mon Jan 09, 2023 7:35 pm Yes, I know about PMN. My point was the relative importance attached to such activities compared to space ex...
by crb5
Mon Jan 09, 2023 6:00 pm
Forum: Resources (online, books etc.)
Topic: Citizen Microscopy
Replies: 15
Views: 4761

Re: Citizen Microscopy

As Pete says, there is a network of community scientists who monitor plankton across the USA https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/science ... ation/pmn/ which involves individuals, schools and colleges.
by crb5
Fri Dec 02, 2022 1:47 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: how to adjust the condenser
Replies: 9
Views: 2477

Re: how to adjust the condenser

Having the condenser aperture a bit smaller that the objective NA gives the best xy resolution, but sometimes you want better depth of field which requires a smaller aperture. Abbe discusses this in his 1882 paper https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10. ... .tb00190.x
by crb5
Thu Aug 18, 2022 10:40 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Detection versus resolution
Replies: 8
Views: 2342

Re: Detection versus resolution

This seems like it is a phenomenon of light against a black background I think we are saying the same thing. The holes in the zero mode waveguide are being detected but are only "resolved" by a cheap objective lens because they are 10 um apart. Some forms of super-resolution microscopy use the same...
by crb5
Thu Jul 28, 2022 8:49 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Safe viewing of laser and UV light through optical scope
Replies: 15
Views: 2477

Re: Safe viewing of laser and UV light through optical scope

The hazards of uv light and visible laser light involve different physical principles. Low power laser light is potentially dangerous because the near parallel beam can be brought to focus at the back of the eye and the local high intensity can cause damage to the retina. Lasers in 3R class (visible...
by crb5
Tue Jul 05, 2022 9:23 pm
Forum: Beginner's corner
Topic: What magnification does AmScope MD130 1.3MP camera have?
Replies: 17
Views: 5969

Re: What magnification does AmScope MD130 1.3MP camera have?

by Mush » Sat Jul 02, 2022 11:50 pm :) I totally agree with crb5, that it gives 50x magnification. But I wonder why there is no way in the camera settings to adjust the magnification!!! The MD130 does not have a built-in reduction lens and its 4.6 mm sensor sits at the primary image plane which has...
by crb5
Sun Jun 26, 2022 6:51 pm
Forum: Specimens, samples and slides
Topic: Who's Using Fluorescent Markers and Tags?
Replies: 7
Views: 2232

Re: Who's Using Fluorescent Markers and Tags?

Fluorescence dyes themselves usually have only limited specificity - they may preferentially stain certain classes of materials (e.g. Nile Red for fats, oils and plastics) or be just the right size to intercalate between the bases of DNA (e.g. DAPI). The specificity seen in many scientific micrograp...
by crb5
Wed May 04, 2022 1:33 am
Forum: Beginner's corner
Topic: AmScope or Swift
Replies: 8
Views: 4802

Re: AmScope or Swift

Some parts at least are likely made in the same factory. I have an Amscope 120B and Swift 350T and have swopped the Swift trinoc head to the Amscope body as I prefer the condenser mechanism on the Amscope (vertical rack and pinion rather than helical mount). The helical mount changes the position of...
by crb5
Sat Apr 02, 2022 5:52 pm
Forum: Miscellaneous
Topic: Is there a recognised definition of ‘Microplastics’ ?
Replies: 16
Views: 7460

Re: Is there a recognised definition of ‘Microplastics’ ?

@ Hobbyst46 I agree any report about the number of microplastic particles in a given sample volume should be accompanied by a statement regarding the size range that can be captured by the net/filter or positively identified, which ever is the larger. The “problem” with fluorescence is that it can b...
by crb5
Fri Apr 01, 2022 10:56 pm
Forum: Miscellaneous
Topic: Is there a recognised definition of ‘Microplastics’ ?
Replies: 16
Views: 7460

Re: Is there a recognised definition of ‘Microplastics’ ?

There is still no agreed definition of micro- and nano-plastics. In a recent paper from Richard Thompson (a father figure in the field), he opens with a statement “Microplastics (nominally < 5 mm (Arthur et al., 2009)) and nanoplastics (<1 µm (Kershaw, 2015) or < 0.1 µm (Chain, 2016) depending on th...
by crb5
Sat Feb 26, 2022 12:13 am
Forum: Illumination Techniques
Topic: DIY Fluorescence microscopy?
Replies: 16
Views: 11125

Re: DIY Fluorescence microscopy?

You can use a cheap LED flashlight (torch) to illuminate a sample for fluorescence detection with low power objective lenses (up to about 10x which have enough working distance to shine on to the sample without casting a shadow). A laser pointer can be used for higher power objectives (up to about 4...
by crb5
Sat Feb 05, 2022 10:42 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: 3D Vision on Compound Microscopes with Shinya Inoue's Forgotten Mod
Replies: 27
Views: 6521

Re: 3D Vision on Compound Microscopes with Shinya Inoue's Forgotten Mod

Josmann - my first attempt was with a 10X objective but that is before I got hold of some double-sided tape and was using electrical tape to hold the edge of the polaroid. This was not very satisfactory as it tended to snag on the turret when the objective was screwed in, so the polaroids may have ...
by crb5
Sat Feb 05, 2022 8:19 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: 3D Vision on Compound Microscopes with Shinya Inoue's Forgotten Mod
Replies: 27
Views: 6521

Re: 3D Vision on Compound Microscopes with Shinya Inoue's Forgotten Mod

Thanks Josmann for your very clear video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6TUnvAD-Pg . I was wondering how convincing the effect might be given it depends on having a reasonable depth-of-field to get a 3D effect, so I gave it a go with my Amscope 120 with a Siedentopf head using the 4x objective ...
by crb5
Sat Jan 22, 2022 4:53 pm
Forum: Miscellaneous
Topic: Nanoimager - hi-rez microscope - but what is it?
Replies: 3
Views: 1691

Re: Nanoimager - hi-rez microscope - but what is it?

Breaking the resolution limit of light microscopy has been done in a variety of ways mostly based around the ability to image a single fluorescent dye molecule. This requires the illumination of a small volume to reduce background noise and is usually achieved using confocal or total internal reflec...
by crb5
Wed Jan 05, 2022 6:00 am
Forum: Beginner's corner
Topic: AmScope 18mp MU1803 calibration I need help bad.
Replies: 16
Views: 4390

Re: AmScope 18mp MU1803 calibration I need help bad.

One question though. If I share an image how would I describe the magnification? would I just list the objective or something else? You don't need to state the magnification if a scale bar is included on the image -but could include the objective magnification and how the camera was connected (at t...
by crb5
Wed Jan 05, 2022 3:53 am
Forum: Beginner's corner
Topic: AmScope 18mp MU1803 calibration I need help bad.
Replies: 16
Views: 4390

Re: AmScope 18mp MU1803 calibration I need help bad.

Microscope magnification can be confusing, but digital photography has made things a whole lot easier. Take a picture of your micrometer calibration slide using the same setup (objective, ocular (if used), reduction lens (if used) and camera) that you use for your sample. Then use the set scale opti...
by crb5
Tue Jan 04, 2022 4:13 pm
Forum: Illumination Techniques
Topic: Darfield masks
Replies: 3
Views: 1688

Re: Darfield masks

by crb5
Mon Jan 03, 2022 5:00 pm
Forum: Home-made microscope adaptations
Topic: DIY polarization
Replies: 28
Views: 7764

Re: DIY polarization

Sorry, I posted the wrong link - here is the one to access the polarization video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNNkdHyvhbs - just need to skip the ad.
by crb5
Mon Jan 03, 2022 1:23 am
Forum: Home-made microscope adaptations
Topic: DIY polarization
Replies: 28
Views: 7764

Re: DIY polarization

Here's a video to add to the previous suggestions: https://studio.youtube.com/video/iNNkdHyvhbs/edit