Search found 124 matches

by RobBerdan
Fri Aug 28, 2020 2:05 am
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: The best Camera for Photomicrography
Replies: 25
Views: 12157

The best Camera for Photomicrography

I have posted an article on my web site where my son and I tested 4 different dedicated cameras for photomicrography 1) AMscope 3MP 2) Zeiss Axiocam 5MP 3) Moticam 5.5 MP and 4) Rising Cam 20 MP camera. We also tested 3 Cells phones a) Iphones 5s b) Samsung Galaxy IIIS and c) Google Pixel 3. These w...
by RobBerdan
Sun Aug 09, 2020 4:12 am
Forum: Camera systems and imaging
Topic: For fluorescence microscopy, specialized microscope camera or DSLR?
Replies: 8
Views: 9157

Re: For fluorescence microscopy, specialized microscope camera or DSLR?

I realize this post is over a year old, but I feel compelled to answer it. I own a Fluorescence microscope Nikon Optiphot as well several other scopes. I have been testing different models of dedicated cameras including Zeiss, AM systems, Moticom and Rising Cam. The Rising cam offers 20 MP and is th...
by RobBerdan
Thu Aug 06, 2020 4:09 am
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: Diatom 640X Oblique Illumination
Replies: 41
Views: 18860

Re: Diatom 640X Oblique Illumination

I am fortunate to own a DIC microscope, it costs a lot, but after many years I just decided I wanted to own a scope with this technique and I use it frequently, but its cost > $10,000 which puts it out of reach of many. I have seen some really good Oblique lighting photos and I have played with the ...
by RobBerdan
Fri Jul 03, 2020 2:01 am
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: Cyanobacteria in Freshwater ponds
Replies: 6
Views: 2803

Cyanobacteria in Freshwater ponds

Cyanobacteria used to be called blue-green algae, but they are related to bacteria - procaryotes which lack a nucleus and fossil evidence suggests they have been around for over 3 billion years. They produced the earth's first oxygen. Some species are able to produce potent toxins. I have always bee...
by RobBerdan
Tue Jun 09, 2020 2:01 am
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: Fresh water diatoms
Replies: 19
Views: 8343

Re: Fresh water diatoms

Very nice crisp DIC images Charles showing lots of internal detail.
Cheers
RB
by RobBerdan
Mon Jun 01, 2020 3:35 am
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: Rheinberg filters and other Techniques
Replies: 4
Views: 3035

Rheinberg filters and other Techniques

Rheinberg filters have been around a long time. You can make them your self or purchase a set on E-bay for about $30. These simple filters can add colour contrast with almost any microscope. I am attaching some photos using a variety of techniques, polarization, bright field, dark-field, DIC, Rheinb...
by RobBerdan
Wed May 27, 2020 8:15 pm
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: How to do Polarization Microscopy
Replies: 7
Views: 2997

Re: How to do Polarization Microscopy

Hi I watched your video, it is very well done with lots of good information. Videos take a lot of time in my experience though I hope to be doing more in the future myself. I like how you made the microscope cover come off :-) One of the things in polarization microscopy that can really enhance the ...
by RobBerdan
Wed May 27, 2020 7:42 pm
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: Chaoborus - Phantom Midge Fly Larva
Replies: 4
Views: 2302

Chaoborus - Phantom Midge Fly Larva

A few weeks ago I posted some images of Chaoborus the phantom midge fly larva also called a Glassworm because of its transparency. I continued to photograph the pupa, its prey and made a movie of rotifers living on the Chaoborus. I just posted an article about the biology of this organism along with...
by RobBerdan
Thu May 14, 2020 2:21 am
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: Fragilaria
Replies: 13
Views: 4849

Re: Fragilaria

Very high quality images - nice job!
RB
by RobBerdan
Thu May 14, 2020 2:19 am
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: Is This Algae or a Worm?
Replies: 4
Views: 2818

Re: Is This Algae or a Worm?

I smiled when I saw your question. I agree they are blue-green algae also called cyano-bacteria. Oscillatoria is most likely the genus. I see a variety of motile blue green algae in pond water often and it is fascinating to watch. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oscillatoria on Wikipedia. I think ...
by RobBerdan
Tue May 12, 2020 12:55 am
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: Arachnoidiscus ehrenbergi
Replies: 16
Views: 6341

Re: Arachnoidiscus

Beautiful detail in the Diatom - thanks for sharing.
RB
by RobBerdan
Mon May 11, 2020 7:59 pm
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: Mothers Day Pond Collecting
Replies: 0
Views: 1247

Mothers Day Pond Collecting

Since the pond ice melted 2 weeks ago, I have been visiting the ponds each weekend and collecting protists, water beetles and anything else that is interesting. I hope to keep this up throughout the summer as the abundance of organisms changes drastically even over one week as does the species that ...
by RobBerdan
Mon May 11, 2020 7:37 pm
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: spring'2020 bear hunt with questions'.
Replies: 27
Views: 10856

Re: spring'2020 bear hunt with questions'.

Hi - I have only found a few water bears so far this year collected from lichen growing on a mountain ash tree in my yard. I have found two species living there and also found the epizoic peritrich ciliates growing on some and show pictures of Pyxidium tardigradum growing on Ramazzottius oberhaeuser...
by RobBerdan
Tue May 05, 2020 3:17 am
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: Phantom Midge Chaoborus crystallinus
Replies: 8
Views: 3829

Re: Phantom Midge Chaoborus crystallinus

All the specimens are just in pond water with a coverlip on top.
Cheers
RB
by RobBerdan
Tue May 05, 2020 2:50 am
Forum: Microscopy accessories
Topic: The most important microscope accessory
Replies: 11
Views: 6471

Re: The most important microscope accessory

Ah .... but what is the second most important microscope accessory? Could it be a microscope cover? Could it be a anti-vibration padding - I use 1\4 inch rubber matts used in gyms that I buy at the hardware store and cut to size. Could it be a very bright even light source for the microscope, I used...
by RobBerdan
Tue May 05, 2020 2:16 am
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: Epi-Fluorescence Microscopy and Deconvolution
Replies: 19
Views: 7703

Re: Epi-Fluorescence Microscopy and Deconvolution

Greg Benz describes a technique for Deconvolution sharpening in Camera RAW. What I do is open the image in Photoshop Camera Raw and adjust the Black, clarity, Haze an texture sliders to improve clarity. I reduce the luminance noise to reduce grain. I may adjust the vibrance, and saturation a little ...
by RobBerdan
Mon May 04, 2020 8:35 pm
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: Vaginicola
Replies: 10
Views: 4645

Re: Vaginicola

Nice video using DIC microscopy.
Cheers
RB
by RobBerdan
Mon May 04, 2020 8:33 pm
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: Wierd behaivor from unknown microorganism
Replies: 6
Views: 3114

Re: Wierd behaivor from unknown microorganism

HI I agree the organism is too small in the video - with a 63X objective you should be able to zoom in more. Also try hold your cell phone side ways, and if you would like to do more consider attaching a digital camera either a dedicated microscope camera eg. form AMscopes.com or get a phone holder ...
by RobBerdan
Mon May 04, 2020 8:30 pm
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: Actinocyclus subtilis
Replies: 18
Views: 6280

Re: Actinocyclus subtilis

Very nice DIC images!
RB
by RobBerdan
Mon May 04, 2020 8:27 pm
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: Phantom Midge Chaoborus crystallinus
Replies: 8
Views: 3829

Phantom Midge Chaoborus crystallinus

The phantom midge fly larva is a fierce predator of Daphnia, Copepods and Ciliates found in freshwater ponds. I first encountered them this weekend and tried a number of different photographic techniques. Because of their large size I needed to make panoramas to capture the entire organism. I also t...
by RobBerdan
Mon May 04, 2020 8:15 pm
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: Epi-Fluorescence Microscopy and Deconvolution
Replies: 19
Views: 7703

Re: Epi-Fluorescence Microscopy and Deconvolution

I have been testing different deconvolution programs, some of them very expensive and so far I have been able to do as good, sometimes better using Photoshop. I have added some comparisions to my article. I also found that Nikon NIS elements offers a web site where you can drag and drop a .TIF file,...
by RobBerdan
Thu Apr 30, 2020 3:11 am
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: Epi-Fluorescence Microscopy and Deconvolution
Replies: 19
Views: 7703

Re: Epi-Fluorescence Microscopy and Deconvolution

Hi to do deconvolution in Image J you need to get a plug in and download - here is the link, read how to install the plugin -it is straight forward - https://imagej.net/Deconvolution I have only seen deconvolution used for fluorescence and confocal microscopy. On photomacrography.net Rogelio Moreno ...
by RobBerdan
Tue Apr 28, 2020 5:56 pm
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: First Photo of a Microbe
Replies: 8
Views: 4186

Re: First Photo of a Microbe

HI - it looks like Chydorus sp , not a Daphnid - Nice photo. There are lots of books on Freshwater aquatic organisms with keys on the web for free and also for sale. Some references online (1959) W.T. Edmonson (ed) Fresh Water Biology 2nd edition, John Wiley. NY pg 420-507 - read online version free...
by RobBerdan
Tue Apr 28, 2020 5:49 pm
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: Micro stonemasons. Difflugia.
Replies: 21
Views: 8570

Re: Micro stonemasons. Difflugia.

Very nice photos.
RB
by RobBerdan
Tue Apr 28, 2020 5:48 pm
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: A documentation of a beautiful Rotifer colony!
Replies: 6
Views: 3080

Re: A documentation of a beautiful Rotifer colony!

Vert nice movie of the rotifer colony, I have been looking for these critters and found lots of other rotifers, but not these ones yet.
RB
by RobBerdan
Tue Apr 28, 2020 2:12 am
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: The Microscope as Surealist Painter
Replies: 6
Views: 3112

Re: The Microscope as Surealist Painter

HI Don - I posted an article on Science & Art that you might find of interest.

http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/art ... ce-Art.pdf

Cheers
RB
by RobBerdan
Tue Apr 28, 2020 1:58 am
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: Epi-Fluorescence Microscopy and Deconvolution
Replies: 19
Views: 7703

Re: Epi-Fluorescence Microscopy and Deconvolution

I will try to answer your questions: 1.The dependance of NA on brightness in some publications is to the 4th power, others to the square - the important thing is that higher NA results in much brighter images which is why I have been attempting to purchase objectives with the highest NA I can afford...
by RobBerdan
Mon Apr 27, 2020 8:41 pm
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: Epi-Fluorescence Microscopy and Deconvolution
Replies: 19
Views: 7703

Epi-Fluorescence Microscopy and Deconvolution

Flourescence microscopy often introduces out of focus blur and haze and I have been experimenting with various techniques to reduce this haze. I stained Prototists with Acridine orange and compared processing with Photoshop, Image J (free software) and a trial version of Huygens Deconvolution. My re...
by RobBerdan
Tue Apr 21, 2020 4:03 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Nikon Camera Lucida help required
Replies: 4
Views: 2285

Nikon Camera Lucida help required

I recently purchased a Nikon camera lucida from Ebay and I thought it would be straight forward to use - attach it above the objective turret and below the trinocular head, focus and use it to make a tracing. However I am not getting any light output to a a piece of paper. I turn the lights off in t...
by RobBerdan
Sun Apr 19, 2020 6:10 pm
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: Flluorescence microscopy of various Protists
Replies: 1
Views: 1055

Flluorescence microscopy of various Protists

Below are several images of Acridine orange stained protists taken with an older Nikon Optiphot microscope, most with 20X Nikon Fluore objective NA 0.75 and a Mercury vapour lamp using Blue excitation (420-485 nm). Recorded with a Nikon D500 camera at ISO 800.