MicrobeHunter.com Microscopy Forum

Thank you 'one and all' for your valued input, it has been much appreciated. Prior to starting this 'thread' I had e-mailed Brunel microscopes,from whom I had purchased the SP100 compound micrscope, to ask about a particular stereo microscope in their range. Just as I did here, I explained what I wa...

What I really need is an LM Macroscope :D Given what you guys say, which is supported by several technical articles that I have now read, I am perplexed as to why there are so many new triocular stereo microscopes for sale, if they are photographicaly inferior. Are they just used for 'rough and read...

Well, there is some 'thinking material' there Viktor, thank you. I do have a 4x plan/160 objective on the SP100 scope, and yes I could mount that on bellows, or an extension tube, but then I have to consider how to mount, and illuminate the specimen. Also, how to mount, and focus the camera. I guess...

Hmm!!, you guys have got me thinking now, and that imaging through a stereo microscope might be a bit disappointing to me as serious amateur photographer :? I was only thinking of spending around £500 on a scope (new of course ;) ), so perhaps getting low power plan objective for the main scope, say...

Thanks for that info 'scaro'.

Yes Bob, it would basically be an extension of my macro photography, into the realm of 'extreme macro. I would use the same APS-C DSLR that I use with the compound microscope. I know to avoid twin objective Greenough design, as apparently this is not ideal for photography, and the CMO design which u...

Hmm!!, I think it wise to opt for a Trioc John. I have to say, that I have only ever seen pictures of Smart Phones attached to the eyepiece tube on a stereo scope. So having made that decision, the next consideration is, a stereo scope with fixed magnification, or one of the zoom variety. As a photo...

My Full Frame EOS 5d MklV most certainly would be, but I bought a lightweight EOS 4000d (APS-C) specifically for use with my triocular compound microscope, so maybe it might be a possibility with a stereo scope. I'll interested in what the guys here are using, if they have a stereo scope.

Hi Adrian, and welcome.

I am considering adding a Stereo Microscope to compliment my high power Triocular Compound Microscope. For imaging purposes, do I need to buy a more expensive Triocular model, or can you get by with a binocular model, by substituting one eyepiece with a camera. I would plan to use my EOS 4000d DSLR,...

Thanks for that Dave. I was about to make a dummy battery and install it using a similar slot for the cable, something I've previously done on a camcorder for my son. I didn't realize that dummy batteries were commercially available but will certainly make use of one now. Tom W. This is the one I b...

Thanks Bob, Michael, 'scaro', David, and Viktor, for your input. Much appreciated. I do have a server based photo storage facility at Google Photos, but only use this for my micro images, and these experimental ones weren't worth saving. I won't use the GIF format anymore for direct uploads, but 'Sa...

I bought an EOS 4000d camera, specifically for use with the microscope, because while not expensive, it has a 18Mp APS-C sensor, is relatively small, made of lightweight plastic, unlike my EOS 5d MklV, which is big, heavy, and expensive. Using the 4000d on battery was likely to prove a bit of a pain...

That is true Viktor, but we only get 512k here for images. I resized the jpegs down three times and they were still too big, so I got fed up with it, and GIF'd them

Thanks Michael, certainly a step forward, room for improvement, but encouraging.

Some success with Picolay. 14 images taken at different focus points, and stacked Two images shown, one of the individual images from the un-stacked bunch, and one with the 14 images stacked in Picolay. I have shrunk them down to small GIFs for direct posting here. There is some false colour aberrat...

Thanks for that info Viktor, much appreciated.

It was a quick 'rough & ready' assessment, with what I could lay may hands on at the time, and a dead wasp just happened be on the window ledge (lol). I have 30 days to try Helicon, will likely get the same with Zerene, and of course, I have the free Picolay. I might even try CombineZP, another 'fre...

It has to be worth a try Michael, albeit from what I read from various reviews, there seems to be little to choose between Helicon and Zerene. Having CS6 I really don't need all the processing bits that Zerene and Helicon offer, more a simple alignment and stacking program. Maybe given that Helicon ...

Hmm!!, better alignment with Helicon, but not impressed with the final stacked image. I'll look to find a different specimen, and have another 'play' tomorrow.

Well, I gave it a try Bob, and it made a brave effort but there was a lot of misaligned detail in the final stacked image. Maybe I was expecting too much of it, as the variation in focus points across image, was quite significant. I found a dead Wasp. pulled off a wing, and put it on a slide, under ...

Thanks Bob, well it costs nothing to try it then

I note from previous discussions that some people like Helicon, while others like Zerene, but none of them are as cheap as the Picolay that you suggest.

I note that this subject was discussed here back in 2018, resulting in some mixed opinions. As there will have been much water passed under the bridge since then, I am very interested in the current thinking among you guys, when it comes to stacking software. I have Photoshop CS6, and Lightroom 5. I...

Thanks John, I look forward 'putting it through it's paces'

The Brunel SP100 arrived today, my initial impressions are, well engineered, and solidly built. The focus control is very positive, and very smooth, with a very comfortable to use fine focus control. The Stage and Condenser controls, are equally positive an smooth. The Plan objectives produce visual...

Have a look at my 'thread[ at http://www.microbehunter.com/microscopy-forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=7628&start=150 It follows my journey through the trials and tribulations along the road to being able to successfully image via the 'photo tube' of a Trioc microscope. Its a very long 'thread', but the so...

No, I didn't notice the date, but no harm done, and the moral of the story is still valid.

As for not noticing the date of the original 'Thread', put that down to a 'senior moment'.

Hi Mark, and welcome, from another relative newcomer to the hobby. Also a one time, a serious astro-imager, which sadly I had to give up (https://davesimaging.wixsite.com/mysite)

BTW, don't be put off by the fact that there are only a handful of members here, that will bother to say hello.

Steady on guys, or this could end like many Facebook Groups, that mimic the "Jeremy Kyle Show"

Apologies to our non UK members who wouldn't understand the reference to the Jeremy Kyle show.

My first Microscope was purchased around 1957/58, and it cost £12. Can't remember the name, but it was all metal construction, and step above the toy plastic ones. At this time I was earning around £4 per week, so it was 3 weeks wages to buy it :o My biggest fascination was putting some Hay in a bow...