I need to buy phase contrast microscope

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crossing
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I need to buy phase contrast microscope

#1 Post by crossing » Mon May 31, 2021 5:23 pm

Hello,

I live in Romania and I want to order one microscope from europe that is cheap and meets my needs. I need to see Entamoeba gingivalis and Trichomonas tenax from human oral microflora. The doctor recommends phasecontrast microscope PH3. I dont really know what is it PH3 or if higher is better because what I found doesnt have that one, but I need to see this Entamoeba gingivalis very clearly. Im not an expert but I need a good quality image, not sure what this means in microscope world :)) . I need it for myself , I have ~1000 euro budget, cheaper is better.

I found this one https://amscope.it/collections/all/prod ... 5257378993 and this ones:

https://amscope.it/products/40x-2500x-p ... 72a5&_ss=r

https://amscope.it/products/omax-40x-25 ... 72a5&_ss=r

https://amscope.it/collections/all/prod ... 5257378993

I need the camera to make pictures on how it goes over time.

Please advice for what to buy or maybe other. Some of the ones from my likns have plan PH objectives PH10X, PH40X - will those be better then PH3 or worst ?

Thank you,

Marius

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75RR
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Re: I need to buy phase contrast microscope

#2 Post by 75RR » Mon May 31, 2021 7:11 pm

.
PH3 refers to the size of the Phase annulus. PH1 being the smallest and therefore suitable for low magnification objectives, PH2 would cover medium magnification, leaving PH3 covering the highest.

In your case I would assume that your teacher was suggesting you needed between 60x and 100x objective magnification.

Total magnification is obtained by multiplying the objective magnification by the eyepiece magnification.

Beware anyone offering more than a 16x eyepiece - it is a marketing scam! (I note that all your links offer a 25x)

10x is the norm. So your teacher was effectively saying that between 600x and 1000x total magnification would be enough.
Zeiss Standard WL (somewhat fashion challenged) & Wild M8
Olympus E-P2 (Micro Four Thirds Camera)

MichaelG.
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Re: I need to buy phase contrast microscope

#3 Post by MichaelG. » Mon May 31, 2021 8:21 pm

You will probably find this rather ‘heavy going’ Marius ... but it’s a good introduction to the various types of Phase Contrast:
https://www.microscopyu.com/techniques/ ... figuration

At least skim through it.

MichaelG.
Too many 'projects'

apochronaut
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Re: I need to buy phase contrast microscope

#4 Post by apochronaut » Mon May 31, 2021 11:29 pm

There is a very knowledgable microscope enthusiast in Romania who might be able to help you. I know Romania is a big country but having someone reasonably local to help you thread the needle might help a lot. He probably understands the market in Romania well. I will contact him if you wish and see if he can help. Let me know.

crossing
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Re: I need to buy phase contrast microscope

#5 Post by crossing » Tue Jun 01, 2021 5:34 am

Thank you , so none of my links fit my needs ?

crossing
Posts: 5
Joined: Mon May 31, 2021 5:18 pm

Re: I need to buy phase contrast microscope

#6 Post by crossing » Tue Jun 01, 2021 5:36 am

apochronaut wrote:
Mon May 31, 2021 11:29 pm
There is a very knowledgable microscope enthusiast in Romania who might be able to help you. I know Romania is a big country but having someone reasonably local to help you thread the needle might help a lot. He probably understands the market in Romania well. I will contact him if you wish and see if he can help. Let me know.
Yes, please

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75RR
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Re: I need to buy phase contrast microscope

#7 Post by 75RR » Tue Jun 01, 2021 7:31 am

crossing wrote:
Tue Jun 01, 2021 5:34 am
Thank you , so none of my links fit my needs ?
Out of the links you provided only this one: https://www.microbehunter.com/microscop ... 5&p=104711

has a 100x Phase objective. The rest max out at 40x

You will also notice that it is over the €1000 budget limit you mentioned.
Zeiss Standard WL (somewhat fashion challenged) & Wild M8
Olympus E-P2 (Micro Four Thirds Camera)

crossing
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Joined: Mon May 31, 2021 5:18 pm

Re: I need to buy phase contrast microscope

#8 Post by crossing » Tue Jun 01, 2021 8:14 am

75RR wrote:
Tue Jun 01, 2021 7:31 am
crossing wrote:
Tue Jun 01, 2021 5:34 am
Thank you , so none of my links fit my needs ?
Out of the links you provided only this one: https://www.microbehunter.com/microscop ... 5&p=104711

has a 100x Phase objective. The rest max out at 40x

You will also notice that it is over the €1000 budget limit you mentioned.
Even if its achromatic and not plan ?

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75RR
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Re: I need to buy phase contrast microscope

#9 Post by 75RR » Tue Jun 01, 2021 8:56 am

crossing wrote:
Tue Jun 01, 2021 8:14 am
Even if its achromatic and not plan ?
Plan does not necessarily provide a better image (though that depends a bit on the manufacturer) it just provides a flatter one.

If you want a better image you have to go to fluar (or its equivalent), all this increases costs.
Zeiss Standard WL (somewhat fashion challenged) & Wild M8
Olympus E-P2 (Micro Four Thirds Camera)

crossing
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Re: I need to buy phase contrast microscope

#10 Post by crossing » Fri Jun 18, 2021 7:51 am

WIll that microscope allow me to also see lymphocytes B and T ?

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patta
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Re: I need to buy phase contrast microscope

#11 Post by patta » Fri Jun 18, 2021 10:53 am

I'd recommend (always) to get a second-hand microscope.
Large choice of ex-professional instruments, within your budget and even less. Then, you can resell the microscope at the same price you've bought it; not so for if you buy a new, mid-low range instrument.
It will need a bit of time to find it, then to adjust illumination, mount the camera etc. But well worth IMHO.

Also, stay local; best if you find one in Romania. Will save BIG bucks in shipping and import taxes.
Take some time to search in all second-hand ads local websites; as well as repairers/resellers. In your country there surely are heaps of old Lomo, PZO and Zeiss Jena microscopes, being discarded by universities and laboratories. Maybe a fine Meopta! They may seem antiquate but are likely better than the Amscope you've linked; and with your budget you can afford to get one in mint conditions with many accessories. Maybe in your city!

Below just an example; more searching, more will pop up. 100x, yes. Plan? Ortho! Maybe a bit worn, but when new, just the eyepieces of this example were likely more expensive than a whole Amscope.
https://www.mikroskop-online.de/mikrosk ... nkontrast/

Amscope vs Orthoplan! Same price! Slightly different weight.
Last edited by patta on Sat Jun 19, 2021 9:56 am, edited 20 times in total.

apochronaut
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Re: I need to buy phase contrast microscope

#12 Post by apochronaut » Fri Jun 18, 2021 11:01 am

crossing wrote:
Tue Jun 01, 2021 5:36 am
apochronaut wrote:
Mon May 31, 2021 11:29 pm
There is a very knowledgable microscope enthusiast in Romania who might be able to help you. I know Romania is a big country but having someone reasonably local to help you thread the needle might help a lot. He probably understands the market in Romania well. I will contact him if you wish and see if he can help. Let me know.
Yes, please
I sent his email to you in messages.

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