Camera advice requested

Do you have any microscopy questions, which you are afraid to ask? This is your place.
Post Reply
Message
Author
AuntieAunty
Posts: 5
Joined: Mon Dec 19, 2022 8:17 pm

Camera advice requested

#1 Post by AuntieAunty » Wed Dec 21, 2022 5:24 pm

So I got a fun cheap USB 2 camera (Swift EP5) for my Microcosmos microscope and it's been great, having lots of fun streaming it on twitch!
But I notice the frame rate left something to be desired (around 15fps). For me, streaming is the big draw in using a camera, so a higher fps USB camera is ideal so my viewers can see close to what I see moving around in the eyepiece.

I've seen from a lot of posts that ToupCams are probably the best USB cameras (and are likely what most of the other brands rebrand anyway), though I haven't had much success finding a retailer for straight up ToupCams in the USA (plenty abroad), other than aliexpress.com? (after I did a search for the model numbers that interested me from ToupTek).

The E3CMOS01200KPA with its Sony sensor has caught my eye (and is within my budget), and claims 60fps@1280x960, which sounds great for my streaming needs! But as I'm still a newbie to all this, I was hoping to get either confirmation that this is good for what I want it for, or if there are better options for a USB camera with a decent fps rate that doesn't require a C-mount.

Thank you!

For an example of my current camera (and its low fps rate), here's a beautiful Rotifer I managed to find!

User avatar
blekenbleu
Posts: 299
Joined: Tue Feb 25, 2020 5:55 pm
Location: South Carolina low country
Contact:

Re: Camera advice requested

#2 Post by blekenbleu » Wed Dec 21, 2022 7:20 pm

Did you watch Oliver's USB Microscope Camera review?

If you are used to 5MP, then 1280x960 might be disappointing.
USB video cameras for microscopy typically use C-mount optics.
If the 23.2mm eyepiece optic can be unscrewed from your Swift EP5,
perhaps it has a C-mount that fits faster USB-3 video C-mount cameras having the same sensor size.
This one claims 1920x1080@60fps:
https://www.aliexpress.com/i/2251832677729750.html
Metaphot, Optiphot 1, 66; AO 10, 120, EPIStar, Cycloptic

AuntieAunty
Posts: 5
Joined: Mon Dec 19, 2022 8:17 pm

Re: Camera advice requested

#3 Post by AuntieAunty » Wed Dec 21, 2022 7:46 pm

Ooo, thanks for the video, I'll check it out!

And unfortunately, the little camera I have uses a mini-usb port, and they simply do not make mini usb to USB 3.0 (mini usb is too outdated). So it's stuck with USB 2.0 and its slower data transfer rate. And unfortunately my microscope does not have a c-mount, so that will sadly not work (stereo eyepieces only, no vertical c-mount shaft).

I'll look into the other one you linked too, thank you!

User avatar
blekenbleu
Posts: 299
Joined: Tue Feb 25, 2020 5:55 pm
Location: South Carolina low country
Contact:

Re: Camera advice requested

#4 Post by blekenbleu » Wed Dec 21, 2022 8:56 pm

AuntieAunty wrote:
Wed Dec 21, 2022 7:46 pm
the little camera I have uses a mini-usb port
Most of that little camera is optics.
I wonder whether it is possible to unscrew those optics from the USB part.
If so, that screw interface might well be C-mount,
which is used by many optics that fit into 23.2mm microscope eye tubes.
c-mount.jpg
c-mount.jpg (51.21 KiB) Viewed 1130 times
Metaphot, Optiphot 1, 66; AO 10, 120, EPIStar, Cycloptic

Scarodactyl
Posts: 2760
Joined: Sat Mar 03, 2018 9:09 pm

Re: Camera advice requested

#5 Post by Scarodactyl » Wed Dec 21, 2022 9:03 pm

Probably not for an eyepiece camera.

Post Reply