Ideas for a new microscope?

Everything relating to microscopy hardware: Objectives, eyepieces, lamps and more.
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ZodiacPhoto
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Ideas for a new microscope?

#1 Post by ZodiacPhoto » Sat Sep 24, 2022 7:26 pm

Hello,
My 1st post here.
I am looking for ideas for a relatively small and lightweight microscope that I can take along on a field trip, etc.
I am not looking for a toy scope :)
Battery power is not needed - I will have access to the grid or use DC/AC converter in my car.
Can be finite or infinity system, with opportunity for optics upgrade.
Kohler illumination is desirable, but not absolutely necessary.
Must be sturdy, not flimsy. Either used or not too expensive new (under $1,500 or so if new).
Low weight is the most important for me.
I currently have Olympus CH2 and Meiji Techno MT5200H, but I consider both too heavy for travel.
I appreciate your suggestions. Thank you!

Dennis
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Re: Ideas for a new microscope?

#2 Post by Dennis » Sat Sep 24, 2022 8:16 pm

ZodiacPhoto,

If you have access to Ebay search "field microscope."

Do you really need a light on it and not just a mirror for the sun's light?
I wouldn't think out in the field were you could gather a sample, you would need too much.

I think you can come up with something really good for around 1/4 of $1200 (used) .
Could maybe for maybe a hundred or two. Maybe get real lucky and less than that.

-Dennis

PeteM
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Re: Ideas for a new microscope?

#3 Post by PeteM » Sat Sep 24, 2022 10:00 pm

A Zeiss Standard could be configured to be a bit lighter than an Olympus CH2.

At some point (say, with most field microscopes) you begin to lose capability and convenience with a small scope. Not sure what "field trip" means - baggage fees and carry through an airport, traipsing through a field, or ?? If microscopy were a prime objective of a field trip, I'd be inclined to outfit a comfortable backpack to carry the scope, lunch, water, etc.

The lightest options these days will be auxiliary lenses for cell phones.

ZodiacPhoto
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Re: Ideas for a new microscope?

#4 Post by ZodiacPhoto » Sun Sep 25, 2022 12:48 am

By "field trip" I mean taking the scope to a local park with a pond, or to an interested friend's house, etc.
Just looking for something more convenient to carry, without major image quality compromises.
This looks interesting - can be converted to newer 160mm optics, if needed, and LED lighting:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/133502967214?h ... ondition=4

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imkap
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Re: Ideas for a new microscope?

#5 Post by imkap » Sun Sep 25, 2022 1:49 am

Zeiss Axiolab RE is pretty light although maybe not that small. I got one pretty cheap a while ago but sold it.
Still have a head and 2 objectives. I think one might convert it to led and use batteries to power it, of course not using the original electronics... The problem with it is that the objectives are hard to find at a sane price and the original light source is badly executed in my opinion...

The one you linked seems pretty overpriced to me.

Zeiss standard Gfl is smaller, and a bit heavier than Axiolab, I have a spare GFL stand with a stage, I'd sell it cheap if you'd be interested. Have some spare optics for it too including a simple condenser. Darkfield is easily achieved as it has a filter holder. You'd need a head and some DIY illumination.

dtsh
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Re: Ideas for a new microscope?

#6 Post by dtsh » Sun Sep 25, 2022 5:50 am

ZodiacPhoto wrote:
Sun Sep 25, 2022 12:48 am
By "field trip" I mean taking the scope to a local park with a pond, or to an interested friend's house, etc.
Just looking for something more convenient to carry, without major image quality compromises.
This looks interesting - can be converted to newer 160mm optics, if needed, and LED lighting:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/133502967214?h ... ondition=4
That's not a bad instrument at that price, but I don't think that adds much utility over a number of other instruments that can probably be gotten for less. If you're looking for a small form factor, many of the black enamel scopes can perform decently and patience can often deliver one, with case, for not much money especially if one is willing to accept a monocular over a binocular scope. I'm thinking of things like the various imports scopes such as Lumiscope as well as things like AO Spencer series 15 or 35, which can be found in binocular models. At just a little larger, you could get something such as an American Optical Series 10 with plan objectives and a much greater variety of accessories, sometimes even with a case. I would worry the compromises of that to make it portable might limit options and flexibility, for example I don't see where one could add filters to the condenser on that (might be able to, I just don't see it).

Scarodactyl
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Re: Ideas for a new microscope?

#7 Post by Scarodactyl » Sun Sep 25, 2022 6:06 am

Thr M2 got a good review from Apo. Not super upgradeable probably but what upgrades do you really want in a field scope?
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=15676

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Rossf
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Re: Ideas for a new microscope?

#8 Post by Rossf » Sat Oct 08, 2022 12:44 am

Hello peeps-my 2 cents worth-I reckon the student HM-Lux 3 is a very good travel scope-uses a common automotive light 6v 5 w .8 amps and is surprisingly bright-very light and if you get with the original case (super tough plastic) it’s an excellent traveller-I got mine for about $150 last year-love it.160mm so can wack whatever Objetives on it as long as 45 parfocal.
Regards ross
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ZodiacPhoto
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Re: Ideas for a new microscope?

#9 Post by ZodiacPhoto » Sun Oct 09, 2022 3:11 pm

Thanks for all the suggestions,

I bought this toy: https://www.ebay.com/itm/133502967214?h ... ondition=4, the seller accepted a reasonable offer. Haven't received it yet, will post photos and my impressions after I get a chance to play with it.

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blekenbleu
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Re: Ideas for a new microscope?

#10 Post by blekenbleu » Sun Oct 09, 2022 7:19 pm

ZodiacPhoto wrote:
Sun Oct 09, 2022 3:11 pm
I bought this toy
Here is more about it: http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/art ... FM600.html
Metaphot, Optiphot 1, 66; AO 10, 120, EPIStar, Cycloptic

ZodiacPhoto
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Re: Ideas for a new microscope?

#11 Post by ZodiacPhoto » Sun Oct 09, 2022 10:03 pm

Yes, thank you, I read this article. Too bad, it looks like there is no Part 2...
If I like the scope, I will probably come up with LED lighting for it, and use better 160mm objectives (Olympus SPlan).

Scarodactyl
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Re: Ideas for a new microscope?

#12 Post by Scarodactyl » Sun Oct 09, 2022 10:09 pm

Hope you enjoy it! I'll look forward to updates on its performance.

ZodiacPhoto
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Re: Ideas for a new microscope?

#13 Post by ZodiacPhoto » Sat Oct 15, 2022 2:50 pm

I received the microscope and posted a short review here: viewtopic.php?f=24&t=16396

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