75RR wrote:Ok saw the video. A couple of things.
1) It would be useful to know the difference between the Elite versions and the normal ones.
2) The Motic BA210 only provides for 10x and 40x Phase. (Says so in the pdf download) Something around the 20x is actually quite useful.
3) Connecting a camera to a trinocular tube (depending on the method) can require additional parts. You should find out what it would cost.
Thought you might be in the UK - visiting Brunel from Spain is obviously not an option. Sorry.
One more thing... You are now talking about spending much more money than your original post indicated.
You did not mention what your previous microscope was - but an option would be to stick to your original spending plan i.e. €350 - €400 and upgrade to a new microscope say in a year or so when you know exactly what you want. Experience is the best adviser.
I would also suggest that during that time you join a local microscope club - if there is one in your area.
When I asked Motic for information they also told me the differences between BA210 and BA120E (elite), it seems that the BA120E has basically four advantages, I will transcribe them here:
- Objectives optics have 30% more contrast
- Easily interchangeable LED and halogen illumination
- Bigger stage
- Steel construction of the movement system
About connecting the camera to the trinocular tube, well... I already have an adapter that I use for a telescope, so the part that fits to the camera will work, I would only need the part that fits in the microscope's tube.
You're right in your observation, now I'm thinking about spending more money in the scope. Well, as you can see my original post was opened more than one week ago, on these days I have been making a lot of 'research'... when I opened the post I didn't really know what money would be worth spending, so I said 400€ because I thought that would be ok, now I have read a lot of information and microscope specifications, and I think that it would be better to go directly to a nice microscope, with plan infinity optics, upgradable, etc., so I won't have the need to buy another one in the near future
The microscope that I currently have is a very very very basic one, a monocular Starblitz, so I think this decision of moving from a low-end 150€ to a 1000€ one fits with my personality of 'all or nothing'
With regard to the microscope clubs you mention, I didn't think about that, but unfortunately I don't think that it will be easy to find something like that here, I'm from Spain... and even more I do not live in the capital so... in any case I'll take a look but I don't I will find anything like that here.
gekko wrote:I echo 75RR's suggestion of joining a local microscope club if there is one close to you. I would even suggest that you do that before buying your microscope, as you will get much useful advice from experienced hobbyists. I agree completely with the advice and comments of mrsonchus and of 75RR. I looked again at the scopes in question. Brunel are honest in saying that the illumination is based on Koehler, meaning it is not strictly Koehler, but I don't think that is a big deal. The LED scopes do not use Koehler (but my earlier statement that even high end microscopes with LED illumination do not use Koehler is
demonstrably wrong:
http://www.olympus-lifescience.com/en/m ... ight/bx43/). Regardless, I agree strongly with everyone about avoiding microscopes made specifically for student use. Centering of the condenser is only needed, I think, when the microscope is equipped with Koehler illumination. For micrsocopes not so equipped, the condenser is pre-centered at the factory and is not usually provided with a centering mechanism as far as I know. One limitation (which may or may not be important to you) is that all of the microscopes discussed have a 4-position turret; I personally would prefer a 5-position one as otherwise if you want to use your 20x or 60x objective, you'll have to exchange it for one on the microscope. I think 75RR's recommendation has merit: to get an inexpensive one then in a couple of years, when you will know exactly what features are important to you and how much you want to spend, you can upgrade to a better scope.
Well, as I answered to 75RR above, I don't think I can find here a microscope club, the more similar thing, and I have already done it, is going to stores and personally take a look to the microscopes they have, and asking for some advices.
Returning to the subject of the "student-proof" detail, as I asked previously, if student-proof is an euphemism for 'less-versatile', and keeping in mind that the BA210 admits photography (trino), phase-contrast and darkfield...: is there anything else remarkable in terms of versatility to consider which I'm overlooking apart from the 4-5 objectives issue?
I know what you and 75RR mean with going for an inexpensive microscope first, and I really agree with that, maybe it would be better having experience and practice first with a 400€ microscope and then buying a bigger one, but well... I think I would be spending more money that way, and also as I said, I like investing heavily, the kind of all or nothing
