Best c-mount camera?

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AndScientist
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Joined: Mon Dec 28, 2020 5:13 am

Best c-mount camera?

#1 Post by AndScientist » Mon Feb 22, 2021 3:32 am

Hi all

I need some help...

I'm struggling to find what would be the best camera for my microscope.

I/ considering try to use one donated camera or to use a dedicated c-mount camera that I would buy.

- I will use it to take pictures and videos from biological specimens, most water creatures.
- I don't need a camera for other uses, it will be dedicated to the microscope.
- The microscope that I have is a binocular one
https://portuguese.alibaba.com/product- ... 1b1arReapw

- It would be nice to have the possibility to plug the camera directly into the TV.

The reason I'm struggling is that I have zero knowledge about cameras and I don't know how the image quality would be for different cameras that I see on the internet. Also, most of the cameras I saw seems to be prepared for industrial microscope instead of biological ones.

This is the camera that was donated by my fiance:
https://www.samsung.com/uk/cameras/nx-m ... F1ZZB1HGB/
There are two lenses:
1- NX-M Mount / OIS / 39 1:1.8 / 17
2 - NX-M Mount / ED / OIS / 39 1:3.5 -5.6 / 9-27


So, what are your thoughts?
Is it possible to use the donated camera for the purpose I need? If so, how should I adapt it?
If not possible, what camera should I consider?
I tried the one below but as I don't know much about it, I felt the images were too poor, (probably because it is meant to be used in industrial microscopes?) mostly because of light aberration with the 4x and 10x objectives.
I returned it because it had some dead pixels.
The dedicated c-mount camera I tried:
https://www.amazon.com/HAYEAR-Industria ... 594&sr=8-5
I also used this adapter: https://www.amazon.com/Microscope-Adapt ... 15CY&psc=1

Thanks!

PeteM
Posts: 2982
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Re: Best c-mount camera?

#2 Post by PeteM » Mon Feb 22, 2021 3:43 am

If you find a way to put your camera in manual mode and mount it securely above (and at the same angle) as an eyepiece - it can probably get you started. Perhaps a tripod or something like a Manfrotto arm to hold the camera just right.

You'll have to check the camera model to see if it directly supports a digital output to a monitor. And it may not have options to trigger it remotely and without vibration. Also need to check its video capabilities.

The whole setup won't be especially easy to use, since you'll likely get a much better view looking through the binocular head and want to keep moving the camera in and out of the way.

Easier and somewhat satisfactory might be a USB or HDMI camera that quickly replaces an eyepiece - much as you have already tried. This may have a C-mount; but also a tube and ideally a magnification lens to slip directly into one eyetube of your head. Other threads on this forum will have discussed these. The "best" one of these for you will depend on what you want to see, your budget, the desired image quality, the speed needed for video transfer and so on. Options range from as little as $50 to several hundred (or more) $$$.

Another option is a holder for a cell phone camera. If you have a recent phone, it makes a very good microscope camera. There are a few (but pricier) phone holders that attach and remove quickly and reliably.
Last edited by PeteM on Mon Feb 22, 2021 3:46 am, edited 1 time in total.

AndScientist
Posts: 12
Joined: Mon Dec 28, 2020 5:13 am

Re: Best c-mount camera?

#3 Post by AndScientist » Mon Feb 22, 2021 3:45 am

My fiance donated camera specs:

Image Sensor
Type BSI CMOS
Sensor size 23.5 X 15.7 mm
Effective pixels Approx. 28.2 mega-pixels
Total pixels Approx. 30.7 mega-pixels
Color filter RGB primary
Lens Mount
Type Samsung NX Mount
Available lens Samsung NX lenses (3D lens supported)
Image Stabilization
Type Lens shift (depends on lens)
Mode Off/Mode 1/Mode 2
Distortion Correct
Off/On (depends on lens)
i-Function
Aperture value, shutter speed, exposure value, ISO, white balance,
intelli-Zoom
Dust Reduction
Super sonic drive
Display
Type Super AMOLED with Touch Screen
Size 3.0" (Approx. 76.6 mm)
Resolution 1,036 k dots
Field of view Approx. 100 %
Guide display Yes
Viewfinder
Type Electronical viewfinder (OLED)
(Eye Contact Sensor)
Resolution XGA 2,360 k dots
Field of view Approx. 100 %
Magnification Approx. 1.04 X (APS-C, 50 mm, -1 m-1)
Eyepoint Approx. 21.0 mm
Diopter adjustment Approx. -4.0–+2.0 m-1

Focusing
Type Hybrid AF
Focusing point
• Total AF point: 205 points (Phase Detection
AF), 209 points (Contrast AF)
• AF Range: EV -4–20
Mode Active AF, Single AF, Continuous AF, Manual
Focus
AF Assist Lamp Yes
Shutter
Speed
• Auto: 1/8,000 sec.–1/4 sec.
• Manual: 1/8,000 sec.–30 sec.
• Bulb
Exposure
Metering system TTL 221 Block segment
Metering: Multi, Center-weighted, Spot
Compensation Still: ±5 EV, Movie: ±3 EV (1/3 EV Step)
ISO equivalent Auto, 100–25600 (1 EV or 1/3 EV Step)
* You can expand up to ISO 51200.
Drive Modes
Mode Single, Continuous, Timer, Bracket
Continuous shooting
15 fps
* Maximum shooting speed is 15 frames per second. It
will slow down after approx. JPEG 90 shots, RAW 25
shots. (May vary depending on the spec of memory
card.)
Bracket shooting
Auto exposure bracketing,
White Balance bracketing,
Picture Wizard bracketing, Depth bracketing
Self-timer 2–30 sec. (1 second interval)
Flash
Type Built-in flash
Mode Smart Flash, Auto, Auto Red-eye, Fill in,
Fill-in Red, 1st Curtain, 2nd Curtain, Off
Guide number 11 (based on ISO 100)
Angle of view 28 mm (35 mm film equivalent)
Sync speed Less than 1/250 sec.
Flash EV -2–+2 EV, FEL
External flash Optional Samsung external flashes
Sync terminal Hot-shoe

White Balance
Mode
Auto WB, Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent White,
Fluorescent NW, Fluorescent Daylight, Tungsten,
Tungsten (Auto), Flash WB, Custom Set, Color
Temperature (Manual)
Micro adjustment Amber/Blue/Green/Magenta 7 steps respectively
Dynamic Range Expansion
Off/Smart Range+/HDR
Effects
Picture wizard
Standard, Vivid, Portrait, Landscape, Forest,
Retro, Cool, Calm, Classic, Custom1, Custom2,
Custom3
Smart filter Vignetting, Miniature (H), Miniature (V),
Watercolor, Selective Color (R/G/B/Y 4 Colors)
Photos
Mode Auto, Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority,
Manual, Custom1, Custom2, Smart
Smart mode
Beauty Face, Landscape, Action Freeze, Rich
Tones, Panorama, Waterfall, Silhouette, Sunset,
Night, Fireworks, Light Trace, Multi Exposure,
Samsung Auto Shot
Size
• JPEG (3:2): 28M (6480X4320),
13.9M (4560X3040), 7.1M (3264X2176),
3M (2112X1408)
• JPEG (16:9): 23.6M (6480X3648),
11.9M (4608X2592), 6.2M (3328X1872),
2.4M (2048X1152)
• JPEG (1:1): 18.7M (4320X4320),
9.5M (3088X3088), 4.7M (2160X2160),
2M (1408X1408)
• RAW: 28M (6480X4320)
Quality Super Fine, Fine, Normal
Color space sRGB, Adobe RGB
Video
Format MP4 (HEVC), AVI (MJPEG)
Compression Movie: HEVC (H.265), MJPEG (VGA 30p only),
Sound: AAC (MP4), Linear PCM (AVI)
Movie AE mode Auto, Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority,
Manual, Custom1, Custom2, Smart
Size
4096X2160 (24 fps only), 3840X2160 (30 fps,
24 fps, 23.98 fps), 1920X1080, 1280X720,
640X480
Frame rate
• NTSC: 120 fps (Full HD only), 60 fps, 30 fps,
24 fps, 23.98 fps
• PAL: 100 fps (Full HD only), 50 fps, 25 fps,
24 fps
Fast / Slow Movie
x0.25 (1920X1080 30p/25p, 1280X720 30p/25p,
640X480 30p/25p only), x0.5 (1920X1080 60p/
50p/30p/25p, 1280X720 60p/50p/30p/25p,
640X480 60p/50p/30p/25p only), x5, x10, x20
Quality HQ, Normal, Pro (4096X2160, 3840X2160,
1920X1080 only)
Sound Stereo
Playback
Type Single image, Thumbnails (15/24), Slide show,
Movie
Editing
Photos Edit, Color, Portrait, Smart Filter
Movie Still image capture, Time trimming
Memory
External media SD card, SDHC card, SDXC card (up to 64 GB
guaranteed), UHS-I, UHS-II Supported
Network and Wireless Connectivity
Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11b/g/n/ac
NFC Yes
Connectivity support Bluetooth
Interface
Digital output
connector USB 3.0
Video output HDMI (NTSC, PAL)
External release Yes
USB Yes
Audio 3.5 mm stereo MIC input, 3.5 mm stereo output
Battery
Capacity 1,860 mAh
Charging DC 5.0 V, 2 A via Micro USB port
Still image capturing
time 500 shots (CIPA Standard)
Physical Specifications
Dimensions (W X H X D) 5.5 X 4 X 2.6 in (138.5 X 102.3 X 65.8 mm)
Weight (body only) Approx. 19.5 oz (550 g)
Operating Environment
Operating Temperature 32–104 °F (0–40 °C)
Operating Humidity 5–85 %

AndScientist
Posts: 12
Joined: Mon Dec 28, 2020 5:13 am

Re: Best c-mount camera?

#4 Post by AndScientist » Mon Feb 22, 2021 3:50 am

PeteM wrote:
Mon Feb 22, 2021 3:43 am


Another option is a holder for a cell phone camera. If you have a recent phone, it makes a very good microscope camera. There are a few (but pricier) phone holders that attach and remove quickly and reliably.
Thanks

I consider both using the camera I mentioned mounted on my microscope without the lens. In this case, I believe I would need an adapter and probably a reducer, but I don't know what adapter would be the correct one.

In case I chose to use a dedicated c-mounted camera, what would you suggest?
I consider spending up to U$300

PeteM
Posts: 2982
Joined: Tue Dec 06, 2016 6:22 am
Location: N. California

Re: Best c-mount camera?

#5 Post by PeteM » Mon Feb 22, 2021 3:51 am

You may have "infinity" microscope objectives? It wasn't obvious to me from the link.

If so, it looks like you could remove the lens and replace it with a Samsung NX mount to C-mount to microscope tube adapter. You might find the sensor and image size satisfactory without any additional optics. Since you have the camera -- and an adapter should be cheap - that seems a way to start..

AndScientist
Posts: 12
Joined: Mon Dec 28, 2020 5:13 am

Re: Best c-mount camera?

#6 Post by AndScientist » Mon Feb 22, 2021 4:03 am

PeteM wrote:
Mon Feb 22, 2021 3:51 am
You may have "infinity" microscope objectives? It wasn't obvious to me from the link.

If so, it looks like you could remove the lens and replace it with a Samsung NX mount to C-mount to microscope tube adapter. You might find the sensor and image size satisfactory without any additional optics. Since you have the camera -- and an adapter should be cheap - that seems a way to start..
It's not an infinite microscope.
I was hoping that I could find an adapter to mount the camera without lens (this is a mirrorless camera) directly in the eyepiece tube with the possible adapter.
I'm just not sure there is such an adapter or how it would work.

Searching very quickly, I found some adapter to astronomy:
https://www.amazon.com/Telescope-Adapte ... 74&sr=8-18

Is there a way to adapt it to a microscope instead?

AndScientist
Posts: 12
Joined: Mon Dec 28, 2020 5:13 am

Re: Best c-mount camera?

#7 Post by AndScientist » Mon Feb 22, 2021 4:19 am


PeteM
Posts: 2982
Joined: Tue Dec 06, 2016 6:22 am
Location: N. California

Re: Best c-mount camera?

#8 Post by PeteM » Mon Feb 22, 2021 4:32 am

Don't believe you'll be able to pick up the image directly on you finite scope with that adapter slipped into one of the binocular tubes.

AndScientist
Posts: 12
Joined: Mon Dec 28, 2020 5:13 am

Re: Best c-mount camera?

#9 Post by AndScientist » Mon Feb 22, 2021 5:12 am

I also found this one

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Samsung-NX-10- ... SweW5U9mRe

The idea is not much different from the camera I used before: https://www.amazon.com/HAYEAR-Industria ... 594&sr=8-5
I also used a x0.5 for that

AndScientist
Posts: 12
Joined: Mon Dec 28, 2020 5:13 am

Re: Best c-mount camera?

#10 Post by AndScientist » Mon Feb 22, 2021 5:48 am

PeteM wrote:
Mon Feb 22, 2021 4:32 am
Don't believe you'll be able to pick up the image directly on you finite scope with that adapter slipped into one of the binocular tubes.
I tried to put the camera directly on the tube without the eyepiece and without any lens, so the DSLR was capturing the image directly and it worked perfectly.
If I find a way to keep the camera there it would solve all my problems.

Thanks

PeteM
Posts: 2982
Joined: Tue Dec 06, 2016 6:22 am
Location: N. California

Re: Best c-mount camera?

#11 Post by PeteM » Mon Feb 22, 2021 5:52 am

The Ebay link shows the adapter on an older A.O. infinity microscope. The seller (Newhoper) is reliable - you might message him and ask about your specific scope and that adapter.

AndScientist
Posts: 12
Joined: Mon Dec 28, 2020 5:13 am

Re: Best c-mount camera?

#12 Post by AndScientist » Mon Feb 22, 2021 5:00 pm

I asked a friend to 3D print this adapter for me, already modified to microscope:
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4076806

I think it will work because the camera will be very close to the eyepiece tube without lens or eyepieces. I'll lose part of the field view, but I lost even more with the previews camera I used. I think it's the best option, and it's for free.

I'll let you know if it worked.

PeteM
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Joined: Tue Dec 06, 2016 6:22 am
Location: N. California

Re: Best c-mount camera?

#13 Post by PeteM » Mon Feb 22, 2021 10:25 pm

Thanks - keep us posted.

Challenger007
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Joined: Thu Nov 12, 2020 11:37 am

Re: Best c-mount camera?

#14 Post by Challenger007 » Fri Mar 05, 2021 11:13 am

I'm thinking about whether it is possible to adapt a digital camera to a microscope? I think it will be easier with her than with a DSLR. Only I don’t know which camera is better to buy. The article has an overview of a number of cameras, but I'm not sure if any one is right for me. Maybe share your experience, what camera models do you use?

apochronaut
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Re: Best c-mount camera?

#15 Post by apochronaut » Fri Mar 05, 2021 1:06 pm

There are all kinds of possibilities for adapting digital cameras. For a few years, I used a 49.00 14 mpx point and shoot camera hovering over an eyepiece on an 8.00 tripod I bought second hand at value village.I wasn't displeased with the results because the eyepiece I was using provided a wide flat field with a fair amount of projection.
I trialled a friend's DSLR and felt it was a better more versatile option on a dedicated photo tube but I quickly saw the folly of a DSLR. They are heavy and they vibrate. A lot of people use DSLRs because they are into cameras and they try to fit the microscope to their beloved camera. It needs to go the other way. Fit the camera to the microscope, especially if you aren't already locked into one. By all means, use your DSLR if you have one but if choosing, unless you have designs to use a DSLR otherwise, go light and compact.
I quickly found that a mirrorless camera is the way to go. Mirrorless cameras will do everything an equivalently priced DSLR will do on a microscope and some have features that make them much more convenient and they vibrate less. You can buy a nice mirrorless body for very little now.

Challenger007
Posts: 33
Joined: Thu Nov 12, 2020 11:37 am

Re: Best c-mount camera?

#16 Post by Challenger007 » Wed Mar 17, 2021 10:17 am

apochronaut wrote:
Fri Mar 05, 2021 1:06 pm
There are all kinds of possibilities for adapting digital cameras. For a few years, I used a 49.00 14 mpx point and shoot camera hovering over an eyepiece on an 8.00 tripod I bought second hand at value village.I wasn't displeased with the results because the eyepiece I was using provided a wide flat field with a fair amount of projection.
I trialled a friend's DSLR and felt it was a better more versatile option on a dedicated photo tube but I quickly saw the folly of a DSLR. They are heavy and they vibrate. A lot of people use DSLRs because they are into cameras and they try to fit the microscope to their beloved camera. It needs to go the other way. Fit the camera to the microscope, especially if you aren't already locked into one. By all means, use your DSLR if you have one but if choosing, unless you have designs to use a DSLR otherwise, go light and compact.
I quickly found that a mirrorless camera is the way to go. Mirrorless cameras will do everything an equivalently priced DSLR will do on a microscope and some have features that make them much more convenient and they vibrate less. You can buy a nice mirrorless body for very little now.
Thanks for your recommendations. Indeed, perhaps the best way to find the best option is to try a few. One will be convenient, the other will be different.

Scarodactyl
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Re: Best c-mount camera?

#17 Post by Scarodactyl » Wed Mar 17, 2021 9:36 pm

Many dslrs will have a silent shooting mode of some sort, so shaking isn't an issue if you select the right one. Weight also is unlikely to be an issue if you're using a trinocular port, though on a slanted eye tube who knows. I certainly wouldn't count dslrs out categorically.
Mirrorless is definitely better in theory for microscopy, but some like earlier Canon M series have had important functions crippled (no remote control via usb), and since many of them are newer lines they aren't always the cheapest option. In some cases the very short flange focal distance will save a lot of effort in adapting your camera. So just be sure to research any camera you look at carefully to make sure it has truly silent/vibration free shooting and any other features you need.

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