microscope tips

LoveIt · #1 09-13-2007, 02:30 PM

got a couple new pieces of equipment yesterday... the one on the left doesn't have anything to do with this post, but it's so fucking cool, i included it in the pic, lol... now i can check in on the forums when i'm not home (have to figure out if it's relatively safe first, though).

so the main thing here is i picked up the microscope at radio shack... $390 cheaper than the iPhone, by the way, if you're wondering lol. it has 60x-100x magnification and a light at the bottom.

*** what i'm wondering is: any of you have any tips or special tricks you have figured out... it's easy to look at something on a table, but holding the microscope up to a plant is another challenge entirely. any experienced insight would be mucho apprec!!***

in the 3rd day of 12/12 now, and i think i already see that one of them is a girl!!! check out my journal in a couple minutes to see the pics!

VictorVIcious · #2 09-13-2007, 08:35 PM

I have a 30x. much easier to use. I have that one from radio shck also. you can stop by and pick it up for free if you want. Too small of a focal point to be practical for this old man. VV

natmoon · #3 09-13-2007, 08:42 PM

I am going to buy a cheap microscope in a couple of weeks as well,i am interested to know if you can put a basic digital camera lens over the microscope lens and take the pics like that?

Also has anyone used that intel microscope that you can plug directly into your pc,i dunno if there are others apart from intel who do usb microscopes but the intel one is the only one ive seen,any advice is appreciated.

Like your new iphone btw i want a motorola z8,sorry i have no tips to offer but just thought i would add my request for knowledge to this thread to save starting another microscope thread

LoveIt · #4 09-13-2007, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VictorVIcious

I have a 30x. much easier to use. I have that one from radio shck also. you can stop by and pick it up for free if you want. Too small of a focal point to be practical for this old man. VV

where did you pick up your 30x scope?

i managed to get a look at one of the pre-preflowers through it the other day, but it was so early in development, that the fact that it was hugely magnified didn't make any difference.

honestly, what i'd like to do is get a zoom lens for my camera, but i think they only make a wide angle/ fish-eye lens for my model, and some filters...

pinecone · #5 09-13-2007, 09:42 PM

Look for macro lenses or macro filters for your camera. They'll get you in closer but nowhere near as close as the 30x from Radio Shack can. I find the best thing to do with the Radio Shack microscope is to prefocus then slowly move into the bud. Go easy on coffee in the morning - a little shake of the hand moves you miles when looking through it. In theory using a macro lens you could focus on the surface where your eye would be on the microscope. You'd have to block out light coming in from the side. Tricky thing to do right.

cloudflyer · #6 09-13-2007, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoveIt

got a couple new pieces of equipment yesterday... the one on the left doesn't have anything to do with this post, but it's so fucking cool, i included it in the pic, lol... now i can check in on the forums when i'm not home (have to figure out if it's relatively safe first, though).

so the main thing here is i picked up the microscope at radio shack... $390 cheaper than the iPhone, by the way, if you're wondering lol. it has 60x-100x magnification and a light at the bottom.

*** what i'm wondering is: any of you have any tips or special tricks you have figured out... it's easy to look at something on a table, but holding the microscope up to a plant is another challenge entirely. any experienced insight would be mucho apprec!!***

in the 3rd day of 12/12 now, and i think i already see that one of them is a girl!!! check out my journal in a couple minutes to see the pics!

I use the exact same one. focus on something on the table, then take off the plastic thing on the bottom. Look at your plants and instead of using the focus, pull your head back and forth.

natmoon · #7 09-13-2007, 09:49 PM

Im really interested to know if anyone has used one these intel usb scopes,apparently they can do time lapse and stuff.

Heres a link if anyones interested or knows anything more about them please let me know

Microscopy-UK Micscape Microscopy and Microscopes Magazine

LoveIt · #8 09-13-2007, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by natmoon

I am going to buy a cheap microscope in a couple of weeks as well,i am interested to know if you can put a basic digital camera lens over the microscope lens and take the pics like that?

Also has anyone used that intel microscope that you can plug directly into your pc,i dunno if there are others apart from intel who do usb microscopes but the intel one is the only one ive seen,any advice is appreciated.

you're not taking away from the thread by contributing questions that belong in it's vicinity. i am actually very curious about photographing those extremely magnified shots, and this discussion is really the logical part b to this thread... so thanks for chiming in!

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinecone

Look for macro lenses or macro filters for your camera. They'll get you in closer but nowhere near as close as the 30x from Radio Shack can. I find the best thing to do with the Radio Shack microscope is to prefocus then slowly move into the bud. Go easy on coffee in the morning - a little shake of the hand moves you miles when looking through it. In theory using a macro lens you could focus on the surface where your eye would be on the microscope. You'd have to block out light coming in from the side. Tricky thing to do right.

macro lenses/filters... i'll have to look into that. you say in theory- have you never tried it? it would be very fun to make pics so close up, but i don't know if i want to go to school for a doctoral degree in photography in order to achieve that lol

Quote:

Originally Posted by cloudflyer

I use the exact same one. focus on something on the table, then take off the plastic thing on the bottom. Look at your plants and instead of using the focus, pull your head back and forth.

that is perfect- always excellent, descriptive instructions from you, cloudflyer- thanks!

natmoon · #9 09-13-2007, 10:44 PM

Ok scratch the intel one ive found one that is much cheaper and newer,i dunno if you can find similar in america or not but here is a link to have a look at what im on about,im especially interested in making a time lapse video of a bud from start to finish as well as the super cool convenience of just plugging it into my pc and taking film and pics with it,anyway heres a link to what im on about in case anyone didnt actually know about them,i only saw them in a toys section a while back and though little of it really.

USB Microscope, 10x ~ 200x USB Microscope with adjustable focus and magnification : nov-usbmc

LoveIt · #10 09-13-2007, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by natmoon

Ok scratch the intel one ive found one that is much cheaper and newer,i dunno if you can find similar in america or not but here is a link to have a look at what im on about,im especially interested in making a time lapse video of a bud from start to finish as well as the super cool convenience of just plugging it into my pc and taking film and pics with it,anyway heres a link to what im on about in case anyone didnt actually know about them,i only saw them in a toys section a while back and though little of it really.

USB Microscope, 10x ~ 200x USB Microscope with adjustable focus and magnification : nov-usbmc

here's a link to one you can get in the u.s.... unfortunately, usb 2.0 ports are required, and my powerbook can't have those upgraded- i just asked the apple store about that... i'm not giving up though, just have to keep googling for a bit.