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tonyshroom
lost_soul


Registered: 10/25/07
Posts: 386
Last seen: 13 years, 6 months
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What kind of microscope
#12693266 - 06/05/10 06:46 PM (13 years, 8 months ago) |
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Hello all , I was wondering what x microscope I need to see spores of all kinds 10x 200x ?
-------------------- NEVER DO THIS!!! RAND PAUL WHO's THAT? ! NO MORE BIG GOVERNMENT ! FIRST EDIBLES 2010
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Twiztidsage
Fungal Databaser


Registered: 12/05/08
Posts: 8,089
Loc: Seattle
Last seen: 9 years, 3 months
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Re: What kind of microscope [Re: tonyshroom]
#12693418 - 06/05/10 07:27 PM (13 years, 8 months ago) |
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More than 400x is ideal. 400x is doable, but not really if you plan on measuring them.
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Twiztidsage
Fungal Databaser


Registered: 12/05/08
Posts: 8,089
Loc: Seattle
Last seen: 9 years, 3 months
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Re: What kind of microscope [Re: Twiztidsage]
#12693420 - 06/05/10 07:27 PM (13 years, 8 months ago) |
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Alan will come in and help you more, most likely.
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tonyshroom
lost_soul


Registered: 10/25/07
Posts: 386
Last seen: 13 years, 6 months
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Re: What kind of microscope [Re: Twiztidsage]
#12693478 - 06/05/10 07:44 PM (13 years, 8 months ago) |
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Ok Thanks
-------------------- NEVER DO THIS!!! RAND PAUL WHO's THAT? ! NO MORE BIG GOVERNMENT ! FIRST EDIBLES 2010
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BlimeyGrimey
Collector of Spores




Registered: 08/24/05
Posts: 3,791
Loc: Puget Sound
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Re: What kind of microscope [Re: tonyshroom]
#12693522 - 06/05/10 07:56 PM (13 years, 8 months ago) |
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Get a microscope that goes to 1000x or 1200x with an oil immersion lens.
www.amscope.com has decent scopes for a reasonable price. Just remember they are made in China and not the best quality, but more than good enough for basic microscopy.
-------------------- Message me for free microscopy services on Psilocybe, Panaeolus, and Gymnopilus species. Looking for wild Panaeolus cinctulus and Panaeolus olivaceus prints.
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tonyshroom
lost_soul


Registered: 10/25/07
Posts: 386
Last seen: 13 years, 6 months
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Thank you
-------------------- NEVER DO THIS!!! RAND PAUL WHO's THAT? ! NO MORE BIG GOVERNMENT ! FIRST EDIBLES 2010
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RebelSteve33
Amateur Mycologist



Registered: 05/28/02
Posts: 3,774
Loc: Arizona
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Oh man you should not have posted that link...
There go my summer savings!
-------------------- Namaste.
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Mr. Mushrooms
Spore Print Collector


Registered: 05/25/08
Posts: 13,018
Loc: Registered: 6/04/02
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Re: What kind of microscope [Re: tonyshroom]
#12693926 - 06/05/10 09:24 PM (13 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
tonyshroom said: Hello all , I was wondering what x microscope I need to see spores of all kinds 10x 200x ?
1000x Oil Immersion at least.
Amscope has 1000x microscopes on eBay for $100
I recommend studying microscopes thoroughly before purchasing one.
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Doc_T
Random Dude




Registered: 03/06/09
Posts: 42,395
Loc: Colorado
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Quote:
Mr. Mushrooms said: I recommend studying microscopes thoroughly before purchasing one.
What sort of scope do you recomend for that?
-------------------- You make it all possible. Doesn't it feel good?
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Mr. Mushrooms
Spore Print Collector


Registered: 05/25/08
Posts: 13,018
Loc: Registered: 6/04/02
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Re: What kind of microscope [Re: Doc_T]
#12693972 - 06/05/10 09:36 PM (13 years, 8 months ago) |
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Rocky Mountain High, Colorado. I still miss the Hogback and the mountains and it's been over 20 years. First trip was behind the Atmospheric Research Center in Boulder.
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Doc_T
Random Dude




Registered: 03/06/09
Posts: 42,395
Loc: Colorado
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Ah, Boulder- a couple of square miles completely surrounded by reality.
-------------------- You make it all possible. Doesn't it feel good?
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Twiztidsage
Fungal Databaser


Registered: 12/05/08
Posts: 8,089
Loc: Seattle
Last seen: 9 years, 3 months
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Re: What kind of microscope [Re: Doc_T]
#12694025 - 06/05/10 09:47 PM (13 years, 8 months ago) |
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These pictures were taken with a 400x microscope. Not that great, but passable.
  

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Mr. Mushrooms
Spore Print Collector


Registered: 05/25/08
Posts: 13,018
Loc: Registered: 6/04/02
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Re: What kind of microscope [Re: Twiztidsage]
#12694182 - 06/05/10 10:17 PM (13 years, 8 months ago) |
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I think those are excellent for 400x.
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RebelSteve33
Amateur Mycologist



Registered: 05/28/02
Posts: 3,774
Loc: Arizona
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Re: What kind of microscope [Re: Twiztidsage]
#12694257 - 06/05/10 10:36 PM (13 years, 8 months ago) |
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Ok so I don't mean to hijack this thread, but now I have a question about microscope cameras. By this I mean a digital camera with USB capabilities that attaches to the microscope Is it typical for a decent one of these to cost more than the scope itself? So far that's what I'm finding, and I was a little surprised. I just ordered a scope from AmScope.com and would definitely like to capture images from it on my computer, so any advice would be appreciated! Oh, and what IS "decent," as far as megapixels go? I'm assuming 5 or better to capture high quality images?
-RebelSteve
-------------------- Namaste.
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Twiztidsage
Fungal Databaser


Registered: 12/05/08
Posts: 8,089
Loc: Seattle
Last seen: 9 years, 3 months
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Thank you very much, Mr. Mushrooms.
It should also be noted that some of them may have been taken using some zoom on my camera.
@Rebelsteve- I just put the camera up to the lens of the scope and take a picture. Nothing fancy required, but a nice camera wouldn't hurt.
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RebelSteve33
Amateur Mycologist



Registered: 05/28/02
Posts: 3,774
Loc: Arizona
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Re: What kind of microscope [Re: Twiztidsage]
#12694302 - 06/05/10 10:47 PM (13 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
@Rebelsteve- I just put the camera up to the lens of the scope and take a picture. Nothing fancy required, but a nice camera wouldn't hurt.
Oh, wow! Here I thought fancy equipment was required. Thanks for the info!
-------------------- Namaste.
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Mr. Mushrooms
Spore Print Collector


Registered: 05/25/08
Posts: 13,018
Loc: Registered: 6/04/02
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Re: What kind of microscope [Re: Twiztidsage]
#12694312 - 06/05/10 10:49 PM (13 years, 8 months ago) |
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You're welcome, Twiz. I just call them as I see them.
RebelSteve: No one I know considers those USB device cameras very seriously. I don't know anyone who uses them. Most of us "shoot down the barrel," i.e. eyepiece. The important thing is to get a camera with a lens smaller than the eyepiece lens.
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Mr. Mushrooms
Spore Print Collector


Registered: 05/25/08
Posts: 13,018
Loc: Registered: 6/04/02
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This is one of my better micrographs.
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Twiztidsage
Fungal Databaser


Registered: 12/05/08
Posts: 8,089
Loc: Seattle
Last seen: 9 years, 3 months
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Pretty nice!
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BlimeyGrimey
Collector of Spores




Registered: 08/24/05
Posts: 3,791
Loc: Puget Sound
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Re: What kind of microscope [Re: tonyshroom]
#12695440 - 06/06/10 03:17 AM (13 years, 8 months ago) |
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I have this model scope; B490B, from amscope.
Here are a few pics taken with a Samsung SL202, simply by holding the camera to the eyepiece hole, without the eyepiece inserted.
   
Not bad for a $220 scope.
DO NOT use the immersion oil they send you with the scope. It will gum up the lens, just buy a 1 ounce bottle of Cargille oil, Type A or B.
Type A is thinner and requires re-application every time you switch slides, while Type B is thicker and 1 drop will stick to the lens so you don't have to re-apply between different slides. Type A cleans off the lens slightly easier than Type B.
Also, make sure you don't get oil on your 4x/10x/40x lenses, only use oil on the 100x.
Order some lens paper with the oil, since using anything else to wipe your lens will probably just scratch them. You'll need a stage micrometer to measure spores. I finally ordered one myself for $20 from the Ward's science website.
Amscope scopes have very good lens for the price. My only problem with amscope is the neck of my scope was slightly mis-aligned with the base (seems to be a rare occurrence though) and they never answered any of the 5 or 6 emails I sent them about it until AFTER the 14 day return period.
I'd give them 4 out of 5 on scope quality, 5/5 for the price, 4/5 for shipping (took 5 days longer than expected) and a 1/5 for customer service.
If $220 plus shipping (comes out to about $250) is too expensive, this model, B100 scope, is only $170 ($200 with shipping) and has every thing you need, including a mechanical stage which means you don't have to slide the glass slide around to view things. You just turn little handles that move the whole stage for you. Much easier and more precise. Plus the B100 goes to 1000x which is more than enough to learn on. Just make sure to get a binocular scope, since squinting one eye while use a monocular can start to strain your eye(s).
Almost any point and shoot digital camera will work for taking photos. The Samsung SL202 I use can be had for about $80 brand new and works great for mushroom photographing and micrographs.
OK, I think I covered nearly everything you need to know to purchase a decent beginner's scope. Once you get one, you'll probably use it for more than just mycology.
-------------------- Message me for free microscopy services on Psilocybe, Panaeolus, and Gymnopilus species. Looking for wild Panaeolus cinctulus and Panaeolus olivaceus prints.
Edited by BlimeyGrimey (06/06/10 03:47 AM)
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