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coon
big odd son

Registered: 07/06/06
Posts: 3,243
Loc: behind the rows....
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microscopes
#7082276 - 06/23/07 01:03 AM (16 years, 8 months ago) |
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sorry I dont know a whole lot about all this gadgetry(being a dumb hick and all)but what affordable microscope that hooks to a computer would you suggest for viewing spores and what not?not a hunting question persay but a good thing for ID and learning.
Edited by coon (06/23/07 01:05 AM)
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Montanahunter420
Mushroom Hunter



Registered: 05/10/06
Posts: 1,188
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Re: micoscopes [Re: coon]
#7082286 - 06/23/07 01:06 AM (16 years, 8 months ago) |
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I am interested in one to coon. But like you I don't have a whole lot to spend. I look forward to an answer to this question.
-------------------- All of my posts are purely fictional and for hypothetical purposes.
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coon
big odd son

Registered: 07/06/06
Posts: 3,243
Loc: behind the rows....
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willing to spend about 300,no more than 500.
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coon
big odd son

Registered: 07/06/06
Posts: 3,243
Loc: behind the rows....
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Re: micoscopes [Re: coon]
#7082313 - 06/23/07 01:16 AM (16 years, 8 months ago) |
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I was gonna ask in advanced mycology but they might call me names and spit on me.
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Alan Rockefeller
Mycologist


Registered: 03/10/07
Posts: 48,312
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Re: micoscopes [Re: coon]
#7082928 - 06/23/07 08:56 AM (16 years, 8 months ago) |
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I got mine new from http://www.microscopenet.com for $329. You could find a used one on ebay for less, but if you don't use microscopes a lot then you might be better off getting a new one so you know it isn't messed up in any way.
As far as the computer interface, that is just a digital eyepiece that will fit into any microscope, as they for the most part use DIN standard (23.2mm) eyepiece tubes. You can tell the software the magnification you are using and it will insert a micrometer so you can tell exactly how big things are. You should get a trinocular model so the digital eyepiece can sit on top and see the same thing you are looking at.
Here are some digital eyepieces on ebay:
http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?sofocus=bs&sbrftog=1&catref=C6&from=R10&_trksid=m37&satitle=digital+eyepiece&sacat=-1%26catref%3DC6&sargn=-1%26saslc%3D2&sadis=200&fpos=94042&sabfmts=1&saobfmts=insif&ftrt=1&ftrv=1&saprclo=&saprchi=&fsop=1&fsoo=1
I don't have a digital eyepiece because all my computers run unix and all the digital eyepiece software I have found only supports windows. I use the GeorgeM method which involves holding a digital camera up to the eyepiece. It works fine and is easy to do, but the images look MUCH sharper in person than in the photos, and I haven't figured out a good way to add a micrometer to my photos. Suggestions welcome.
They do have some nice ones on ebay: http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?sofocus=bs&sbrftog=1&catref=C6&from=R10&_trksid=m37&satitle=micrometer+eyepiece&sacat=-1%26catref%3DC6&sargn=-1%26saslc%3D2&sadis=200&fpos=94042&sabfmts=1&saobfmts=insif&ftrt=1&ftrv=1&saprclo=&saprchi=&fsop=1&fsoo=1
Here is a little info on choosing a microscope, you will want the compound type unless you are using it for cutting wedges out of petri dishes. Compound microscopes are great for looking at spores, but they can only see things that light can shine through, opaque objects look black.
http://www.microscopenet.com/information.php?info_id=6
Here is the one I have. I recommend it.
http://www.microscopenet.com/product_info.php?cPath=25_37&products_id=124
When I first ordered the thing I was worried that it would sit in a corner and never get used, but I use it at least three times a week. It is actually a lot of fun to use because everything looks so different, like a parallel dimension.
A microscope isn't very useful for finding edibles or actives because macroscopic features are used to ID those. But for the kind of research we do here in the hunting forum, they are really useful!
Edited by Alan Rockefeller (06/24/07 03:35 PM)
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coon
big odd son

Registered: 07/06/06
Posts: 3,243
Loc: behind the rows....
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thank you for the advice Alan.you are the man.
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ToxicMan
Bite me, it's fun!


Registered: 06/28/02
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That looks like a pretty damn good microscope for the money. The site has lots of great related stuff, too.
Outstanding response, Alan.
Happy mushrooming!
-------------------- Happy mushrooming!
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canid
irregular meat sprocket




Registered: 02/26/02
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Re: microscopes [Re: coon]
#7129530 - 07/04/07 06:13 PM (16 years, 7 months ago) |
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in a few days i'm getting an amscope b100 series compound binocular microscope. it's a line of decent economy microscopes [around $200-230 US]. i didn't pick it out, or i'd have paid he extra $50 for one of thier comparable trinoculars, as they have a seperate object focus for the third eyepiece, which would allow for focus adjustments while still being able to view the subject from the other two pieces. i couldn't find a statement for sure, but i doubt the eye pieces had seperate focus and they are too close together for viewing with a cam attatched anyway. the solution i suppose would be to make focus adjustents with the cam taking video, and i know there is software out there somewhere to make this easy. depending on chipset used, the drivers probably don't even need to be for the model in question. i'll see what open source has to offer, as university fools are experimenting with this crap all the time.
it seems the good eyepiece cams are more expensive than the scope, but i'm going to try one of the better rated bottom of the line models when i can. i'll post follow up when i do.
--------------------
Attn PWN hunters: If you should come across a bluing Psilocybe matching P. pellicolusa please smell it. If you detect a scent reminiscent of Anethole (anise) please preserve a specimen or two for study and please PM me.
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coon
big odd son

Registered: 07/06/06
Posts: 3,243
Loc: behind the rows....
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Re: microscopes [Re: coon]
#7129996 - 07/04/07 09:29 PM (16 years, 7 months ago) |
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I have to wait to get one now,hopefully I'll have one by morel season next year so I can monkey around and bug people about how to do everything right.I'm definately interested in getting a microscope though so let me know what you find out.
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nofind_um
Explorer ofEarth


Registered: 06/30/03
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Re: microscopes [Re: coon]
#7130082 - 07/04/07 09:57 PM (16 years, 7 months ago) |
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Uh, huhm. looks like no beer money for you this week, Coon. I know some herbal rememies if your interested. Don't want you falling out on us. Nfum...
-------------------- My hunting partner is gone, I miss her so!
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coon
big odd son

Registered: 07/06/06
Posts: 3,243
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Re: microscopes [Re: nofind_um]
#7130122 - 07/04/07 10:08 PM (16 years, 7 months ago) |
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dont really drink much because I become even more intolerable than I already am.I do love jim beam.in the process of moving so my old lady says no go on the scope for now.might get a new mushroom book if I'm lucky,says she.
herbal remedies are a bunch of hocus pocus.
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canid
irregular meat sprocket




Registered: 02/26/02
Posts: 11,912
Loc: looking for zeebras, n. c...
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Re: microscopes [Re: coon]
#7130783 - 07/05/07 02:11 AM (16 years, 7 months ago) |
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hocus pocus like herbs are what a great many commercial medicines are made from...
--------------------
Attn PWN hunters: If you should come across a bluing Psilocybe matching P. pellicolusa please smell it. If you detect a scent reminiscent of Anethole (anise) please preserve a specimen or two for study and please PM me.
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canid
irregular meat sprocket




Registered: 02/26/02
Posts: 11,912
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Re: microscopes [Re: canid]
#7140923 - 07/07/07 02:47 AM (16 years, 7 months ago) |
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i'm wondering how much trouble i'll have obtaining chloral hydrate or a premixed melzers solution. from what i've read it's like gold to those who can get it [who aren't date rapists].
--------------------
Attn PWN hunters: If you should come across a bluing Psilocybe matching P. pellicolusa please smell it. If you detect a scent reminiscent of Anethole (anise) please preserve a specimen or two for study and please PM me.
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InsolentPrude
dark-helmetedknight

Registered: 06/07/07
Posts: 1,228
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Quote:
Alan Rockefeller said: II haven't figured out a good way to add a micrometer to my photos. Suggestions welcome.
they make Eyepiece Micrometers (replaces one of your eyepieces with what's called a reticule. I believe it's universal, you just use a simple conversion calc depending on zoom level. 
they also make slides with pre-printed micrometers on them
-------------------- "You know what they say: if God had been a Liberal, we wouldn't have had the ten commandments. We'd have had the ten suggestions."
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canid
irregular meat sprocket




Registered: 02/26/02
Posts: 11,912
Loc: looking for zeebras, n. c...
Last seen: 1 month, 14 days
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yeah, you make the calibration with a stage rule slide. you get a ratio for different zoom levels that is accurately calibrated for you exact lenses.
edit: jeez, it just occurred to me today that i've had my concept of the objective and subjective positions backward and nobody has ever bothered to correct me. /me slapps forehead.
--------------------
Attn PWN hunters: If you should come across a bluing Psilocybe matching P. pellicolusa please smell it. If you detect a scent reminiscent of Anethole (anise) please preserve a specimen or two for study and please PM me.
Edited by canid (07/07/07 07:44 AM)
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ToxicMan
Bite me, it's fun!


Registered: 06/28/02
Posts: 6,725
Loc: Aurora, Colorado
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Re: microscopes [Re: canid]
#7142730 - 07/07/07 04:09 PM (16 years, 7 months ago) |
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Chloral Hydrate is a federally controlled substance, so it's tough to get. I've been experimenting and have yet to see a real difference between Meltzer's and ordinary Tincture of Iodine that you can buy in the first aid section of a drug store (or often even a grocery store).
Happy mushrooming!
-------------------- Happy mushrooming!
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Workman
1999 Spore War Veteran



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Re: microscopes [Re: ToxicMan]
#7142799 - 07/07/07 04:34 PM (16 years, 7 months ago) |
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I agree, tincture of iodine is a perfectly good substitute and easily obtained.
-------------------- Research funded by the patrons of The Spore Works Exotic Spore Supply My Instagram Reinvesting 25% of Sales Towards Basic Research and Species Identification 
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canid
irregular meat sprocket




Registered: 02/26/02
Posts: 11,912
Loc: looking for zeebras, n. c...
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Re: microscopes [Re: ToxicMan]
#7143111 - 07/07/07 06:29 PM (16 years, 7 months ago) |
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thanks to the both of you. i know you both know your way around a scope much better than most, so the advice is doubly appreciated.
--------------------
Attn PWN hunters: If you should come across a bluing Psilocybe matching P. pellicolusa please smell it. If you detect a scent reminiscent of Anethole (anise) please preserve a specimen or two for study and please PM me.
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