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A question about techniques and equipments

Posted: 16.09.2006 20:47
by mireille
Hello guys,

I am passionate with macrophotography as well as microphotography wich is by now just a dream. My researches on the subjet and equipment needed made me change my mind to give a try as it is very expensive and complicate for setting..but the very small world is still attracting me!

Is there some ways for an amateur to arrange a setting equipment with microscope, stand, lighting and camera adaptor, easy to fix and not that much expensive???

If you think so, is it possible to display images or link to some pages of that kind of easy and affordable setting???

Thank you very much!

Posted: 17.09.2006 21:10
by Dan Kozub
Hello!

I've heard that Nikon Coolpix (4500,5500,9500) are often used by micoscopists. They are quite cheap and adapters can be found easily. You'd better ask it in some specialized forums.

I would recomment do ask here:

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/Microscope/

Re: A question about techniques and equipments

Posted: 18.09.2006 21:04
by TomMeeks
mireille wrote:Hello guys,

I am passionate with macrophotography as well as microphotography wich is by now just a dream. My researches on the subjet and equipment needed made me change my mind to give a try as it is very expensive and complicate for setting..but the very small world is still attracting me!

Is there some ways for an amateur to arrange a setting equipment with microscope, stand, lighting and camera adaptor, easy to fix and not that much expensive???

If you think so, is it possible to display images or link to some pages of that kind of easy and affordable setting???

Thank you very much!
While I'm not an expert on the subject I'm at least a little ways down the road in that same quest.

The first question I'd have for you is what KIND of microscope are you intending to use... a low powered stereo for gems, etc or a compound microscope for protista, etc. Do you already have a microscope that you would like to fit with a camera or will you have to be selecting one to use.

The more we know about your goals the better.

I have learned this. You CAN do this relatively inexpensively. But, the lower the investment in dolaars the higher the effort in setup time after time.

There are FAR more experienced people up here when it comes to microphotography. These experiments are crude by comparison. But you can view some of my early attempts at:

http://s101.photobucket.com/albums/m47/ ... icroscope/

Posted: 20.09.2006 03:44
by mireille
Hello Dan,

I've seen some setting as you mentionned with the nikon..I can confirm the image quality as I own one :wink:

@ Tom ..all tha I've seen have been done with stereo microscopes very expensive.. :roll:
The only things I owned are cameras... I would consider giving a try if finding a settlement not that much expensive including microscope, support and lighting would do some pretty good results..

Thank you both for the links!

To Dan: I've been too long to post this message and saw your message..funny! :lol:

It all depends on your budget.

Posted: 20.09.2006 05:48
by TomMeeks
If you do not have a microscope as yet, that would be the first thing to think about. I own a variety of low-to-moderate scopes that are suitable for students. I have not purchased a high-end scope as yet.

Interestingly, the scope that I've had the best luck interfacing to a Casio EX-P505 using the digiscope technique is one of the least expensive I have. The LED lamp really seems to help.

Do you want to do this just as a hobby or so you can show to children... or, do you want to pursue it seriously as Charles Krebs has done?

My goals are modest in that I would like to find ways for young children to be able to see the wonders of the microscopic world. This means large screen video and/or images from people like Charles.

Posted: 22.09.2006 22:22
by mireille
I have some macro lenses that allow me to acheive 10 x ..but I was temptated with trying to get far more thant that with a microscope ..but the more I search for interesting photography the more I realize it takes expensive equipement ! (my goal was to realized good quality images of insects to build a micro gallery with prints available)
Anyway...your informations a gratly appreciated Tom, thank's! :wink:

I like your insects video..it's a good way to observe some behavior!

Posted: 23.09.2006 04:37
by TomMeeks
mireille wrote:I have some macro lenses that allow me to acheive 10 x ..but I was temptated with trying to get far more thant that with a microscope ..but the more I search for interesting photography the more I realize it takes expensive equipement ! (my goal was to realized good quality images of insects to build a micro gallery with prints available)
Anyway...your informations a gratly appreciated Tom, thank's! :wink:

I like your insects video..it's a good way to observe some behavior!
Start with the macro lenses. Even if they do not give you everyhting you want, it will be a learning process. Then build your equipment over time. Never stop doing something simply becuase you can't afford the perfect tools. You have a Nikon and you have the macro lenses. All you need are bugs, lights and the/or the great outdoors.

The ULTIMATE goal is to produce images like Charles Krebs. But, there is plenty of adventure and achievement between where you are now and that level.

I'm not even trying to capture live bugs. And, even though I now have a serious macro lens, I started seeing what it would take with a refurbished Casio EX-P505 that I picked up for under $200 and a $60 add-on macro. That taught me the same thing the expensive lens would have taught me about depth of field, focus and light on a small scale.

Don't abandon your goals becuase of daunting expenses for the top of the line equipment. As far as microscopes go, I'll take some shots with the Premiere Multi-Study Scope, a monaural 20x scope that would be just fine for a start.
You can buy it for $55 (US) or less on the internet.

http://www.fatbraintoys.com/toy_compani ... _scope.cfm

You will want to use it outdoors or with some lights. And, you'll want to weight the base if your camera is heavy. But, it will get you started.

Posted: 23.10.2006 22:52
by mireille
Many thank's for the reply Tome..and the link for the miscroscope...
This would allow me the settlements I would like to try!

If children enjoy it..I will for sure and it will be a good start and practice for techniques..you are absolutely right! :wink: