Cheap Digital Microscopy
Whilst most of the specimens I photograph are over 5mm long, I am finding that anything smaller does not have enough detail when I use my macro lens. My subjects are small insects in the field and small parts of (sometimes small) museum specimens. I am fairly certain that extension tubes will do the job for the leafhopper-sized insects and probably Collembola, but my museum work seems to be heading towards getting a digital microscope.
My supervisor and I have been looking at reasonably priced attachments and whole systems, but have yet to come close to reaching a decision. Unexpectedly, there was an article in The Phasmid Study Group newsletter (which arrived today along with the British Dragonfly Society newsletter and journal) about a cheap USB microscope. The model featured was a Summit Microfix Digital USB Microscope which can be purchased for <£50 on Amazon.
Although it is hard to see exactly how good the images produced by the microscope are, I can make out stick insect individual ocelli and fine hairs on the antennae. Whilst I think the image quality looks good enough, I am uncertain how easy it would be to increase the limited depth of field by “stacking” multiple images. From the photos of the microscope, it does not look like it comes with a stand. Amazon reviews of other microscopes made by what looks like the same company are not entirely favourable, with some potential driver issues for Mac and some XP users.
I will try and contact the author to see if it would be easy to attempt depth stacking and to have a look at her images in more detail.
Tags: microscopy, PSG
I’d been keen to learn more about this Laurence – sounds promising and I’m sure you could stack the images with Combine ZM or similar. Just could be too good to be true at <£50!
I’m interested in hearing what you decide and seeing your resulting images. I’ve been using the Canon MP-E 65mm lens to great success but wondered how it would compare to close-up shots with a microscope.
What macro lens are you currently using? Alex Wild has posted his SLR vs. Microscope comparisons over at his blog: http://myrmecos.wordpress.com/2009/02/11/slr-vs-microscope-for-imaging-museum-specimens/
@ Tristan: Yeah, £50 sounds too cheap for a decent image!
@ Kolby: For the museum work I am using my Nikon stock lens (18-55mm) with a x10 Hoya macro filter. I got a Sigma 105mm macro lens for taking photos of insects in the field.
I prefer using the stock lens at the museum because I can slightly alter the focal depth without physically moving the camera and the specimen stacks fairly easily. This is usually fine for 5mm and bigger specimens, but not good for smaller specimens or taking photos of legs hairs or tarsal claws.
I have heard good things about the Canon MP-E but for now I am limited to using Nikon lenses.
Hi, I’m from Indonesia. A few days ago I also bought a USB microscope at a online computer store. I bought it for my biology assignment. I think this tool is very practical and multifunctional. Nice gadget. .:)