Scope photography

[Swede]

The recent threads on Microscopes AND photography has me thinking... how useful are the camera ports on the microscopes? Does anyone here use their scope for photography?

There are a few guys on eBay that sell reasonably priced digital cameras that are dedicated to microscope use. They come in two flavors... The better units use what is called a C-mount, and the camera connects to the port that some scope bodies have, just for photography. Since most scopes don't have that port, there is also one that replaces the standard 30mm eyepiece. I'm guessing the idea is to yank an eyepiece, replace it with the camera, and take the shot. I'm also assuming you're going to want to zoom it as far back as you can, unless you want to get some super close-up of a particular feature.

Anyway, is anyone doing this? Is it worth pursuing? Tips appreciated!

 

[coincutter]

i usea drop in
take out the eyepiece and switch to a point 3 diopter for coins
not much use after that re field of view

they have some cool ones that work like a telescope mounting beneath the scope head and pointing at the work
not sure who is selling and how mcuh
probably just as good for average work to get a good digital with close up capabilities

if i stick my cam into one of my lesser scopes the mag is killer - full frame on thetip of a graver
not very practical except to show fines detail
all triocs seem to work different
with mine cant use eyepiece an focus cam at the same time
others may work differently
most beingsold on ebay were designed for telescopes
true scope cams are very pricey
have fun

 

[monk]

swede i got a drop-in digital scope camera on ebay for $40.00.from a dealer in germany. comes with an installation cd. i don't as yet use it on my zoomer, iv'e used it quite a bit to take live video and stills of living cell structures, creepie crawlers, and such. these things should work ok with a zoomer. only deal is your device must hook up to a usb port on a pc to capture the stills. the gadget simply is slipped into one of the scope tubes and you capture and collect the images onto your hard drive. monk45@verizon.net if you have any questions regarding this device.

 

[sam]

I've gotten mediocre results shooting thru a scope with an eyepiece adapter. This was a long time ago and the camera was a Nikon F3 film body. I believe that camera lenses are significantly better than the optics in microscopes (except for maybe Zeiss or Leica scopes). At least that was the case with my old Olympus scope. If I needed super magnification I'd use extension tubes with my macro lens. I believe the image will be much sharper than if I shot thru my scope. I've not made a comparison, and this is just a hunch.

 

[Swede]

Thanks guys. I'm guessing for a professional portfolio, or when you want to show your work to prospective clients, a correct camera with a macro setup (no microscope in the equation) would be the way to go. But for sharing quick details, a section of a practice plate, or web posts, I'm still toying with the idea. It'd be convenient. Pause in the middle of the engraving, swap the eyepiece with a USB camera, and collect the image.

This again is probably one of those deals where you get what you pay for, and the range of eyepiece cameras go from 0.8 megapixels, really low res (and cheap) to much more capable units.

 

[Brian Hochstrat]

How about digital recording? Is there any way to port a digital recorder into the scope? I know there are the side mounted cameras, but what they record is not what is being seen through the scope, making it difficult, to keep the subject matter in the center of the screen. Also what about the porting, most Meiji EMZ don't have a port. Is there an aftermarket topcap with a port that can replace the existing cap, or does the scope have to come from the factory with the port? Any thoughts? Brian

 

[monk]

I've gotten mediocre results shooting thru a scope with an eyepiece adapter. This was a long time ago and the camera was a Nikon F3 film body. I believe that camera lenses are significantly better than the optics in microscopes (except for maybe Zeiss or Leica scopes). At least that was the case with my old Olympus scope. If I needed super magnification I'd use extension tubes with my macro lens. I believe the image will be much sharper than if I shot thru my scope. I've not made a comparison, and this is just a hunch.

sam i will load the appropriate cd into my laptop by monday. this will allow me to take shots thru my new(new to me) scope. i'm more than familiar with scopes, have used them for years. i've just never tried engraving with one. i've cut twice with it and i think i will soon accept it as a natural way to do things. anyway, this digital scope camera gives some really good results-hay for $40.00. when i get it up and running for the zoomer, i'll send you a couple of test pics if you like. the foto of the queen- ho hum---
clarence gatemouth brown, awsomme, dude !

 

[Swede]

Monk, do us a favor and post a couple here for all of us to see. I appreciate you testing this concept out. Those eBay eyepiece cameras seem like a good deal, and as we know, you can pop an eyepiece in or out in about 2 seconds.

 

[monk]

Monk, do us a favor and post a couple here for all of us to see. I appreciate you testing this concept out. Those eBay eyepiece cameras seem like a good deal, and as we know, you can pop an eyepiece in or out in about 2 seconds.

i must wait till monday swede. my laptop is at the computer hospital, and is suffering from diskatitus or something. any way i'm going to use my laptop for foto shots thru the zoomscope. this way i don't have to carry a heavy scope back and forth, or like wise lug a computer around. i could send you a few photomicrographs of protozoa at very high magnification, but such would not give you a clue how clear things would be thru your meiji. i took a chance and got a "scienscope" brand scope. it has the .5 lens. i'm completely happy with the scope. if you want to see the microbugs, send me your e-mail address.
monk45@verizon.net. the bugs were shot thru an american optical binocular laboratory type scope.

 

[DanM]

My son has been trying a little photography through a microscope just using a nikon 4500 and holding it by hand. the process can be as simple as you want to make it and use your availible tools. link to video also with the nikon 4500.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83C3BtQN-mU

 

[monk]

bad news folks: at least with the "scienscope" zoomer, it's not practical to try shootin with this little drop-in. it doesn't like the normal or the .5 lens. i'll resort to using one of my lab scopes. only drawback there, there's no zoom. a very limited choice of magnifications. when i get something useful, probably in about another hour, will send it your way.

 

[monk]

My son has been trying a little photography through a microscope just using a nikon 4500 and holding it by hand. the process can be as simple as you want to make it and use your availible tools. link to video also with the nikon 4500.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83C3BtQN-mU

does he know about www.microscopy-uk.org excellent hideout for scope freaks of any level.