Northwest Lichenologists

microscopes

  • 10 Aug 2017 6:29 AM
    Message # 5022947
    Deleted user

    Could anyone recommend a high value stereoscope with USB camera? Price range variable to quality 

  • 11 Aug 2017 11:15 AM
    Reply # 5025113 on 5022947

    Leica makes a variety of good scopes. Here is what my husband says:


    Brian May from Leica was just here demonstrating a Leica S9i stereo microscope with integrated digital camera.  It comes with a nice
    LED ring light.  Had good optics, very sharp, bright image with good depth of field.  Also had a pretty big working distance, room to
    get your hands or a large specimen.  Has continuous zoom with click stops.  Camera outputs hdmi, usb, sd card, or ethernet, 10MP
    camera does all major file formats including avi at 1080p.

    Cost is under $4k, so makes it within range for a home lab. Version without the integrated camera but with a photo tube is $2800.
    a very nice microscope for the price.

    http://www.leica-microsystems.com/products/stereo-microscopes-macroscopes/routine-manual/details/product/leica-s9-e/

  • 11 Aug 2017 11:19 AM
    Reply # 5025136 on 5022947
    Deleted user

    I'd be very interested in any replies to this question, also. Note Bruce's recommendations from Microlichens of the PNW, v1: Key to the Genera, p1:


    Nikon, Olympus, Wild or Zeiss, pass on the oil immersion lens; 4x, 10x, 20x and 40x objectives with 10x eyepieces; good bright-field optics; add polarizing filters for head and light source, and a micrometer reticle for one eye piece.


    A side note: I received my copies of v1 & v2 last week and they are a fantastic new resource for Northwest Lichenologists, opening up the world of microlichens, particularly crustose, but their gelatinous, blackish, nonfilamentous and calicioid brethren, as well. The two volume discount deal is particularly enticing. But to dig in, you do need a good compound microscope.


  • 13 Aug 2017 12:35 PM
    Reply # 5027658 on 5022947
    Deleted user

    Thank you Daphne and Craig for your responses!


    The Leica S9i stereoscope will hopefully be within my reasoned price range soon (when my love for lichen equates my experience in the field) and, of course, when I can afford such a gift. 


    I would love stereoscope recommendations with macrolichen examination in mind featuring high-quality USB Mac-friendly cameras and ideally LED light rings that top out at $750 before investing in a high tier microscope. 


    When the time is right I will happily be enticed by the two volume discount and dig in to Microlichens of the PNW. I'm borrowing a friend's old compound microscope and am curious to hear about people's experiences with OMAX compound/stereo microscopes for micro/macro lichen enthusiasts alike. 










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