Microscope Help

[NickCantle]

Hi people,

I've been playing with my new Microscope for a couple of days now and it strikes me that I'm drastically lacking in 'stuff' to make this fantastic instrument of science of use to me, mycologically speaking. So really just after a little advice for the microscope users on the forum

1. The first time I used oil, the image was very clear (using the x100 objective) and I could make out spores very well. I was even looking at and identifying cheilocystidia, which isn't all that easy on your first hour of using your 'scope! However, when I was using it today, the image wasn't quite as clear- it was a bit more murky and harder to focus. How do you clean your objectives after oil immersion?

2. I have a feeling that dust is going to become a pain in the backside. I can already see specks that I can't seem to get rid of, and I dread to think how much Brunel charge to clean it up. I have come to think that dust is going to just be one of those things that can't be prevented completely.

3. I have no stage micrometer so I have no means of calibrating my Eyepiece Micrometer. Neil (Fairplay) has one that I've asked to borrow, but that'll be quite a while until we meet. What good is a scope without a measuring feature for two weeks full of fungi?

4. Sometimes I really don't know what I'm looking for I think oh look, there's a spore, oh look! Another one! Then i see more and they're different structures etc.

5. I have no literature on how to use a microscope, or nothing to help me along the way, and to be honest, the instruction manual that came with the Brunel is absolute sh*te.

6. I have no decent literature on mycology! I would very much like to know what books and resources people use when concerning the 'scope.

Apologies for dumping that on you, but I feel way out of depth even though I was taught by Michael Jordan LOL It's embarrassing really, but there's no better way than to ask people.

All help would be both appreciated and accepted gratefully,

Cheers,

Micronick

[Stewy]

Can't really help Nick but have you got a white lab coat?

[NickCantle]

Not yet, you think it might solve all of those?

[Stewy]

Originally Posted by NickCantle

Not yet, you think it might solve all of those?

Yup!

[Ukwildlifeo]

Im not myclogist, but Hve just finished a masters in micropalaeontology where we used oil immersion lens on the 'scopes to looked at playnology slides (spores/pollen/organic walled microfossils). Anyway getting to the point we had to used proper lens cleaning wipes to clean then lenses as the oil tended to dry on the lens which ruined the view. Othere than that nothing of use to you springs to mind! sorry

[NickCantle]

I'll look into purchasing some of those, thank you

Actually;

7. I haven't got a digital eyepiece that I NEED! It's hard finding one that's not ridiculously expensive and that's compatible with Mac.

[Hedge Witch]

For getting oil out of an objective (if it is inside), you can try immersion in xylene overnight followed by evaporation to remove, but I'm unsure if this chemical is available to the general public - highly dangerous.

To be honest, I don't think this is usually necessary for an oil lens (of a quality make) but I'm no expert.

Does the same blurry sample look OK at x40?

Dust?

Maybe cover it, if a cover was supplied.

[NickCantle]

Oh it's nothing major like that I use the dust cover whenever it's not being used. At x100 and x600 it looks fine. Maybe I didn't cover it properly. I sometimes have the problem of the 100x objective squishing whatever I'm looking at- of course it does no damage due to the spring loaded objective, but I didn't think the objective should actually have to touch the slide to focus.

[CapAndBracket]

Youre right about the instruction manual.

I don't know if it's right but i had an idea which i use with oil immersion.
I leave the last slide used up against the lense so the lense dosn't dry
out IE it's sat in oil on slide until next time.

As soon as you have finnished looking down scope on with dust cover.

Get some lense tissues for when you need to clean.

If you can photograph down the eye piece i can let you know
how my scales were done (fairly accurate so a start).

Cheers J.P.

[Hedge Witch]

Originally Posted by NickCantle

I sometimes have the problem of the 100x objective squishing whatever I'm looking at- of course it does no damage due to the spring loaded objective, but I didn't think the objective should actually have to touch the slide to focus.

Don't like oil immersion lenses/ haven't used them much myself, but I was under the impression that they shouldn't touch the specimen.

A tip when using coverslips (you do use those, right?) is to use nail polish to fix round the edges of the coverslips before microscopy. Then if you have to use oil, you can wipe it off, to store the slide or use a non-oil lens afterwards.

The use of a good mounting medium means slides can be stored in the fridge for a long time - long enough to sort out your Mac/imaging and measuring problems (don't u have Leopard? - time for a switch ).

Ahh - but maybe mycologists don't fix their samples - it's a new World for me. Fixing prolongs "shelf" life.

Anyway, let me know how you get on.