Microscope Advice

[ron1863]

Having recently taken an interest in fungi, I am thinking of buying a microscope this year, but really don't have a clue what to buy. Looking through various fungi sites I am in the market for a binocular scope with a minimum x1000 magnification.
I have looked at the review section - nothing, which surprised me as there are so many fungi enthusiasts here.

What do other WAB members use and what would you recommend

[flaxton]

Ron
From past threads on this subject Brunell is generally a good place to start. They are always helpful and although they are not the cheapest I have heard no complaints leveled against them. I seem to think someone was even advised by them to go for a lower priced model.

Mal

[SheffieldLass]

Hi Ron

I have a Zenith Advanced Student L microscope, monocular. It seems to be very well built for a reasonable price, so I've been very pleased with it. Though it doesn't have 1000x ability without upgrading to an ABBE condenser.

However if I were buying again I'd certainly look at their BM-100FL model, which is a binocular that does 1000x, so it would meet your basic specification. But be aware that you do need a mechanical stage, and a measuring eyepiece. They come as extras (quite expensive) .. not sure if you can say you want those things when you buy, rather than the standard package, but certainly worth asking.

LED lighting is now found on some microscopes, which has the advantage of not getting hot. Though they seem to have rechargeable batteries which is good if you are out in the field with it, or where there is no power ... but not sure how often in reality you would need that, but could be annoying if it is always discharged when you want to use it ...

Melanie

[mollisia]

Originally Posted by ron1863

Having recently taken an interest in fungi, I am thinking of buying a microscope this year, but really don't have a clue what to buy. Looking through various fungi sites I am in the market for a binocular scope with a minimum x1000 magnification.
I have looked at the review section - nothing, which surprised me as there are so many fungi enthusiasts here.

What do other WAB members use and what would you recommend

Hi,

this question is only to answer when you give an idea of how much money you want to or can spend for it.
I would strongly recommend a binocular tubus and 1000x magnification. There is no half way exact measuring with only 400x.

In my opinion a new microscope for mycological purposes is not to get below 500 Euro. There are sometimes offers for 2nd hand microscopes and there you can get for the same amount quite good ones. But buying optical things 2nd hand from someone you don't know can be a problem. I have bought last year ´two Olympus CH2 for 400 and 450 Euro, which is a reasonable price for a really good microscope. Those offers are seen here and there, and if the seller is a professional he will usually give you some insurance even if it is a used model.

I'm not sure whether one should recommend LED or not, because it is not sure yet how much intensive looking into LED light may cause eye problems with the years.

best regards,
Andreas

[Chris Yeates]

Originally Posted by flaxton

Ron
From past threads on this subject Brunell is generally a good place to start. They are always helpful and although they are not the cheapest I have heard no complaints leveled against them. I seem to think someone was even advised by them to go for a lower priced model.

Mal

That was me I have found them very helpful; I got a trinocular SP200 of theirs, as I intended to do photography down the 'scope see: http://www.brunelmicroscopes.co.uk/r...icroscope.html and am very happy with it (though the spec. particularly the base on their current version looks slightly different from mine) - I would always recommend getting a x60 objective as well, measuring spores at any thing less can be a bit iffy

Andreas has mentioned selling microscopes recently, so he will have sensible advice; eyepiece micrometers from Brunel are actually quite cheap - I could lend you a stage micrometer - you only need to calibrate the eyepiece one once

obviously these are early days Ron, there's no need to rush into a purchase and there's bound to be lots of good advice on this site; if you can - and if you haven't already - have a look at someone else's equipment (oooh matron!) and familiarise yourself with what you like and don't like about it

cheers

Chris

[cybershot]

Not too sure whether it would benefit Ron or not but the ABFG supply microscopes for use by the membership of local groups.

David

[ron1863]

Originally Posted by cybershot

Not too sure whether it would benefit Ron or not but the ABFG supply microscopes for use by the membership of local groups.

David

Cheers David but I doubt they would supply a membership of 1
I live in a small village only 10 miles from Glasgow yet the nearest fungi club that I can find is in Edinburgh, 45 miles away. I suppose, looking on the bright side is that I have all those fungi in my local area all to myself.

Thanks everyone for the advice, it is a purchase I certainly won't rush into.

Ron

[Nick_in_Scotland]

Originally Posted by mollisia

I'm not sure whether one should recommend LED or not, because it is not sure yet how much intensive looking into LED light may cause eye problems with the years.

Hi Andreas,

This is a slight concern of mine as I was using a small white LED torch with the mirror on my old microscope. I could not find much on the internet about the possible risks. It seems that the main risk would be from ultraviolet light which is generated by white LEDs. I always thought that glass prevented the transmission of UV light - you cannot get sunburn through a window for instance. Surely the glass in the lenses of the microscope would block the UV light. In any case I cannot see anyone acheiving a suntan from a white LED which suggests that it is less damaging than being outside on a sunny day.

I suspect that there are no risks at all as long as the lighting level does not hurt or dazzle your eyes.

Nick.

[Chris Yeates]

Originally Posted by Nick_in_Scotland

Hi Andreas,

This is a slight concern of mine as I was using a small white LED torch with the mirror on my old microscope. I could not find much on the internet about the possible risks. It seems that the main risk would be from ultraviolet light which is generated by white LEDs. I always thought that glass prevented the transmission of UV light - you cannot get sunburn through a window for instance. Surely the glass in the lenses of the microscope would block the UV light. In any case I cannot see anyone acheiving a suntan from a white LED which suggests that it is less damaging than being outside on a sunny day.

I suspect that there are no risks at all as long as the lighting level does not hurt or dazzle your eyes.

Nick.

hi Nick

please be careful Nick glass does not prevent the transmission of UV light; I work in museums, where damage to objects by UV is a major problem; while glass cuts out some UV light it does not prevent it - we use special film on windows, on lights in cases, etc.

have you never noticed fabrics fading in sunlight? that's done by the UV in the spectrum

you may correct that the amount from a small torch going all the way through the multuple lenses of a compound 'scope might be minimal, but don't forget - you're looking at a focussed beam of light

I would contact a local specialist lighting company - let on that you would like some samples of anti-UV film as you're thinking of doing up your conservatory and put that over your light source

sorted

cheers

Chris

[Nick_in_Scotland]

Originally Posted by Chris Yeates

I would contact a local specialist lighting company - let on that you would like some samples of anti-UV film as you're thinking of doing up your conservatory and put that over your light source

Thanks for that suggestion Chris . Although I'm thinking that the risks are very low it's always worth the "belts and braces" approach when it comes to taking care of your eyes. A bit like the precautions needed when eating wild mushrooms- the risks are low but the consequences of failure are severe!

Nick.