Fungi Transportation & Microscope Advice Please?

[Rich1990]

Hello everyone,
After reading through one of the old posts about fungi collecting kit, I bought a container from a DIY shop designed to divide up tool parts etc. its great for smaller specimens but what do you guys use to transport larger species like some Tricholoma or Cortinarius species? Dont fancy the look of a trug or a woven basket, worried it might affect my street cred

Also, would any one mind having a look at this model of a Brunel microscope and advising me if they think its worth purchasing, or waiting a while and getting a higher quality one? I want to use it for general fungi ID and be able to see spores etc.

Research Microscopes

I like the look of the trinocular version, and the fact that you can buy x20 and x60 objectives as add-ons.

Any advice would be much appreciated
Rich.

[flaxton]

Rich
I have the SP05 from Brunel which I think is similar to the one you are looking at.
This is the sort of view I get of Mycena cystidia.



I bought this nearly 10 years ago and still find it works well for all my microscope work.

[flaxton]

Re transportation I am afraid I resort to a trug and old marg containers. I do throw the first big specimens I find into the basket so as not to be seen wandering round with an empty basket.

Mal

[Chris Yeates]

I have used a Brunel SP200 for quite a while now - it's the older "chunkier" model:


I have found the company really helpful on several occasions. I'd definitely recommend getting a trinocular version - I now have a trinocular dissecting scope as well, and endlessly taking off the camera and putting it back on again was such a pain (as well as a dust hazard)

The microscope will do all you need (and again I'd recommend getting the x60 objective); the key is making sure you set it up correctly (and this does involve minor tweaks each time you change magnification).

Finally - don't think there'll be nothing to look at over the winter and early spring months . . . . keep an eye on the Fungus Forum for some seasonal pointers

cheers

Chris

PS if / when you do decide to go for one we on WAB can advise on what other stuff you'll need (stains, dissecting equipment etc.) you might as well get it all in with your order

[Ditiola]

Generally you get what you pay for, but probably the most important thing is the quality and design of the objective lens;

Semi-Plan Objectives: Improve the clarity and resolution of an image compared to chromatic lens, by partially "flattening" the image of the specimen.

Plan Lens: The finest objective lens that "flattens" the image of the specimen and greatly enhances the resolution and clarity of the image

I think it is worth saving up for a scope with Plan infinity corrected objective lenses. Which is what I am planning to buy when I have saved up the money

Illumination is important but probably not as important as the objective lens:

Koehler Illumination: A method of illumination named after August Koehler, the man who invented it. It is also known as double diaphragm illumination because it employs both a field and an aperture iris diaphragm to control the illumination. If the light path is adjusted properly, it is possible to enjoy the advantages of an evenly illuminated field, a bright image without glare and minimum heating of the specimen.


A mechanical stage is not essential but it is a pain not to have one

Mechanical Stage: A flat mechanism that sits on top of the stage and allows the viewer to move a specimen small distances - a task that is otherwise difficult at higher magnifications. Most mechanical stages are equipped with an X and Y axis so the viewer can see how far the slide has moved.


Peter

[Rich1990]

Thanks Chris & Mal
Yea that would be great, I have wanted a scope for some time now and decided to buy a compound before I get a stereo, I have very little experience with them so any advice on additional equipment and setting everything up would be greatly appreciated!
Was just looking at the Brunel SP150 model, this has PLAN objectives which I understand are of very high quality? Its more expensive but I don't mind if I'm paying for quality that will last

[Rich1990]

Cheers Peter,
you posted your reply as I was posting mine
The SP150 has PLAN objectives and it has Kohler illumination.

[BROCSMAN]

I'd definitely recommend making an appointment, and going to see them. Helen, who is their demonstrator, will talk you through what you want, and come up with options based on your budget, and let you try them. I got an SP250 which was brand new, but had been put in their used section because it didn't exactly match the original customer's spec.

They couldn't be more helpful.

(No - I don't work for them!)

[Nick_in_Scotland]

Originally Posted by Rich1990

Hello everyone,
After reading through one of the old posts about fungi collecting kit, I bought a container from a DIY shop designed to divide up tool parts etc. its great for smaller specimens but what do you guys use to transport larger species like some Tricholoma or Cortinarius species? Dont fancy the look of a trug or a woven basket, worried it might affect my street cred

I have found cardboard egg boxes to be good for transporting medium sized fungi without them moving about too much. I lay them lengthwise so that the cap sit nicely in one of the egg depressions and it is locked in place when I close the box (as long as it's not too big to get squashed). Once inside the egg box, they can then be transported in plastic bags or whatever without worrying about them "sweating" and turning into mush. There can be a problem though if there is heavy rain and the egg box turns to mush....

The only other disadvantage was once when I was cycling back from a field trip and was stopped by the police and searched (must have a suspicious look about me ). They did not ask too much about why I had an empty egg box with me amongst my bike repair tools. Luckily I had not decided to take any specimens back that day or presumably I would have to explain why I had an egg box containing mushrooms my back pack!

[Chris Yeates]

Originally Posted by Nick_in_Scotland

I have found cardboard egg boxes to be good for transporting medium sized fungi without them moving about too much.

Good idea! I find them useful for drying voucher specimens as well - especially now that the central heating is on; pop them into the compartments (along with a note as to which collection they are), put the eggboxes on the boiler and the fungi dry nicely without 'cooking', the cardboard taking up the moisture and then sending it out to the atmosphere

Chris