Celestron 44340 LCD Digital Microscope

[cervinae]

I've been browsing various sites looking for a suitable microscope which will allow me to take photos of specimens. Has anyone experience with this model?

Celestron 44340 LCD Digital Microscope with Built in: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

Or is there other brands you'd recommend up to the £200 mark?

Regards, David

[hamadryad]

I would be very interested in the learned opinions on this one, its within budget for me and means i can put images up on the forums and continue promoting mycology, as well as learning a whole new level myself.

[cervinae]

Since chatting with Flaxton who's given me great advice on the microscopic study of fungi I'm not certain if this microscope is suitable. Yes it allows you to take pictures but whether you can accurately measure spores with it I'm not so certain . If it's pictures you wish to take there are specifically designed cameras that can be attatched nicely to scopes. I've decided to spend a little more and the scopes I'm now looking at will probably put me past the £300 mark. I've just got to convince the better half we really need a good microscope But then she's got a degree in microbiology so I'm hoping she wont need much convincing (i.e myself doing all the housework and whatnot)

[Chris Yeates]

sorry but I wouldn't touch this with a bargepole, if you're wanting to do any serious work . . . .

a screen as your only option? x400 as a maximum (I wouldn't be surprised if that x1600 option is the dreaded, effectively meaningless, 'digital zoom' as well - just checked it is!) isn't good enough, nor is 1.3MP if you want to show spore ornamentation etc

look out for second hand equipment (though I suspect that in these straitened times universities are less willing to buy in new stuff than they used to be)

but if you have £200 to spend put it to one side, save a bit more and get something you won't regret

that's my honest opinion

Chris

PS it also doesn't seem to have a substage condenser . . . . . it's also the same as http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bresser-Digi...d_sim_sbs_ce_2

[cervinae]

but if you have £200 to spend put it to one side, save a bit more and get something you won't regret

I'm looking at buying a Brunel scope now . I want no regrets

Regards, David