What microscope

[Welsh gary]

I am thinking of buying a microscope but which one. What magnification do I need up too too look for parasites. I have been looking at the Brunel sp27d, but don't have much idea yet. Any help would be great thanks

 

[Stephen T.]

By parasites, do you mean small creatures that are on fish? If so, I'd recommend a stereo dissecting microscope with about 10X, many are zoom types and can run from around 5X-20X. Seeing things in 3d makes a huge difference in spotting things and/or working on them. If you are looking for single cell organisms, you'll want more power and likely not stereo.

 

[Mmathis]

@Welsh gary More so than brand, is how you plan to use your scope. They are available in whatever price range you are willing to pay. The link below might help you decide on a type of scope.

https://www.microscope.com/how-to-buy/

 

[MitchM]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/AmScope-20...527909&hash=item5d4f05627a:g:sOcAAOSwvx5bYJIN

 

[Mucky_Waters]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/AmScope-20...527909&hash=item5d4f05627a:g:sOcAAOSwvx5bYJIN

I haven't been able to figure out why everything else out there that has a camera in it (cameras, phones, TVs, computer monitors, security cameras, etc...) has gone HD 1920 x 1080, or 4K 4096 x 2160, but the cameras offered in digital microscopes are often still very low resolution like 640 x 480. What's up with that?

 

[MitchM]

It must be because of the cost of accommodating the higher resolution sensor.
You can buy a high res sensor suitable for larger a viewing area, but you're looking at about $4K US.
https://www.microscopeworld.com/c-526-high-resolution-cameras.aspx

If you have your own DSLR, maybe try and fit an adaptor for it instead.
https://www.microscopeinternational...75Ka2VbsK0KTl-kTD98RI44qFy3bq4MhoCDMAQAvD_BwE

 

[Mucky_Waters]

It must be because of the cost of accommodating the higher resolution sensor.

Nah, there are plenty of cheap tiny camera gadgets out there that have HD sensors in them. https://www.amazon.ca/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=tiny+hd+camera
Most of them are less than 100 bucks, so so I'm wondering why it cost $4,000+ to put one of those sensors in a "microscopy" camera head?

 

[MitchM]

The only other factors I can think of would be microscope lens quality and illumination level.
Microscopes do not use very bright light.
This information is getting above my pay-grade.

 

[Mucky_Waters]

The only other factors I can think of would be microscope lens quality and illumination level.
Microscopes do not use very bright light.

Yeah, I was wondering if it has something to do with that, but can find no information about that. To tell you the truth I haven't really searched in a while so I just went through the motions again and did come up with something new.
https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/produc...digital-eyepiece-camera-dn10-0/10423360.aspx?
This head has a resolution of 3856 x 2764, so definitely HD and under $600, which still seems steep compared to other small gadgets but a lot cheaper than those other ones you posted. The only problem is, it is so new there are no 3rd party reviews or youtube videos online about it yet.

 

[MitchM]

Apparently iphones have had issues with low light images.
https://www.idownloadblog.com/2018/07/23/sony-48mp-smartphone-camera-sensor/

There's a new sensor out that sounds good, but who knows what kind of processor you need to run it.
https://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/News/Press/201807/18-060E/index.html

 

[Stephen T.]

I didn't look close, but there are quite a few articles on using a cell phone camera with a conventional microscope.

 

[MitchM]

I didn't look close, but there are quite a few articles on using a cell phone camera with a conventional microscope.

You're right.
A quick search came up with this:
https://www.ilabcam.com/products/labcam-for-iphone