Quote:
Originally Posted by sjastro
Another aspect to be considered is whether the stereo microscope is to be used for visual or imaging purposes.
I've taken a $450 "no brand" stereo microscope and tuned it into an effective imaging system by coupling a Pentax K-R to one of the eyepiece tubes.
I've made fittings that enable various camera/microscope combinations that include the use of barlow lenses, eyepiece projection as well as the prime focus equivalent to telescope imaging systems.
Regards
Steven
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Hi Steven,
As you have so well expressed, if photography is the thing, than even "modest" microscopes can perform very well.
My stereo microscope (it is a Meiji, model EMZ-5TR) is actually a 'trinocular', so it has an extra light path for the camera, in addition to the two light paths for the eyes.
There is a little lever which switches the image away from one of the two eyepieces, vertically up to the camera; this engages a beamsplitter. (I can still view through the right eyepiece/eyetube, even when the image is reaching the camera)
Here is what the optical assembly looks like:
Using this (admittedly rather expensive) instrument, I can also get from 14 through to 90 power through the two eyepieces, using just a pair of 20x eyepieces. The microscope is able to zoom through this magnification range......though, in general, these 'scopes with large zoom ranges tend to be expensive!
Sometimes I change the magnification simply by changing the eyepieces, as one would with a telescope.
Alternatively, it is possible to screw in an auxiliary lens
in front of the objective, in order to increase the magnification of the instrument. (I am not too happy with this particular solution; I get better optical results from changing to a different eyepiece)
Best regards,
Robert