Nice! I see you have a passion too.
I did have a look at blood through my microscope too yesterday and it was fascinating.
I also had a look at slides on eBay and was wondering if I buy them from overseas (for example a serious seller in the US) will there be any problem with customs? I am only asking because I know they are very strict with plants and stuff. There is obviously no danger with slides, but I was wondering if they have any rules with this sort of products? I was thinking of ordering a whole set of 100 slides, so I will be busy this winter.
By the way, concerning the webcam adapter I had an idea yesterday... I grabbed an old webcam I had that somebody had given me (a normal one) and wound a rubber band around its nosepiece, and now it seems to fit the microscope pretty well. I don't think this method would work with a telescope (too much winding), but with a microscope it seems to be fine.
Last edited by OzStarGazer; 08-06-2014 at 12:59 PM.
Oh, the webcam doesn't work on this computer (it is an old webcam and it doesn't work with Windows 8). I also have another computer though and will have a go next week...
Today I tried a couple of shots with a point-and-shoot camera. I just tried 1 setting for these shots and it was not ideal (the outer parts are blurred), but I think if I play around with the settings a point-and-shoot camera isn't that bad either.
The lenses must be cleaned a bit too as there is obviously some dirt....
Can you recognize what these pics are?
Thanks. Yes, they are stems of (respectively) 1.bamboo, 2. cotton, 3. corn and 4. helianthus.
By the way, any idea what this at the back of scope is? It is not explained in the manual. It looks like you can connect something, but I have no idea what.
PS: Is "microphotography" the correct word for taking photos with a microscope?
Last edited by OzStarGazer; 09-06-2014 at 11:13 AM.
I must be crazy... I bought 200 prepared slides! But they are a good brand and from a reputable seller and cost less than 100 here.
I was just wondering if I should also buy something to calibrate my microscope, but for visual purposes only I don't think it is necessary?
Calibrate a microscope? As in with a micrometer slide?
Yes. A micrometer slide and a reticle I think. But they say it is only if you need very accurate measurements, so it is probably not a priority right now.
I got my slides and love them... Is it normal to see something "floating" in front of your eyes? I know that in astronomy floating has to do with turbulences (at high magnifications). I assume it is similar, as the air is obviously not static even between the microscope and the slides?
I've heard that term before, and I believe it is commonly used, but is it correct? For starters, the we're not doing "scopy" anymore but "graphy". And the "photo" in the beginning is just indicating the use of light, which is the same for viewing and recording. Technically, the term microphotography would be more correct, but it may already be taken for regular photography using macro lenses at magnification ratios larger than 1. Which is more or less the same thing anyway...
On a related thought, is a photograph taken with a mobile phone called a phonograph?
I've heard that term before, and I believe it is commonly used, but is it correct? For starters, the we're not doing "scopy" anymore but "graphy".
I just had a look around and I found many terms, so I guess there is no consensus yet.
I have found micrography, microphotography, photomicroscopy, and "microscopic/microscopy images".
I'm keeping that one for future use!
