Microscope education

[o.c.d.]

I am in the process of educating myself on microscopes. I would like to view things like phytoplankton and diatoms ect.. so First problem whey to many types to choose from. I also would like to take pics of the organisms but every set up seems to be for PC I run a Mac.I pretty sure I'd be looking for a compound microscope with a digital camera tube. The magnification X's I'm unsure of and how to make sure the field of view is correct for the critters I'm looking at. If anyone could push me in the right direction I would greatly appreciate it. O and my price range would be under $500.

 

[reef_research]

This may be of some use to you, as they post magnification amounts and model.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-12/feature/index.php

*If the link doesn't work, then look for the article titled "Microscope Life" on the RC homepage.

 

[Trickman2]

any recommendations on a good microscopes?

 

[Tyrenlds]

Just got this for my girlfriend : http://www.amazon.com/Celestron-44102-Laboratory-Biological-Microscope/dp/B000Q7964S

She's a Bio major and wanted to check out all the little life's in our new tank... she picked it out and said it's better than those at the university... extremely cheap for what it does IMO. BTW, a 10x eye piece plus 40x zoom = 400x total. Keep that in mind when shopping. Good luck

 

[SaltyNovice]

I'm a 5th grade science teacher in Texas. We use a product called "Blue Scope" - It sounds a lot like what you are looking for. I have no idea if it is what you need or not. I don't even know how much they are - Seems like I heard 350.00 one time in a meeting. Three different magnifications. Digital/Camera/Video also. I'll see what I can find and try to get back to you.


I did a quick search and found this. It really may not be serious enough for you, but it is what we use for the students. Do a search for this : QX5 Microscope - Digital Blue QX5 Digital Microscope - It looks like this one is only about 100.00 or so.


QX5 USB Microscope Now featuring:

This digital microscope has super-brite LED lighting for brighter, longer lasting top and bottom illumination
QX5 digital microscope now has higher resolution (640x480) for more detailed images
video playback now three times faster at 15 frames per second*
sample measurement tools built into the software
Now works on Windows Vista and Microsoft Windows XP, 2000, 98, 98SE, ME.

Now that I put all this on here - I noticed you said Mac. So I guess this want help - SORRY - :rolleye1:

 

[o.c.d.]

Thank you for your efforts, A little underpowered but very cool your students must love that,and when I looked it up it says you can buy softwear to be compatible with Mac. I found Celestron makes quite a few and still searching for Mac softwear to work with them.