Our tank's biology up close

Darn it. I was actually going to try and use the scope late last night and got caught up trying to get the new usb3 camera to work. Everything was seeing it and saying it was normal except Toupview the one thing I need to see it.

I tried downloading from Touptek, on a desktop, and even tried using the same software just rebranded from Amscope. Nothing.

So, I emailed Touptek and AVC Emporium where I bought the camera from. Dave from AVC Emporium emailed me back pretty quick with a download link to an even newer version then what is on Touptek's website. The camera now shows up in Toupview so I'm super excited to try and use it all tonight.

This version compared to the version I was running with the 5MP Omax camera has a lot more features which I still need to dive into the ones that were there before.
 
Thanks. I'll probably pull from my algae scrubber as its so far my favorite spot to find a nice diversity of life.

Then I'll work on getting samples from various levels of my substrate.
 
I'm finally getting around to uploading the pictures and eventually here the videos from late last night. I have to get use to the new setup for sure. The microscope though is amazing. Having the two sets of diaphragms/iris controls + the condenser levels was confusing at first but once I got a hang of it really cleared everything up and was incredible the quality of images I was seeing. Between the advanced light controls and the better objectives, plus getting 5 on there all dry, it was well worth the upgrade to me. I could see clearly all the way up through the 100x objectives. I LOVE not having to use the oil as I like to switch between all the objectives all the time. I'm just really impressed at the difference between the Omax and Accu-scope and didn't think it was going to be that much of a difference. I also don't think it's just the objectives alone. The lighting controls really I think is the biggest difference. I didn't even touch the camera software contrast controls and I could easily and clearly see the ciliates' cilia.

The camera/software on the other hand I'm not so thrilled about so far. But I don't think it's the camera's fault. I think this newest version that's not even on ToupTek's site yet is kind of buggy. It would randomly crash on me at times. And would pixilate here and there and when adjusting exposure rates would flair pink colors. The auto exposure on it is terrible now as well which I would use at times before but usually go manual exposure. The software was also not seeming able to take full advantage of the higher frame rates capable of the camera especially at higher magnifications. At lower magnifications and low exposure times I was able to hit just over 30fps. Hopefully a new(er) version comes out soon.

There's also some vignetting going on which I was slightly disappointed in and the field of view is less then what I was use to going from the omax 5MP .5x mount to the 1x mount that's on there now. I see there.s a 0.67x mount available for this scope and thinking of trying it out.

I'll get some pics and vids posted once I get them all uploaded and somewhat organized. But that's my first impressions so far. Microscope is awesome, camera I don't know yet but need to try a different mount, and newest software to detect camera is buggy.
 
 
 
This thing was very interesting and vigorously moving around. I got motion sick trying to keep up with it.

ATS_Sample_with_new_AccuScope_EXC-350-0026(2) by Jason, on Flickr


And found a smaller one
ATS_Sample_with_new_AccuScope_EXC-350-0028(2) by Jason, on Flickr

ATS_Sample_with_new_AccuScope_EXC-350-0029(2) by Jason, on Flickr

ATS_Sample_with_new_AccuScope_EXC-350-0030(2) by Jason, on Flickr

Size comparison to an isopod
ATS_Sample_with_new_AccuScope_EXC-350-0031(2) by Jason, on Flickr

ATS_Sample_with_new_AccuScope_EXC-350-0032(2) by Jason, on Flickr
 
 
VIDEO

edit: oh yeah, if you have a good connection crank these up to 1080p!! Previous video could only do 720p.

I have to start with this one. I'm not sure exactly what it is. Moves much faster then the baby bristle worms I've seen before but resembles them all the same. I did not see any bristles though.

Previous video of a tiny bristle worm
https://youtu.be/lNiB7dPaECI

Maybe this is them even younger? They are much smaller then the same pods as seen in that video above which is bigger then the pod.

Either way this sucker can move AND I caught it eating and swallowing some food here at the beginning. I followed it for a very long time hoping to catch it doing it again. I had to stop as I was getting very motion sick. lol
https://youtu.be/uRqV9ME_hQk
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uRqV9ME_hQk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


As it was going along I caught another one even smaller.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCxj_w4aJWw&feature=youtu.be
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lCxj_w4aJWw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
Last edited:
Played around again tonight with another sample from my ATS.

I got the .67x C-Mount in and I think I like it better. FOV of a bit better and the vignetting and reduced to almost nothing. There is a very slight amount in the corners still and mainly seen at the 4x/10x objectives. 10x less so. 4x definitely so. But I rarely ever use the 4x. I'm thinking of replacing the 4x with a 20x. So, it would be 10x, 20x, 40x, 60x, and 100x on the nosepiece. I like the focusing on the .67x c-mount better then the one on the 1x as well. The 1x mount was an Allen wrench and had to manually very carefully adjust up and down. Which at least it had that to focus the camera to the eyepieces. The .67x mount has a focusing ring you twist back and forth and easier to fine tune the focus to the eye pieces.

The slightly wider FOV also seemed to allow more light in which allowed me to reduce the exposure which in effect helped increase the frame rate which was a nice added bonus. I also played around a bit more with the irises and switching to camera only allowed a ton of light to the camera. Super awesome the Exc-350 allows light to be split between eyepieces and camera or camera only. Every little bit of playing around helped and was able to keep the frame rates up closer to around 30fps which was awesome. So, happy there now and will keep trying things to help.

The latest version of ToupView though still is a bit buggy. Auto exposure sucks now, even just the slightest bit of over exposure flairs pink, and still had a couple crashes. I still need to email them. Otherwise though it's full of a lot of new features I really have got to dive into. One of them is not a new feature and that is to get the measurements added to the pictures. I just need to take the time to do it.

I also played around with some darkfield stops. Not so impressed with it. I did find the software has an feature for darkfield correction which actually helped a good bit but still wasn't to impressed. I got a bit better with it and maybe I just need more practice to get better but I preferred the brightfield to it but could be just me too.

Then finally I found an ID to something I've seen several times in the past. It turns out this something is poop. I was able to capture a copepod eating, digesting, and pooping. :D

Pictures and videos will be uploading here soon.

But overall
I'm extremely happy with the new microscope and more then I though I would be and look forward to more additions to it like phase contrast and 20x lens
getting happier with the camera and capture software but wish there was 0 vignetting
disappointed the new software is a bit buggy and hope they fix it
not so impressed with the darkfield but could be me and need more practice
 
 
 
 
Then I found the darkfield correction in the capture software and I think helped reduce some of the "glowing" and softness.

ATS_Sample_with_new_AccuScope_EXC-350_part2-0049 by Jason, on Flickr

ATS_Sample_with_new_AccuScope_EXC-350_part2-0050 by Jason, on Flickr

This is my favorite darkfield image I took
ATS_Sample_with_new_AccuScope_EXC-350_part2-0051 by Jason, on Flickr

ATS_Sample_with_new_AccuScope_EXC-350_part2-0053 by Jason, on Flickr

ATS_Sample_with_new_AccuScope_EXC-350_part2-0056 by Jason, on Flickr

ATS_Sample_with_new_AccuScope_EXC-350_part2-0057 by Jason, on Flickr

ATS_Sample_with_new_AccuScope_EXC-350_part2-0058 by Jason, on Flickr
 
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