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Post by nikonbob on Sept 1, 2009 19:49:57 GMT -5
I never had one as a kid but could not resist what I found at my favourite store the other day. Hiding in it's box was an Olympus KHC binocular microscope with an irresistible price tag. It had a little white fungus on it's stage/platform or whatever it's called from years hiding in it's box in a damp dark place. I took it down to a few major components and cleaned it up today. The fungus never got as far as any of the lenses. I never knew they had so many tiny ball bearings but managed not to loose them. Got it back together and plugged it in. I'm having a great time placing things on it to see what they look like. Now I know what I missed as a kid. OK you got to have a little fun when you are retired and there are no cameras around. At least it has lenses.
Bob
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jack
Senior Member
Posts: 76
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Post by jack on Sept 1, 2009 21:17:27 GMT -5
Hello Bob
Now you need a Microscope adopter to mount your camera, so you can show us all these great things your seeing.
Jack
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PeterW
Lifetime Member
Member has Passed
Posts: 3,804
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Post by PeterW on Sept 2, 2009 6:18:47 GMT -5
Bob,
Don't apologise for liking a nice instrument like that. Microscopes are great fun as well as being educational. I had a more or less toy microscope when I was a kid and later got an old but very nice Dallmeyer monocular microscope. Sadly it fell off the table one day and never focused properly after that. Often thought I'd like to get a binocular one but haven't seen one at my sort of price.
Jack, how do you fit a camera to a binocular microscope? Do you just use one eyepiece?
PeterW
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Post by nikonbob on Sept 2, 2009 7:35:15 GMT -5
Jack
Interesting idea but I don't think anyone would be interested in what I have put under the microscope.
PeterW
It is a nice instrument. That is what caught my eye also. It is not everyday you can enjoy a lab grade instrument for about 14 pounds. It fit my retirement budget and did not rankle the boss any. I respect finely made things and just can't stand to see them tossed out.
Bob
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jack
Senior Member
Posts: 76
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Post by jack on Sept 2, 2009 9:03:12 GMT -5
Yes Peter, you use only one eye piece adopter.
Jack
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Post by nikonbob on Sept 2, 2009 13:48:55 GMT -5
Jack
I gave your idea some thought but gagged at they are asking for camera to microscope adapters. Maybe I can mickey mouse one together at some point.
Bob
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Post by camerastoomany on Sept 3, 2009 23:17:54 GMT -5
A couple of years ago, I bought a Minolta adapter II for SR series cameras which is in its original box and appears unused. $20 seemed a reasonable price and I have a couple of working SR1s and an SR3. The cost of microscopes prevented me from taking it any further, however.
While I am poorer today than I was a couple of years ago, the idea of using it still appeals. The leaflet supplied with the adapter makes no mention of suitable microscopes.
Does anyone know if these have a universal fitting? I know nothing about microscopes.
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Post by drako on Sept 8, 2009 14:57:54 GMT -5
This Oly is the real deal!
I personally don't believe in giving kids toy-quality junk while trying to make them believe they have the real thing. I remember so well as a kid that I had a toy microscope and hated the thing! If I instead had a "real" quality instrument, who knows who far I would have taken it?
Likewise, when I started in band I was provided with a "student model" clarinet. What a hunk of junk! I wouldn't "play" that thing now if you paid me! Only by chance did I sitck it out long enough until I had a "real" clarinet to play. What a gigantic difference! Just like the microscope, it was as if someone said "You know, son, you seem very interested in music thing. Sure, you should be given every opporunity to develop this interest of yours but, instead, we are going to tie at least one arm behind your back and give you this totally silly device -- a mere shadow of an *actual* clarinet -- and see if your interest can survive long enough to 'graduate' to the real thing. Good luck."
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PeterW
Lifetime Member
Member has Passed
Posts: 3,804
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Post by PeterW on Sept 8, 2009 20:31:29 GMT -5
I agree with everything you said about cheap 'toy' equipment, Johnny.
When I wanted to learn to play guitar I wasn't a kid, but a kind relative gave me a cheap Korean-made steel strung acoustic 'suitable for beginners' that was just about unplayable. The strings were about a quarter of an inch above the fingerboard at the twelfth fret, and the neck was so weak you could get a 'tremolo' effect by pulling back on it!
I played about lowering the bridge and so on, but it didn't make things much better. It's a wonder I didn't give up entirely. I persevered though a couple of slightly better guitars but it wasn't till I got a Stratocaster that I realsed how much easier it is to play a good quality instrument.
Sadly, arthritis in my left hand fingers has curtailed my playing somewhat but I still like to play it - or try to, even though I get so frustrated at times.
PeterW
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Post by alexkerhead on Sept 10, 2009 0:13:20 GMT -5
I have a couple, but they aren't readily available(like Peter Said). The vintage Graf Apsco stereo MScope in my case was from a biology lab in Mobile, I paid around $200 for it, the most I ever spent on a collectible like that. I rebuilt it, cleaning every optic and tube. It works flawlessly, and weighs about 13lbs, the mirror flip has a flat side, and a concave side. The small one is a student model from the 1930s.  |
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Post by drako on Sept 10, 2009 0:37:29 GMT -5
I'm sorry to read about your frustration, Peter.
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