Microscope Questions

AmScope

I've been using an AmScope for maybe about 15 years now. For the beginner or more casual user, it's definitely a good, affordable option. I don't know the model number I have off-hand, but it has done fairly well for me over the years.

The negative to AmScope is the lackluster quality. The optics aren't great and get iffy at higher magnifications. Also their stands seem to be cheaply made. My boom stand fell apart tonight and the whole microscope head crashed down on my work.

So it's a decent affordable scope, just don't expect a lifetime of use or amazing optics. I'm going to invest in a higher end scope (maybe Leica) with a good digital camera.

… Brad Barnd, 23 February, 2025 - 11:30pm

AmScope

I have the AmScope 7X-45X Trinocular Simul-Focal Zoom Stereo with MU2003-BI-CK camera.
It's connected to a 24" M1 iMac.

It's fine for viewing/dissecting, etc. Photography is a bit iffy if there's any movement (including shaking the microscope on the desk).

The AmScope software is fairly primitive. I use it only for capture and do any manipulation in Affinity Photo 2 and HeliconFocus. Moving the specimen is also sometimes tricky, as you need to keep the directions straight, and there's a significant delay on the computer monitor.

Lighting is very important.

… Stephen Hart, 14 January, 2025 - 1:25pm

I'll second AmScope and what Chad said

I've really liked mine and it works well for the ID work that I've been doing (Orthoptera, Coleoptera, spiders). Mine's only binocular, but I got a mount for my phone on the eyepiece.

… Tyler Hedlund, 10 January, 2025 - 4:09pm

Nice pics!

I've been looking at some iPhone adapters, and I'm tempted to try that considering how expensive some trinocular scopes are. It's good to know you can still get good shots with a phone. Do you focus stack your images?

… John Gruen, 10 January, 2025 - 5:33pm

No focus stacking

It's just a single image unless I'm doing something fancy. Though my older images were focus stacked on a significantly nicer camera system when I worked at a different job. I have access to a system like that, but I only really use it when I'm trying to publish something. Any pinned specimens from November 21st, 2021 (Dircaea liturata) until now are single image (except the Phaulotettix).

What I use for my phone is what astrophotography folks use to mount their phone to a telescope. Not fancy at all, but gets the job done.

… Tyler Hedlund, 13 January, 2025 - 8:18am

I've been

I've been happy with my Amscope stereomicroscope and ended up purchasing one of theirs simply due to their affordability. Make sure you get something that has at least 90x magnification at the high end. The scope that I purchased came with LED goosenecks (a good idea) but I wish they were brighter. There are other lighting options out there though.

… Chad Heins, 4 January, 2025 - 11:28am

Thanks!

Thanks, that’s good to know! I'm just curious—do you use a trinocular microscope for your photos? I’d love to get quality shots of some of the more obscure spider taxa here in MN, but I imagine it’s tricky to get consistent results just by holding a camera to the eyepiece.

… John Gruen, 5 January, 2025 - 5:49pm

Yes

Yes, I have a trinocular with a Canon digital SLR and microscope adapter that take images through the third eyepiece. I'd love to have a partner taking photographs of Minnesota's spiders. We should talk more; drop me an email if you get a chance.

… Chad Heins, 5 January, 2025 - 9:03pm

For sure! Finding your Inat p

For sure! Finding your Inat project for Minnesota Spiders was a huge inspiration for me to start doing this more seriously. Also, is having a scope with transmitted light important? I see many zoom microscopes with up to 90x magnification but lack bottom lighting.

… John Gruen, 10 January, 2025 - 5:25pm

No need

With gooseneck lighting, you can light objects from many angles. I really do not use any transmitted light working with spiders.

Just let me know when you want to talk shop. I have a few spiders in my backlog but hope to have those cleared by April when spiders are much more readily found again.

… Chad Heins, 14 January, 2025 - 7:25am

Chad's

seems like good advice.

… Eric Shultz, 4 January, 2025 - 8:15am