amour 25 Posted December 9, 2014 Share Posted December 9, 2014 Was looking at the stereo ones, as the others way out of reach. So anybody have any hints, or places to get a decent one reasonable. Thanks Jeff Jeff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snolly50 Posted December 9, 2014 Share Posted December 9, 2014 (edited) Microscope Question - General Fossil Discussion - The Fossil Forum Here are Forum posts that may help. If you are thinking of prep or sorting micros, you want a stereo "zoomscope" type of device. The vintage B&L are widely available and I think, work great. Good luck. Edited December 9, 2014 by snolly50 Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, also are remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. - Douglas Adams, Last Chance to See Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpc Posted December 9, 2014 Share Posted December 9, 2014 I personally am a fan of vintage American Optical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rejd Posted December 9, 2014 Share Posted December 9, 2014 I use one a lot when prepping. It can make the detailed work much easier. You defenitly want a stereo zoom with a wide field for doing prep work or sorting microfossils. As stated, the older B&L are really good. something like is would be great and the price is good as well. http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Bausch-Lomb-Stereo-Zoom-4-Microscope-w-Boom-Stand-Range-07X-30X-/271701465167?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f42ab584f A fossil hunter needs sharp eyes and a keen search image, a mental template that subconsciously evaluates everything he sees in his search for telltale clues. -Richard E. Leakey http://prehistoricalberta.lefora.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZiggieCie Posted December 10, 2014 Share Posted December 10, 2014 A binoc micro is amazing compared to any viser or magnifying glass you may have tried. I picked up this one new from the manufacturer for $200. http://www.amscope.com/20x-40x-stereo-binocular-microscope-boom-arm-light.html It has 10 and 20x eye pieces and a 2x adapter so you get from 10x to 40x magn. It also has a 6 to 9 inch focal length so you have room to work under it, $200 brand new, in time for Christmass Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoreBack Posted December 10, 2014 Share Posted December 10, 2014 I second the vote for Amscope. I have both a dissecting and a compound microscope from them and I have no complaints. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpc Posted December 10, 2014 Share Posted December 10, 2014 i don't know much about the Amscope... the one thing tht i would not buy however is a scope that does not have continuous zoom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rejd Posted December 10, 2014 Share Posted December 10, 2014 i don't know much about the Amscope... the one thing tht i would not buy however is a scope that does not have continuous zoom. I can't agree more. I have used both and often find zooming just a little is needed. When i have used the non-zoom you don't get that flexibility. I would spend the same on a used scope rather than buying new to get the zoom option. Just my opinion. A fossil hunter needs sharp eyes and a keen search image, a mental template that subconsciously evaluates everything he sees in his search for telltale clues. -Richard E. Leakey http://prehistoricalberta.lefora.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amour 25 Posted December 10, 2014 Author Share Posted December 10, 2014 Thanks all. Some good ideas there, one wants almost as much shipping, as the scope. Jeff Jeff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ptychodus04 Posted December 10, 2014 Share Posted December 10, 2014 I got an ancient bino microscope off Ebay years ago that I use for prep and sorting small (<1mm) specimens. Regards, Kris Global Paleo Services, LLC https://globalpaleoservices.com http://instagram.com/globalpaleoservices http://instagram.com/kris.howe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amour 25 Posted December 20, 2014 Author Share Posted December 20, 2014 A binoc micro is amazing compared to any viser or magnifying glass you may have tried. I picked up this one new from the manufacturer for $200. http://www.amscope.com/20x-40x-stereo-binocular-microscope-boom-arm-light.html It has 10 and 20x eye pieces and a 2x adapter so you get from 10x to 40x magn. It also has a 6 to 9 inch focal length so you have room to work under it, $200 brand new, in time for Christmass Well got that one, but no manual and a piece totaly different then what is showed on the site, not to pleased so far , sent a mail and will see if Customer service is any good. Bummer . Jeff Jeff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullsnake Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 Well got that one, but no manual and a piece totaly different then what is showed on the site, not to pleased so far , sent a mail and will see if Customer service is any good. Bummer . Jeff Sorry to hear that. I got a different model from them, and I'm pretty pleased with it. I hope you can get it resolved with them. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgcox Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 I use an Amscope 20x to 40x for sorting microfossils but for prepping I use a lighted 10x desk mounted magnifier. Notice it in the attached photo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolmt Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 Nice set up Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctor Mud Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 Was looking at the stereo ones, as the others way out of reach. So anybody have any hints, or places to get a decent one reasonable. Thanks Jeff Hi Jeff, What do you want to use it for? Prepping, microfossils or both? The right magnifying option depends on the type of fossil(s) you will be working with. I have used a Leica stereoscopic scope for prepping smaller items (like a smaller crab), but opt for a magnifying visor for prepping larger items (like a larger crab in a concretion). The visor I used cost me $50 Australian dollars and has been great so far. It has several lenses that flip over to increase the magnification. One thing to think about with a scope is the amount of room you have to work on the stage especially if you are working with scribes. Then you might want some type of stereoscope on an arm with adjustable height. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amour 25 Posted December 21, 2014 Author Share Posted December 21, 2014 Hi Jeff, What do you want to use it for? Prepping, microfossils or both? The right magnifying option depends on the type of fossil(s) you will be working with. I have used a Leica stereoscopic scope for prepping smaller items (like a smaller crab), but opt for a magnifying visor for prepping larger items (like a larger crab in a concretion). The visor I used cost me $50 Australian dollars and has been great so far. It has several lenses that flip over to increase the magnification. One thing to think about with a scope is the amount of room you have to work on the stage especially if you are working with scribes. Then you might want some type of stereoscope on an arm with adjustable height. I have the boom one, a Mag light, and mag hood, as I also model, never thought of using my mag light though . Might do that, and one very old Tasco say plus 50 year old microscope that was my sisters , and then mine. Plus I have an entire room to use, and 3 tables one 6 foot , the other ,4 and one about 4 feet. Thanks for the reply , will give that a try soon. Jeff Jeff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctor Mud Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 I have the boom one, a Mag light, and mag hood, as I also model, never thought of using my mag light though . Might do that, and one very old Tasco say plus 50 year old microscope that was my sisters , and then mine. Plus I have an entire room to use, and 3 tables one 6 foot , the other ,4 and one about 4 feet. Thanks for the reply , will give that a try soon. Jeff I'm jealous! I'm looking forward to having that much space to work in. What sort of fossils do you work with? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctor Mud Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 I use an Amscope 20x to 40x for sorting microfossils but for prepping I use a lighted 10x desk mounted magnifier. Notice it in the attached photo. A fossil preppers playground! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amour 25 Posted December 23, 2014 Author Share Posted December 23, 2014 I'm jealous! I'm looking forward to having that much space to work in. What sort of fossils do you work with? Well not much in fossil prep, as most that I find are River finds. Mammoth , Mastodon, Bison, along those lines , this stuff is new to me. I do have some stuff, I bought when I went to SD, back 14 almost 15 years ago, and I am making a cabinet to put them in. About all. Jeff Jeff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jualhadun87 Posted December 23, 2014 Share Posted December 23, 2014 Is that wooden desk from Harbor Freight? I am looking for a decent looking desk to replace my wall mounted counter top (the wife does not approve of it, not classy enough looking I guess =-p). The one in your picture looks like one I had my eye on at Harbor Freight, how do you like it? Both of my scopes are Amscopes, I have a stereo and bio and love them both, especially for the price. I have found pricing on their website to be quite high, but you can usually get ones new via re-sellers or from Amscope stores on Amazon and Ebay for a lot cheaper on sale. There is a huge variety of models available which can be confusing and the model numbers seem to sometimes vary from source to source, but in the end I have found them to be functional, practical, inexpensive and well built. Now if only the cameras were not so darn expensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amour 25 Posted December 24, 2014 Author Share Posted December 24, 2014 Is that wooden desk from Harbor Freight? I am looking for a decent looking desk to replace my wall mounted counter top (the wife does not approve of it, not classy enough looking I guess =-p). The one in your picture looks like one I had my eye on at Harbor Freight, how do you like it? Both of my scopes are Amscopes, I have a stereo and bio and love them both, especially for the price. I have found pricing on their website to be quite high, but you can usually get ones new via re-sellers or from Amscope stores on Amazon and Ebay for a lot cheaper on sale. There is a huge variety of models available which can be confusing and the model numbers seem to sometimes vary from source to source, but in the end I have found them to be functional, practical, inexpensive and well built. Now if only the cameras were not so darn expensive. Nope that is somebody else. Mine is Walmart on actually two a 6 and 4 footer. I guess I jumped the gun on them. Jeff Jeff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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