New Microfossil microscope!

[Arizona Chris]

HI all,

 

Finally, after 20 years of using a cheap stereo microscope with cheap optics and base, we decided to get a new one with all the bells and whistles.  Our back log of Fort Apache microfossils which we are studying at present was the catalyst for this.  We got an awesome scope from AmScope, a trinocular unit with 3.5x - 90x range and a 10 Mpix built in camera.  Its like going from watching a small TV to going to the IMAX theatre!  What an awesome scope for $909.  Here are my very first attempts at some images taken today, of some of the Fort Apache material.  I set the camera for 5Mpix and resized the images here to 1290 x 960 which is like 1 mpixel to keep them within size limits, but  you get the idea.  

 

The Trinocular feature puts light to the camera when you push or pull in a lever and sends the left eye to the camera instead.  The camera and eyepiece can be set independently so you can get it pretty close by just focusing normally.  

 

Here are a few sample images.  I have a lot to learn on microscope imaging, but the software that came with the camera is amazing.  Two image scales here, one at 3.5x and another at 20x zoom.  

 

Three gastropods and a pinhead.  3.5x with LED side lighting.

 

Now here at 20x is the same group but first with the LED side light:

 

Now for comparison, using the Halogen Ring light:

I dont like this very well, so Ill use the LED for fossils anyway.

 

Fenestellid Bryozoan, 3.5x

 

Bryozoan at 20x

 

Tenticulites at 3.5x

 

Now at 20x

 

And here is the setup as it sits right now.  The black lamp on its left is the LED high intensity light from Walmart.

 

I have yet to try focus stacking and many other things.  The camera was taken at 5mp and I can go much larger files but thats a bit of overkill.  More to come!

[ynot]

Nice set up!

You will have better results if You use a solid black or white background for Your pictures. (dependent on the color of the fossil.)

[snolly50]

That's a really nice rig! Great initial photo results. Very impressive. Don't count out the halogen ring light entirely. Ring light illumination is very desirable in many macro photo situations. Indeed the ring light shot is washed out to my eye. My fiber optic ring light is rheostat controlled so light intensity is adjustable. I assume yours is not, but there may be ways around that. I would check with the light's producer and see if snap on diffusers are offered. If not, you could cobble one together, keeping in mind halogen lights get hot. Have fun, it looks like you have a great tool.

[Arizona Chris]

Thanks Guys - yes my ring light is fully adjustable, but still the flat lighting may be good for some fossils but not others.  Thats part of being a photographer, choosing the right light source for your images.  Ynot - I have a variety of backgrounds made from construction paper, etc.  I just grabbed a piece of varnished wood here, lots of specular glints for sure.  

[Rumi]

Congratulations on a fine new resource!  You will get a LOT of use from this........