Cheap microscope for prepping

[connorp]

I’m curious if anyone has any recommendations on cheaper microscopes that would be good for finer prep work. I have seen some very cheap ($30 or so) digital microscopes on amazon that seem to get good reviews. But I’m not sure digital is the way to go. I can’t afford more than around $100 right now.

[Herb]

you should be able to find a used disecting scope for around $100

[KCMOfossil]

I have a Celestron 5 MP Handheld Digital Microscope Pro that I've been using for a couple of years.  Overall, I'm satisfied with it, but it has some weaknesses.  It is not really a zoom scope - it has two focal possibilities, something like 20x or 200x.  The depth of field is quite narrow and the boom stand included with mine is a bit sloppy.  But, I think I paid around $70 for it, and it is easy to take pictures with the software provided.  The light works fine, but lighting is tricky to get right.  You can take a look at my the pictures of conodonts to see what I have been able to do with it.  Most of the conodont pictures were taken at the higher magnification.  I recommend it, but with the reservations I have mentioned.

 

Russ