Potential Gear

[PetrolPete]

After spending a couple hours trying to take pictures of conodonts through a microscope by positioning my phone over just the right spot, I started to think there must be a better way. So, I decided to visit my favorite online gadget store, but this time evaluating their potential for fossil hunting. This is what I came up with and and they seemed relatively cheap, but I wanted to see what some of the more experienced fossilers thought.

Here are a couple iphone mounted camera lenses that might make photos in the field a little easier, but they only work for certain models:

http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/ee1d/

http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/eba9/

This bag seemed like it might be handy for carrying tools for infield prep/stabilization, small bags, and other handy items you don't put in your pocket

http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/c616/

The microscope I had been taking pictures through:

http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/9c42/?srp=3

and one of the conodonts I took a picture of through it:

Although more for after you get home with your finds, you could probably use them in the field if you have your laptop, but a couple of what look like relatively cheap digital microscopes: (there is a good chance these are cheaper elsewhere)

http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/ed87/?srp=5

http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/ed6f/?srp=2

The site also has a number of in-the-field electronic charging options that might be useful. Such as:

http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/f2d7/?srp=13

Just wanted to see how useful you all thought these might be or if anyone knew of some similar potential fossil hunting tools to look into.

[Bullsnake]

Hi Petrolpete,

I'm not one to advise on purchases, but I can show you what I use (and give your thread a little bump, too).

This is my USB microscope:http://www.ebay.com/itm/2MP-8-LED-USB-Digital-Microscope-endoscope-2-0-Mega-Pixels-Magnifier-200X-Camera-/310363505500?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item48431b435c

It's far from top of the line, but it does alright, and is fun to play with.

Drawbacks are that at 2MP the resolution isn't great but is sufficient for my level of microscopy.

Also, with the thumbwheel focus knob, it's nearly impossible to focus without moving the scope; you have to be patient and overcompensate focusing to allow for the movement. But here is my rigged solution to that:

I bought a cheap monocular specimen scope and removed the body (still able to replace it for use as it is really a pretty good scope), and rigged the parts from one of those 'helping hands' tools onto the frame, so now I can use the focus wheel on it, but still be able to articulate the USB scope to almost any angle I need it. I rough focus the USB scope, and fine focus with the rail of the other. Make sense?

Also, I didn't know until I got it that it isn't compatible with Windows 7(64bit), so I'm not able to use some editing options, but it still does enough for my purposes.

One more drawback is lighting is tricky. I really have to play with lighting between a desk lamp and the two led settings on the scope.

A couple of cool features are, as mentioned above, the ability to articulate it into about any position I need. I can also rotate the picture so it moves the direction I'm moving the scope, instead of the opposite direction (hard to explain, but you may know what I mean).

Also, I can create a folder on my desktop, name it, and select it from the photos directory file of the microscope, so when I take a picture, it sends it straight to that folder, as well as in the microscope folder itself, eliminating having to copy it.

Despite the drawbacks, it's pretty handy, and fun to use.

My other investment is this:http://www.ebay.com/itm/20X-40X-80X-STEREO-MICROSCOPE-w-2-HALOGEN-LIGHTS-/350220051436?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item518abde3ec

I love it! The view is so much clearer than the USB.

The only thing about it, though, is that I like to scan for details, not only on the fossil, but the matrix as well. If it is a good sized rock, it is too tall for the microscope. That's where the USB scope comes in handy.

I also move the stage clips out of the way, and use a piece of thin cardboard or heavy paper to protect the stage while I move the specimen around.

The price on that sometimes jumps to full price, but 90% of the time it is at the sale price.

Now I'm considering the USB camera that attaches to it, but want to save up for one of the better ones.

Having said all that, I have to say I'm really impressed with what you guys can do with your phones, so maybe someone else can advise you better toward that direction, but I still need buttons to make a phone call.

If this isn't exactly what you have in mind, then hopefully somebody can give you the info you are really looking for!

Have fun, and I'm looking forward to meeting up again sometime.

EDIT: That site you linked is pretty cool!

Edited March 27, 2013 by Bullsnake

[Missourian]

Positioning the phone over the eyepiece can be painful, but it does get easier with practice. For the moment, I'm satisfied with the phone-microscope setup, but I would like to get some kind of mount to hold the phone in place.

[TheMoth]

If you take apart an old DVD player, you can take out the lens to use as a cheap and dirty macro lens.

http://www.diyphotography.net/super-macro-your-cellphone-camera-with-a-dvd-lens

[Ridgehiker]

I know next to zip about photography. However, I get decent photos of conodonts using my Iphone up to the microscope eye piece and then 'snap'. Then stumble with Adobe Photoshop. These are some of my slide mounted Carboniferous speciments I got dissolving limestone... biproduct specimens while freeing up small phoshatic shark teeth. Don't know exactly why but sometimes the photos show up amber colored against black slide backing...sometimes more transluscent. Basically I just snap, snap,snap and keep one or two.

Must try the DVD lens method mentioned above.

Edited August 5, 2013 by Ridgehiker

[TheMoth]

I've had pretty good luck using the DVD lens, they are just very easy to lose.

[pinkpantherbeekeeper]

Just tried the dvd method. Pretty good really. I had a non-working player on hand. I would think you could use about any disc player's lens. As you can see the I kept a part of the lens mounting.

Here is a pic with

And without at the same distance

Edit: I should note that my camera on my phone has poor white balancing and this is not the lens. Sometimes pulling the lens away from the camera lens produces a better image. Crop the photo afterwards and it looks good. (Should this be in photography category? ) Anyway, thanks for telling me about the disc lens idea!

Edited August 7, 2013 by pinkpantherbeekeeper