For 42 years, I used hand lens with 10 or 20x magnification when I was in the field and had access to microscopes in the lab.  As retirement approached, I found the need to purchase scopes if I was going to continue my taxonomy and science explorations.  

My money vs grant money suddenly pushed budget to the deciding factor.  After reading many review I chose AmScope because they were not expensive nor too cheap.  They had been making scopes for a while and backed the scope with a 5 year warranty.   I looked through all the labs at work and never found an AmScope so this once in a lifetime purchase was a leap of faith or stupidity.  In this case the scopes have exceeded my expectations.    

AMscope T490B-10MT 40X-2000X Trinocular Compound Microscope

The scope is about the same quality I saw coming from the mid-range priced scopes of 25 years ago.   The T490B is not for the perfectionist but for individuals who need a working scope on a budget  under $350.  The scope easily shows cell walls of moss leaves and the costa (leaf rib) at all magnifications.  I have examined water samples under oil immersion 1000x in search of bacteria and they were identifiable.  The scope has also been used to examine algae and diatoms.   The optics are equal to many scopes used in College Biology classes.     

Thoughts and Hacks

1. Microscopes are all about specimen prep before putting it under the scope.  Basic Histology 101 First.

2. A WF10X Microscope Eyepiece with Reticle (23mm) is a ruler in the eyepiece ($40).  This allows measurement of a feature on the specimen.

3. A microscope calibration micrometer is a slide that helps calibrate the dimensions of the camera pixels. 

4. Invest in a Hand & Table Microtome to help prepare thin cross section slices for slides ($75-130).  Table clamp helps stabilize the microtome when making slices.  

5. A carrot or elderberry stem pith makes a great specimen holder for making slide sections.  I have also used a softwood like balsa.  Modern histologist use 3 d printers to make holders.  The plastic in 3D printers is easy to slice.  

6. A new razor blade is a good microtome knife. Some labs use single edge and other break a double edge blade in half.    You can also buy disposable microtome blades (cost 2x razor blade).

AmScope 3.5X-45X Trinocular Zoom Stereo Microscope w Boom Stand + 80 LED Light

I found the addition of a stereo scope enhances the view of detailed characteristics of the collected samples.  I use an AMscope 7x-45x trinocular scope on a single arm boom stand ($500).  The light source is an 80 LED compact ring with built in dimmer.  The optics are good and produce a clear view of the specimen.  I am impressed with the weight of the base and balance of the arm.  I have set the horizontal arm at a fixed distance.  It is simple pivot the scope over your work area using vertical arms for adjustments. The scope needs to be refocused when changing magnification but that is true with most research grade scopes.  

I have found the quality of the scope to be better than most used for my college classes. The scope works for my lichen and moss identification needs and the price was right.

Thoughts and Hacks

1. Screw the base to the bench to prevent base tipping when scope is fully extended on the arm.  

2. Added a Super Widefield 10X Microscope Eyepiece with Reticle (30mm) for $45.99 to the right lens tube.  The Reticle is a ruler in the eyepiece and allows easy measurement of features.

MP 1000 - 10 mp Camera

I added a MP1000 10 mp camera to take pictures for $280 in 2016 (current price for MU1000 camera is $245).  The 10MP digital camera for microscopes captures still images and stream or record live video.  It works on most platforms.  The Windows version has image stitching, EDF (Extended Depth of Focus), video-recording, and measurement functions.  Images may be annotated with notes, shapes, watermarks, and precise measurements during the capture process.  Both preview and capture resolutions can be set independently.  This allows variable resolutions to match application needs.  The highest and moderate resolution is the most useful.  Highest resolution will capture images at a rate of 3/second and moderate resolution is 10/second.  

The camera mount works on both my scopes.  The camera has a 50% reducing lens so what you see in the eyepiece is close to what you see on the computer screen.  

Selected Camera Specifications:

• Sensor Size: 1/2.3" (6.44mm(H) x 4.616mm(V))

• Resolution: 3584 x 2748 (approx. 10,000,000 pixels)

• Reduction Lens: 0.5X

• Pixel Size: 1.67µm x 1.67µm so 200 pixels (scale label) = 0.03 cm

• Frame Rate: 27fps @872x654, 8fps @1744x1308, 1.9fps @3584x2748

• Exposure: 0.4~2000ms, ROI Auto & Manual  (currently set to Auto)

Steps to load camera software on Window 11 platform.

1.  Tritan driver

2. Load software

3. 
   

 I really expected clear pictures from the compound scope given the camera was 10 mp but was disappointed with the initial tests.  Poor image depth of field just did not produce publishable results.  I was finding it was related to bad specimen prep and needed to improve processing.  The camera went unused for 3 years. 

In 2020, a Guzila Mini PC with 8GB Ram and 120 GB SSD was purchased for microscopy work and other projects in my lab/basement.  I had been using a laptop but it was not dedicated to image capture.   This is a fresh look at the camera with a dedicated computer.

The latest versions of software and driver were downloaded from the AMscope website.  They have too many versions and poorly instructions on drivers.  After killing 2 hours trying to get driver and software to communicate with the M1000 camera, a copy of the  download used for the laptop install was moved to the new computer.  It was then successfully installed by running the files as an administrator.  Camera was found by the computer and it captured images.  

First tests are on the stereoscope since I use it more than the compound scope.  It is easy to install on the scope.  A plastic sandwich bag was added over the camera and secured with a rubber band to keep the dust off the camera.  Probably not necessary but done.  I used a 10 ft USB to camera cord to connect to the mini-PC.  Both USB-2 and USB-3 ports work and either port produce the same quality download to the computer.  

Still not perfect but a start.  Working on brightness, focus and depth of field.  Also want to image at 40X so image is what you see in the scope.  

Light source is too bright for the eyes when on high.  Lowering by half allows optical viewing.  Does it change image quality?  

Next step is plant sample.