Photography, Digital: Microscope

[Groggy]

After reading a sharpening thread started by rsser I am toying with the idea of getting a digital microscope for looking at edges and doing close up work. There are a few of these (http://cgi.ebay.com/200X-USB-Handheld-Digital-Microscope-Video-Camera-DC-PC_W0QQitemZ280247785828QQihZ018QQcategoryZ48741QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) on eBay. Other types are like this:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/largeimages/529825.jpg

Thing is, how good are they? Is 1.3mp enough and can they get a really good shot of an edge? Are there better alternatives that are reasonably priced?

If anyone has played with these I'd be interested in your experience.

[tea lady]

:doh: Is just camera lust Groggy.:rolleyes: How you gonna convince the Missus you need that?

[Groggy]

:doh: Is just camera lust Groggy.:rolleyes: How you gonna convince the Missus you need that?I'll tell her its a USB hair dryer :D

[tea lady]

So how hairy is your USB?:rolleyes: Seriously what will you use it for?


Oh to hell with it. Its a gadget for the collection.:cool:

[Groggy]

So how hairy is your USB?:rolleyes: Well....:scareboo:


Seriously what will you use it for? Looking at edges on tools and getting close ups of small stuff. For some reason I seem to do a bit of that.



Oh to hell with it. Its a gadget for the collection.:cool:Got me. :B I started justifying it but - you're right :shrug:

[kevjed]

I think that this is the one most people use in the education sector Groggy.
http://store.digiblue.com/
certianly better to buy from the source than the Aus distributor at more than double the price.
It will do the job but it is not a $5K Zeiss with a Canon 1DsIII and its 21+megapixel output....Ah!!!!I just dream on.
All the best
Kevin

[tea lady]

looking at edges on tools and getting close ups of small stuff. For some reason i seem to do a bit of that.you're not talking about that knock out bar of yours again are you?

:d

[joe greiner]

:d

Ouch!:doh:
(Inside joke, visitors. Don't bother.)

Joe

[Groggy]

you're not talking about that knock out bar of yours again are you?

Not that again! :elefant:

[bsrlee]

Jaycar sell a couple of mobile phone sized portable electric microscopes - both have a built in LCD screen, one has a USB connection. Haven't seen them in action, no idea of the image quality. Part CAT. NO. QC3245 or CAT. NO. QC3246 with USB - a bit pricy at $250, but Jaycar also sell the $99 non-portable ones too CAT. NO. QC3244

[NCArcher]

This one looks ok. 130x magnification only $99. View on the computer screen.
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=QC3244&CATID=&keywords=Microscope&SPECIAL=&form=KEYWORD&ProdCodeOnly=&Keyword1=&Keyword2=&pageNumber=&priceMin=&priceMax=&SUBCATID=
The two with the built in screen are $250 and $300.

YOU NEED THIS GROGGY

[Groggy]

YOU NEED THIS GROGGYDefinitely a wannit anyway...ta for the link :)

[chrisb691]

How about making your own? Find instructions here (http://www.instructables.com/id/30-minute-USB-microscope/). In fact there are several sets to look at, and at least a couple look viable.