Cheap inspection microscope investigation and a how to. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: kc9qvl
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2013, 02:04:12 am
content: Bought one of those $50.00 USD stereo microscopes from amscope.http://www.amazon.com/AmScope-Cordless-Portable-Binocular-Microscope/dp/B00DUIST02/ref=sr_1_111?s=industrial&ie=UTF8&qid=1384658419&sr=1-111A couple of pictures as stockImage is Ok. Taken afocal with android phone. A working height of 70 mm is not going to work though. What to do? Add a lens to the bottom

author: kc9qvl
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2013, 02:17:34 am
content: Lens is 1/2 of an acromatic lens from a old 7x35 binoculars. Basically is a 35mm Plano concave lens with a focal length of about 150 mm.A quick test to see how it will work out. Hmm not bad Working height 140 mm. Magnification halved about 10x maybe. More to follow:

author: SLJ
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2013, 02:42:22 am
content: Looks pretty good for the price. Biggest thing I can see now is the head does not turn 180 degrees so you will be working around the stand.

author: kc9qvl
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2013, 03:06:52 am
content: Wait till its done.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 30, 2013, 05:43:20 am
content: What I need is a really good microscope with quality optics and high zoom. Maybe a few mm visible area would be good, with at least some working distance and depth of field. With my current macro lenses I can get down to 13mm visible area or so with ok quality but wiht outside distortion, and 8mm or so with a 2nd lens and really poor qualityI'll likely have a very neat video microscope system coming soon, but it's about the same 8mm or so visible area at full zoom.

author: kc9qvl
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2013, 05:49:55 am
content: Hi Dave, Looking forward to seeing the video system. Super high magnification and long working distance is not an easy thing to accomplish. Especially if you want to maintain brightness and contrast.. This thread is basically can I build a "good enough" quality scope for < $75.00 USD. I needs to be repeatable for other users. I was hesitant to use a salvage binocular lens. But price was right free. When I get to the lens cell build I will link an inexpensive suitable lens.Dave on a side note What is the problem with using the Mantiss or your Olympus? Do you mean something dedicated to video?Ok next step. Cut Scope body and focusing rack apart. Scrape off paint so epoxy will bond(use Plastic Weld Epoxy). Soften a 1/2 " or 15" pvc coupling in boiling water. Flatten one side. File fitting to match profile of plastic of microscope. Note we are extending the body a bit we are also move connection point of focusing rack to the opposite side of the scope body. Glue up, align and clamp. More to follow:

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 30, 2013, 05:51:49 am
content: It'd be interesting to try one of these:http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Industrial-Inspection-Zoom-Monocular-Microscope-/190807529024?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c6d03d640&_uhb=1A claimed field of view of 1.8mm X 2.4mm, although I don't know if that's into an attached camera? If so, assumign the optics are good, a HD camera would give excellent results for my use.

author: kc9qvl
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2013, 06:08:27 am
content: Looks interesting. Don't forget the adapter. I would definitely go video camera/dslr not usb web cam for that.For camera maybe something like this:http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/CCD-Microscope-VGA-Video-Camera-Digital-TV-LCD-PC-Monitor-/140927792341?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20cff374d5

author: kc9qvl
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 02, 2014, 02:59:07 am
content: Got some work done on the aux objective.1st is a picture of the plano concave lens.Next ones are the screw on adapter made from pvc fittings and the lens holder.If you don't wish to us a salvage lens these off the shelf lens will work part number PL1070 or L13976 from surplus shed would work.http://www.surplusshed.com/Also the more distance between from the aux objective and main objective, the lower the working height. Tried stacking lenses and not achieve a good focus.