Incoming stuff, STEREO MICROSCOPE 10X-20X-30X-60X - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: ErikTheNorwegian
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 15, 2012, 11:01:21 pm
content: As

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 16, 2012, 12:32:18 am
content: Hopefully it's not too powerful. 8-10X is really the max you ever want for electronics.

author: Spawn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 16, 2012, 12:59:48 am
content: Check this seller too, they also claim to make custom microscopes, so you can mail and ask if they can make a 6x or 8x one. His microscopes are pretty cheap too.EDIT: Changed the link, they have even cheaper ones...

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 16, 2012, 01:01:13 am
content: Quote from: Psi on April 16, 2012, 12:32:18 amMy x7-x40 range Olympus SZ microscope is ideal, and I'm glad I've got the x40 capability, it's handy for a lot of stuff.I'm actually considering getting x20 eyepieces to give me twice the magnification. But x14 would be too high a minimum for normal use, so I'd have to swap eyepieces as required.But yeah, x8-x10 is the sweet spot for general electronics use.Dave.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 16, 2012, 01:04:04 am
content: Quote from: ErikTheNorwegian on April 15, 2012, 11:01:21 pmAMscope have good rep, so I'm sure it's a decent microscope.The 53mm working distance is the important part, you need the biggest working distance you can get, and 53mm is decent.Dave.

author: robrenz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 16, 2012, 01:33:14 am
content: The 0.5 barlow lens is the key to great working distance.This is from my very first post on EEVblog Simon thought it was spam.I have been looking for a reasonably priced boom mount sterero zoom microscope for a long time. Features that I wanted were a very long working distance (distance from the objective to your work). This is so I could solder or assemble/disassemble under magnification. And very wide fieild of view. Amscope model SM-3BZ provided all of these features.http://store.amscope.com/sm-3bz.html.One important thing I learned is that the .5 Barlow lens is what gives the 165mm 6.5" working distance! Your total magnification is your eyepiece mag. x your zoom mag.(.7 to 4.5) x your Barlow mag. So the lowest mag possible is 10 x .7 x .5 = 3.5 mag. At this setting you have 165mm working distance and 57mm field of view. if you now zoom to 4.5 you have 10 x 4.5 x .5 = 22.5 mag. At this setting you have 165mm working distance and 8.9mm field of view. So if you want to maintain that 165mm working distance at higher magnifications you need to get a set of 20x eypieces also. this will double the magnifications above without changing the working distance. Wtih the 20x eyepieces and the .5 barlow you have 165mm working distance and 28.6mm field of view at 7x mag and 4.4mm field of view at 45mag. You could get the same values with 10x eyepieces and no Barlow but your working distance drops to 100mm. If you put the 2x Barlow on your working distance drops to 30mm Ouch!I asked them to exchange the 2x Barlow for two 20x eyepieces and I would pay the $20.00 US difference. No problem and it came with the 2x Barlow anyway! That give me the ability to go to 180x. at 180x I can see the ripples in each individual pulse puddle of laser marking on a metal crystal can!Also got the 48 led light ring. Scope is worthless without lighting.If you mention that you saw the Microscopes on thier Ebay store you get free shipping! So my entire package cost $463.98 US delivered.The quality is outstanding both mechanicaly and opticaly. Ii is all metal construction and all glass optics. I still cant believe the qulaity at this price.Keep in mind this is the model I picked for my purposes and you can get much less expensive and much more expensive units from them. I do feel this is the ideal model for serious electronic work with the boom mount and the huge working distance and wide field view. You can get the same models with camera tubes but I take pictures right through the eye piece and i works great for the number of times I need to take a photo.I give it three thumbs up!

author: Rufus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 16, 2012, 01:42:58 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on April 16, 2012, 01:01:13 amI have a 7x to 45x Kyowa and a 0.5x auxiliary lens which hardly ever gets removed. 3.5x with twice the working distance and DOF is much more practical for doing work rather than inspection.

author: siliconmix
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 16, 2012, 07:23:43 am
content: Quote from: ErikTheNorwegian on April 15, 2012, 11:01:21 pmtheyre all at it , taxing the crap out of everything right wing left ,midway sloppy

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 16, 2012, 07:33:52 am
content: What is the difference between tax and demanding money with menaces? I use a jewelers loupe to look at small components not best for soldering the thing is it works fine for watches but a lot of the newer electronic stuff 10X is not powerful enough, I will have to get one of those microscopes soon and a micro-manipulator to go with it the stuff is getting so small.

author: mariush
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 16, 2012, 08:11:44 am
content: The scope in the first post is now discounted at 130$ ... us only.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 16, 2012, 12:16:29 pm
content: Quote from: Rufus on April 16, 2012, 01:42:58 amI suspect you are right. I've got a 0.5x barlow on order.Dave.

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 16, 2012, 02:13:04 pm
content: I bought a russion made stereo microscope through opticsplanet.com a couple of years ago. It uses a stepped lens, not a continuous zoom. The big advantage was that it has a boom stand. You clamp the boom on the side of the bench and then you can swing the microscope in and out.The microscope that the TS bought is hard to get a pcb under and work on it.Let me see if i can find the model i bought...Got it. Lomo sf-50http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=lomo+sf+50&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&client=safari&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=714137156639294818&sa=X&ei=kymMT9HBFovYiQLyr9zgCw&ved=0CC4Q8wIwBAThat one has the boom stand.I only use it as a backup now since i found a Mantis in a local junkstore. They didn't know what it was ... 50$ ... Woohoooo!

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 16, 2012, 02:15:42 pm
content: Quote from: mariush on April 16, 2012, 08:11:44 amThat is just stupidly cheap.I'd get one for kicks at that price, but it's $99 extra for postage to Oz.Dave.

author: carloscuev
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 26, 2012, 09:41:23 pm
content: Just bought one! I'm impatient to get it in my hands !! Any hi-res pictures or review yet Erick?Cheers !

author: DavidDLC
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 26, 2012, 10:16:14 pm
content: When I received my microscope, man I loved it as well and I do so far, I have it for several years now.When it arrived besides electronics use I started to look at insects and small objects, amazing !David.

author: carloscuev
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 27, 2012, 02:18:34 pm
content: It really is! That's why I spent that money I was planning for another things before sale ends! hope my soon to be wife doesn't get mad xD

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2012, 12:21:16 am
content: Please resize your images or use the supplied thumbnails, that's ridiculous.

author: carloscuev
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2012, 03:18:35 am
content: Nice to see the incandescent lamp is could be easily changed for a led type:http://www.ebay.com/itm/230777352103orhttp://www.ebay.com/itm/251044610596

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2012, 12:32:18 pm
content: I just use a cheap Celestron USB microscope, with 6 white LED's as illumination. Works well enough for me.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 28, 2012, 01:50:30 pm
content: Quote from: ErikTheNorwegian on April 28, 2012, 11:00:04 amI just got one of those (not AmScope, but looks identical, with 48mm thread mount and all).It works very well indeed, nice even adjustable light.Very pleased with it's performance.Dave.

author: tjw
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2012, 03:23:30 pm
content: Hi,thanks for the information and photo's of the microscope, it's very helpful. I have a few questions I am hoping you blokes can address.The 10x-20x-30x-60x has a stated working distance of 53mm. The same seller also has a 10X-30X SUPER WIDEFIELD STEREO MICROSCOPE with a stated working distance of 100mm using 'Super Widefield' objective lenses. This 10x-30x model can also be fitted with a Barlow 0.5 lens. There is no mention of a Barlow lens for the 10x-20x-30x-60x so I assume this is not an option.I want to use the microscope for working on watch movements and surface mount electronics and I am guessing the bigger the working distance the better.- what would the depth-of-field of the 10x-20x-30-60x and the 10x-30x be ?- how does depth-of-field change with magnification level ?- what is the difference between the standard and 'super widefield' objective lens models, besides working distance ?- what does a Barlow lens do ?- is 10x and 30x sufficient for electronics/watchmaking, given that working with tweezers under 10x requires steady hands. I imagine using tweezers under 30x would be a challenge ?Best regards, tjw.

author: king.oslo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2012, 04:13:53 pm
content: Quote from: ErikTheNorwegian on April 15, 2012, 11:01:21 pmWord. This is the leader of the thieves:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jens_StoltenbergI can recommend getting a trinocular. That way the user can connect a camcorder and display the images on a wall-mounted LCD whilst keeping the eyepieces for steroscopic view. Very convenient. Highly recommended.M

author: TerminalJack505
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2012, 04:40:06 pm
content: I've got an Amscope. I'm very happy with it. My only complaint is that the ring light isn't quite bright enough at the maximum magnification. It's not a big deal for the work I do, though.

author: bingo600
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2012, 09:42:37 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on April 16, 2012, 12:16:29 pmDave would you mind to give a review of the 0.5 barlow lens , does it fit etc ....I have a used Olympus with x20 Eyepieces , and it's to much magnificationMicroscope : SZ-40 - Think it's a SZ-4045Eyepieces. : GSWH 20X/12.5Ohh and : I'd like if Peter, from precision*world (AmScope) , would comment alsoI might need a 0.5 Barlow and some kind of "Light-Ring"/Bingo

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 29, 2012, 11:14:44 am
content: Quote from: bingo600 on April 29, 2012, 09:42:37 amI had in mind a video on chosing a stereo microscope for electronics work.The 0.5 barlow I got works a treat. Screws perfectly into the 48mm thread on my Olympus SZ, and has a matching thread on the bottom so my LED ring light screws on under that. It does indeed almost double the working distance as expected.I'm pretty sure the barlow I got and LED ring are identical to the Amscope branded ones, they just offered better postage to Oz.I can't seem to find any x20 eyepieces that seems suitable for my Olympus. Mine WFX10 ones are threaded, and all the ones on ebay seems to be non-threaded?Dave.

author: bingo600
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2012, 01:25:07 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on April 29, 2012, 11:14:44 amDave could you post the url's for the barlow & ringlight ?I have been looking at this ringlight , cool but maybe a tad out of budget.But i heard the Zones shuld be great to eliminate shaddowsEby Item : 400293077620/Bingo

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 30, 2012, 09:16:07 pm
content: Quote from: bingo600 on April 29, 2012, 01:25:07 pmhttp://www.ebay.com.au/itm/320595587219?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/320598066852?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/260752122982?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649I reckon Amscope get theirs from the same source, but have their name branded on it.I thought the zones would be useful too, but have not found a situation to use it yet. I've tried to simulate that by covering various parts of the ring, but haven;t found a use for it yet.But I haven't played with it that long.Dave.

author: carloscuev
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 10, 2012, 12:29:51 am
content: Hello, I've made some mods to my Amscope! First I switched the viewing position to the front, the way it was originally was rather uncomfortable, a prism readjust was necessary which can be done being extra clean and having patience to get the prism precisely re-aligned, because when misaligned you see different images on each eye.Also could not spend more money on a ring light, so I made one myself with some 5-chips 100mA SuperFlux Leds I got from ebay a while ago, it worked like a charm !Note that the "L" shaped aluminum mount is screwed to the scope using the same holes it already had to screw the cable-holder.I added a small rectifier and filter board to get DC from the transformer, and used a small led driver I got from ebay which uses UCS2915 chip, I just changed the current sense resistor to fit me current needs, I soldered only 8 leds out of 16 and it was enough, each led has 5 chips, so I got 40 leds ! and if I need I could grow it to the double !I'll post the kicad files and gerbers later I want to make some adjustments, if anoyone feels can't wait just send me a PM !

author: carloscuev
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 10, 2012, 12:33:18 am
content: And here some tests with my old Nikon P3 Point and shoot camera:First is a 2mm chip I desoldered from a cell phone just to test my hot air gun a while ago, in 30x and 60xThen a 0603 led from that same cell phone !Cheers !

author: carloscuev
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 10, 2012, 05:41:08 pm
content: hehe, well I couldn't wait and installed full 16 leds and adjusted the current to light them all ! Brightness is really good, thats 80 leds ! ( attached pictures show 5 chips in each led ! ) I'll upload the gerbers tomorrow so you can order yours from seeed or itead ! leds are from ebay as well as led driver !

author: MikeK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2012, 07:01:47 pm
content: FYI, the price is back down to $130US.

author: StubbornGreek
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2012, 11:19:02 pm
content: A stereo microscope was one of my latest purchases and I couldn't be happier (got an Amscope).I don't know if solder-pop would really 'hurt' the Barlow or not but hey I'm a bit on the paranoid side I guess. A regular (50mm in my case) u/v filter can be screwed into the bottom of the Barlow to provide a layer of protection (u/v filters are a couple bucks a best where the lenses...).

author: KD0CAC John
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2012, 10:28:24 pm
content: I have looking & reading about the AmScope SM-3BZ , wanted to double check , that I thought I read here that the Barlow lens did not fit this scope ?Also using for mostly SMD work .I see that they are at the low price again .

author: KD0CAC John
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2012, 02:39:32 pm
content: I just noticed that the latest scope on eBay is a SE303-PZ .And the 1st one that was talked about was the SM-3BZ .Trying to track down the differences ?Thanks John

author: KD0CAC John
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2012, 02:46:19 pm
content: Using the model numbers from eBay , SE303-PZ & SM-3BZ and then using those in the search box on there site , neither of these come up , they do have many that have other digits added to either of those models , in the attempt to identify details about either , no luck .

author: MikeK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 12, 2012, 04:52:26 pm
content: Is anyone using this for SMD soldering? Is it any good? It's back on sale and I'm considering getting one.Mike

author: arekm
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 07, 2013, 08:32:37 pm
content: SE305R-PZ has correct eyepiece position (in comparsion with described here SE303-PZ).Planning to buy such (or other cheap) microscope for soldering purposes. "Working Distance: 2-1/8" (53mm)" doesn't look great but should work I hope.So the same question as above. Is it usable for smd soldering in practice?