Show your Microscope - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Mr Smiley
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2013, 05:44:56 pm
content: Hi All,I'm looking to buy a stereo microscope. I'd love a zoom like Dave's but over here in the UK secondhand they go for silly money.I'm not sure what I’d really need for smt and pcb work.There are plenty of stereo fixed mag scopes, but what do you lot use and love or hate.So could you show your microscopes so myself and others can find what's good, bad and wonderful from fixed to zoom from min to max mag used, from min max working distances and ones moved to your own mountsMany thanksMr Smiley

author: kripton2035
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2013, 05:59:01 pm
content: there is already a thread for this :https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/mid-priced-microscope-for-smd-soldering/

author: Mr Smiley
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2013, 06:24:08 pm
content: I did search, but apparently missed that one

author: Mr Smiley
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2013, 06:31:37 pm
content: Hi,that thread just discusses a specific and slight deviation from OP request.I'm after a what people here actually use, what they look like and why, good and bad, what to choose, what not to choose and why. Do you have extra lenses, did you modify what you first bought why and how.More along the lines of show your PSU and such.Mr Smiley

author: robrenz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2013, 12:29:43 am
content: Did you read that thread and the links that were in it? They contain a lot of the information you say you want. Nobody is going to compile and condense the info for you.

author: Circuitous
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 02, 2013, 12:59:50 am
content: Several of the forum members (including me) like our Amscope microscopes. There's some discussion here:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/looking-at-a-microscope-is-an-olympus-szh-worth-it/msg140287/#msg140287I have a trinocular head with camera, LED ringlight, and 0.5 Barlow lens, mounted on an articulating arm.It's hard to beat the price of an Amscope for decent quality.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2013, 02:16:40 am
content: I'm wondering if there are products which are in between a magnifier lamp and a stereo microscope. In other words: a cheap Mantis. I doubt a stereo microscope is comfortable to work with but a Mantis is way too expensive.

author: TerraHertz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 08, 2013, 01:31:33 pm
content: Just for a laugh, this is what I use currently for PCB inspection. The binocular thing is scavenged from some kind of optician's laser eye inspection apparatus I was given. Minus laser, sadly. The green glassware stand I made, and the clamp is standard lab type.But I'm getting real sick of having no up-down movement, or convenient illumination, or camera, or...Probably going to be investing in a real one fairly soon.Considering this Amscope one:http://www.ebay.com/itm/190804936156?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l26495MP Camera Circuit Board Inspection Microscope 10X-20X Model No: SE401Z-5M US $379.98I didn't know this had been discussed here. Time to read some more.I have other microscopes... but they are not good for looking at large things.

author: TerraHertz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 09, 2013, 10:18:20 am
content: Well since no one else is doing what the thread title says, here's some more microscopes.First is my childhood microscope. Had a lot of fun with this.Next is my battered old Olympus binocular, which is what I actually use these days when needed. It's missing the condenser stage, and one of the XY stage knobs is broken off. This one was cobbled together from a box of bits I got from Oatley Electronics many years ago.Third are two more - a really nice Zeiss system, that seems to be an early version of their 'Universal' microscope. Also a fairly good monocular microscope, that is complete, but I just never use.The Zeiss monster sadly is missing lamp parts. I've got one lamp shell, and both the tungsten bulbs and some new high pressure mercury arc lamps, but no actual lamps.It's a beautiful microscope, a pity refurbishing it just never makes it up to the top of the chores list.Getting a video camera to fit the camera extension would be cool too.

author: robrenz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 09, 2013, 02:11:58 pm
content: Ok, here it is fromthis thread

author: img
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2013, 07:59:20 pm
content: Have you seen these?http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Stereo-Microscope-Vickers-Boom-stand-/160987467602?pt=UK_Collectables_RocksFossils_Minerals_EH&hash=item257b99cf52http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Scienscope-stereo-zoom-microscope-with-boom-stand-light-ideal-for-pcb-repair-/350729111401?pt=UK_BOI_Medical_Lab_Equipment_Lab_Equipment_ET&hash=item51a9158769Either would do the job.

author: Circuitous
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 10, 2013, 09:49:09 pm
content: Here's my AmScope, mounted on an their optional articulating arm. The arm makes it easy to position the scope, change viewing angles, and folds out of the way.And, folded out of the way:

author: amiq
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2013, 07:24:27 pm
content: Quote from: Circuitous on March 10, 2013, 09:49:09 pmAre you happy with these arms? I was thinking of buying one (simply for the ease in moving the head out of the way when not in use) but am a bit concernced about how stable they are.Is there any movement in the arm once it's locked in place?

author: Circuitous
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 12, 2013, 01:12:14 am
content: I've been very happy with the arms, they are quite stable. But, I don't press my face against the eye pieces. Also each of the pivots has a locking knob if you want to hold it more firmly in position... I don't use them for the scope.Here's another handy thing, the holes at the end of the arm (where the microscope clamp attaches) are the same diameter as Pana-Vise clamps and Manfroto (camera and lighting) mounts. So, I bought a second articulating arm that I use to hold various extra tools as needed. You can just see the second arm mounted behind and above the one for the microscope.Note that with the arms, you will want a very sturdy, stable mounting surface. Any jiggle at the mounting point will be amplified at the end of the arm.

author: amiq
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2013, 09:41:14 am
content: Thanks, I think I'll go and order one.