Need advise on these microscopes please

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S. Alden
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Need advise on these microscopes please

Post by S. Alden »

I am putting this out for general discussion. I am in the market for a microscope and my budget is limited. I have located two microscopes on ebay that I can afford and need advise if either or both of them will be good.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 38080&rd=1

The seller said the optics were from Japan.
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http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... RK:MEWA:IT

This one is missing the specimen plate, but I do not think that will be a big deal.
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Post by twebster »

Hi ya' Sue :D

The first 'scope you've linked is one of those Chinese/India 'scopes that I so strongly advise people to avoid buying. They look pretty but deiver nothing but headaches. The second 'scope, though better, looks like a Zeiss that has been scavenged for the best parts, cobbled together with other parts, and is being sold incomplete on eBay to recover some of the costs. This happens all of the time.

Here are a few used 'scopes from Nightingale Microscopes (http://www.microscopesfromnightingale.com/) that would be much more serviceable in the same price range:

http://www.microscopesfromnightingale.c ... an_3_avail

http://www.microscopesfromnightingale.c ... lan_7827dz

http://www.microscopesfromnightingale.c ... Microscope

http://www.microscopesfromnightingale.c ... chb_357066

Most all of these 'scopes have been reconditioned (and those that weren't reconditioned didn't need to be) and Nightingale Microscopes stands behind the 'scopes they sell. I have had many dealings with Nightingale Microscopes and they have all been pleasant and good deals. (Disclaimer: I am not now, nor have I ever been, in the employment of Nightingale Microscopes. I have only supported their endeavors by sending large amounts of money to them to buy their excellent products. :D )

Of course, this is just my humble opinion, Sue :D
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Post by S. Alden »

Whew!...thanks Tom. I would not have known all this and would have wasted my money AND, I hate to waste money. It takes me soooo long to make up my mind and I bug the heck out of everybody I think will not get mad at me for doing so. Thank you for all your help.
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Post by S. Alden »

Now I have to decide which one of those I want :lol: . I assume I can take images thru the eyepiece right?
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Post by twebster »

Yes, Sue, we can get you photographing through an eyepiece. Don't you have a Canon G3, yourself? That would be the camera to set up. I'm setting mine up now as I type this. :D

Of the list of 'scopes I provided, the following two 'scopes would be my top choices in order:

http://www.microscopesfromnightingale.c ... Microscope

http://www.microscopesfromnightingale.c ... chb_357066

Any of those 'scopes would be quite serviceable for you.

Best regards as always, Sue. :D
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Post by S. Alden »

Hey Tom, I must be learning since those are my first two picks as well.

I have the G5, but I think they are basically the same.
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Post by twebster »

Same camera, Sue. You just get a million more pixies...oops!...I mean...pixels. :D
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Post by nzmacro »

Something I've never seen here, what are the "American optical" microscopes like Tom ???

BTW Sue, I paid $550 here in 1975 for a second hand monocular microscope, thats around $350 US. My how things have changed. Pricing is certainly much better these days. :D

Danny.

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Post by S. Alden »

Yep, prices do seem to be better, but I still want it free :wink: . I hate shopping. I make such a production out of it, I make myself mad, let alone anyone around me at the time. It should be a simple process..find a microscope and buy the darn thing. But nooooo, I have to dissect the entire process. :x
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Post by S. Alden »

I know..I know...but I found this one too:

http://www.dscoptical.com/html/microscopes.htm

It is a:

Black Nikon
Model S-KE
with a 4, 10, 20, 40
and 100X plan,
with wood case
$550.00

Like I mentioned, no one will go shopping with me, and I avoid it if possible, because I make a big production out of it. My mind keeps saying "there is a better deal out there" and I just have to find it. I think if I buy something, I will find something better the next day. Usually what happens is someone else buys it and I lose out :cry:

I did manage to purchase a few books on how to use a microscope and microorganisms. Got them for a steal on amazon :D.
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Post by Ken Ramos »

:D Hi Sue. I like the Nikon for $550 but it does not show it having a photo port or tube to attach your camera to. You would have to shoot through the eyepiece or find a trinocular head for it. But, it is a nice microscope.

What about the LOMO you asked about? I cannot remember if it had a trinocular head or not but it would not be hard to get one with it. There are a lot of LOMO fans on here and there photographs look pretty good! 8)
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Post by S. Alden »

I looked at the LOMO and that one is still in the running. It is cost thing. The price quote for all the attachments were a bit much, but I could get the scope, shoot thru the eyepiece until I get more money together for the attachments.
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Post by twebster »

Hi ya' Sue :D

That Nikon 'scope looks pretty (prettier than mine :D ). As much as I love my Nikon 'scopes I still think the Leitz and the Olympus 'scopes from Nightingale are better 'scopes. There are 2 major issues with the Nikon 'scopes that make them hard to use, especially for a beginner. The Nikon 'scopes of that vintage don't have centerable sub-stage condensers and the illumination system is barely adequate to properly fill the field of view for low powers. To get a centerable sub-stage condenser for a Nikon of this vintage you have to find a used phase contrast condenser somewhere and these will run approximately $300 to $400. Also, I can barely use a 4x objective on my 'scope and my 2.5x objective is totally unuseable for normal microscopy.

Just some things to keep in mind from a Nikon user, Sue. Plus, even though it is refurbished, I think it is about $150.00 over-priced.

Best regards as always, :D
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Post by S. Alden »

Well, I knew it. I mess around and mess around and they sold the Nikon. Oh well, I was not going to buy it anyway, just asking questions.
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Post by psneeley »

A suggestion: Call nightingale and let them talk you through your needs. I don't think you can go wrong this way.

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