Hi George and list, Does your video camera have a lens that can be removed? For microscope work you need a special lens that takes the place of the microscope eyepiece (video relay lens). This lens attaches to the body of the camera and fits into the eyepiece tube of the microscope. Edmund Scientific sells them for $230. In my case I have a trinocular microscope head, which is the type used in research when one wants to have visual and photographic capabilities. A monocular head can also be used if it has a vertical tube (these are much cheaper than a trinocular head). The camera attaches to the tube that is vertical in a trinocular head. This is the desired arrangement for a camera because it sits directly above the microscope. In my case the video camera is small enough that it does not need a stabilizing mount (i.e., it sits free on top of the microscope). A camera can be attached to a tube that is used for an eyepiece (the ones that are angled for easy viewing with your eyes) but then you will need a stabilizing mount for the camera. If your camera is quite heavy then you will want to have it attached to a stabilizing mount even if it is attached to a vertical tube. These stabilizing mounts usually come with a plywood base to which is attached a vertical pole. The pole has an arm that extends out to reach the camera. On the end of the arm there should be a threaded stud that will fit to the camera (which probably accepts a 1/4 inch stud, 20 threads to the inch I think). The microscope sits upon the base of the mount.
This type of mount may be fairly expensive if you buy from a scientific supply house (they are notorious for pricing high). A person who is handy in the shop should be able to make their own easily. Another alternative would be to use a photographic tripod but this could be a little clumsy. I hope this answers your question. Jeff La Favre -- The silver-list is a moderated forum for discussion of colloidal silver. To join or quit silver-list or silver-digest send an e-mail message to: [email protected] -or- [email protected] with the word subscribe or unsubscribe in the subject: line. To post, address your message to: [email protected] List maintainer: Mike Devour <[email protected]>
