Info on fitting cameras to microscopes -------------------------------------- Sources ------- http://www.ebay.com/bhp/microscope-video-camera AliExpress: microscope digital video camera 23mm microscope digital video camera c-mount http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=microscope+camera http://www.microscope.com/microscope-cameras/ http://www.made-in-china.com/cs/hot-china-products/Microscope_Camera.html?gclid=COXp44W13MoCFZCUvQod1GUKLA My microscopes - camera & eyepiece tubes inner diameter ------------------------------------------------------- * Zeiss Universal Camera tube ID: 23mm Eyepieces ID: 23mm * Olympus BHM metalurgical Camera tube ID: 23mm Eyepiece tubes ID: 23mm (I need a lower power objective for this. The x5 doesn't have enough FOV for large chip die viewing.) * Olympus 'info-scope' stereo inspection scope Camera tube ID: 24.0mm (Why!?) Eyepiece tubes ID: 30mm * Olympus gray stereo Camera tube: none Eyepiece tubes ID: 23mm * Old black monocular microscope in wooden box Eyepiece tube: 23m * Black binocular inspection. Switchable between 10x & 16x. Eyepiece tubes ID: 23.5 * American Optical Forty (binocular) No camera tube, eyepieces not removable PC screens I use: currently typical: 1280 x 1024. (1.3 MP) Because of limited desk space, and also as I use free/salvaged screens. Switching to dual: 2048 x 1536 portrait (3.1 MP) + 1280 x 1024 landscape ( 1.3 MP) My Canon EOS 40D camera resolution is 3888 x 2592 pixels. (10 MP) Image sensor: APS-C 22.2 x 14.8 mm CMOS The EOS 40D has live-view, but getting optimal focus via the small rear screen is fiddly. Don't want to install the Canon USB video view util on my main PC. Plus the camera doesn't really like doing live view. Battery consumption, heat, auto-quits, annoying modes, camera moves when pressing shutter button, risk of dust when removing usual lens, etc. My 23mm tube to EOS adapter has drawbacks: * Black but shiny internal surfaces, resulting in annoying internal reflection issues. FIXED. * Lacks a reducing lens, so the camera sensor field of view is a little smaller than it should be. Could buy a better one: http://www.amscope.com/accessories/camera/canon-slr-dslr-camera-adapter-for-microscopes.html $89.75 Camera candidates Touptek Photonics "touptek Digital USB Microscope Camera" http://www.touptek.com/ (Co based in China) Camera product list: http://www.touptek.com/product/showproduct.php?lang=en&id=83 They sell on http://touptek.en.alibaba.com/ but possibly only in quantity. ----------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-2-0-3-1-MP-CMOS-Microscope-Digital-Color-Camera-Eyepiece-Video-System-/261724133865 USB 2.0, 3.1 MP CMOS Microscope Digital Color Camera Eyepiece Video System 261724133865 US $175.00 Fit any 23, 30 or 30.5 mm ocular tube or c-mount phototube microscopes 2048 x 1536 11.5 fps 1024 x 768 32 fps (x-resolution too low for 720p video) 640 x 510 45 fps http://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-2-0-5-1-MP-CMOS-Microscope-Digital-Color-Camera-Eyepiece-Video-System-/251780425559 USB 2.0, 5.1 MP CMOS Microscope Digital Color Camera Eyepiece Video System 251780425559 $199.00 Touptek 5MP USB CMOS Camera with upgraded design (LCMOS05100KPA) 161461027713 <== This one $197.95 Fit any 23, 30 or 30.5 mm ocular tube or c-mount phototube microscopes 2592 x 1944 6.8 fps 1280 x 960 18 fps (Frame rate too low for 720p video) 640 x 480 60 fps USB connector on side of camera. http://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-2-0-10-0-MP-CMOS-Microscope-Digital-Color-Camera-Eyepiece-Video-System-/261724140237 USB 2.0, 10.0 MP CMOS Microscope Digital Color Camera Eyepiece Video System 261724140237 $295.00 3584 x 2748 3.7 fps 1792 x 1374 13 fps 896 x 684 35 fps (resolution too low for 720p video) http://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-2-0-14-0-MP-CMOS-Microscope-Digital-Color-Camera-Eyepiece-Video-System-/261724148519 USB 2.0, 14.0 MP CMOS Microscope Digital Color Camera Eyepiece Video System 261724148519 $325.00 4096 x 3288 2.7 fps 2048 x 1644 10 fps 1024 x 822 35 fps (x-resolution too low for 720p video) USB 3 Touptek L3CMOS Series C-mount USB3.0 CMOS (***Probably getting this one***) ---------------------------------------------- http://www.touptek.com/product/showproduct.php?lang=en&id=70 L3CMOS05100KPA LP105100A 5.1 MP USB 3.0 2560 x 1922 14.2 fps 1280 x 960 38.3 fps OK for 720p video 640 x 480 101.2 fps Can't find online sources, but can buy direct fromm touptek. AmScope "amscope Digital USB Microscope Camera" http://www.amscope.com/ ------------------------------------------------ AmScope MU500-CK 5 MP USB Microscope Camera + Software + Calibration Kit 140927851642 $169.98 Model: MU500-CK Mounting: 23mm, 30mm, 30.5mm, and C-mount 2592 x 1944 5 fps 1280 x 960 18 fps 640 x 480 60 fps http://www.ebay.com/itm/AmScope-MU900-CK-9MP-USB2-0-Microscope-Digital-Camera-Calibration-Kit-/400429143038 AmScope MU900-CK 9 MP USB2.0 Microscope Digital Camera + Calibration Kit 400429143038 $194.75 400429143038 (incl cal slide) precision*world $189.27 400429143337 (no cal slide) precision*world Resolution: 3488 x 2616. Mounting sizes: 23mm, 30mm, 30.5mm, and C-mount. 3488 x 2616 1.9 fps (Really slow fps) 1744 x 1308 8 fps 872 x 654 27 fps USB lead plugs into top. Right angle plug on cable. Omax "OMAX Digital USB Microscope Camera" ------------------------------------------- http://www.ebay.com/itm/OMAX-9-Mega-Pixel-Digital-USB-Microscope-Camera-w-Software-and-Stage-Micrometer-/400710514290 OMAX 9 Mega Pixel Digital USB Microscope Camera w/ Software and Stage Micrometer 400710514290 US $189.90 9MP (3488x2616 pixels) Model: A3590U (is it same as the AmScope MU900-CK 9 MP?) 3488 x 2616 1.9 fps 1744 x 1308 8 fps 872 x 654 27 fps USB lead plugs into top. Right angle plug on cable. Chinese cheapies ---------------- 5.0MP HD Microscope USB Digital Camera Video Electronic Eyepiece with 0.5x Lens ebay 252060727847 $69.90 Looks like cheap crap. Also listing has many spelling mistakes, sillies. Sensor: 1/2.5" true color CMOS 2592 x 1944 15 fps 640 x 480 30 fps Seller: outdoor2015 5.0MP HD USB 2.0 Microscope Electronic Digital Eyepiece Camera ebay 151909027398 $63.73 <=== very tempting. Could then afford to also get more other stuff. Sensor: 5.0mp,1/2.5 inch 2048 x 1536 4 fps 1280 x 720 10 fps 640 x 480 30 fps Seller: honey543 Small cylindrical ones ---------------------- Just a few, there are many. http://www.amscope.com/accessories/camera.html?p=2 1.3 Mega Pixel Still Photo Live Video Microscope Imager USB 400429125080 <=== This US $55.48 precision*world Amscope MD130 http://www.amscope.com/accessories/camera/1-3-mega-pixel-usb-live-video-microscope-imager-digital-camera.html (Does not actually state the resolution or frame rate.) 1.3 Mega Pixel USB Live Video Microscope Digital Camera 220835126241 US $65.00 hunter20099 / Cnscope 1280x1024 Adaptors: 23.2 to 30.0, 23.2 to 30.5 (Looks like a rebadged Amscope model) 2.0 Mega Pixel Still Photo & Live Video Microscope Imager USB 190807921423 US $74.98 precision*world Amscope MD200 http://www.amscope.com/accessories/camera/2-0-mega-pixel-usb-live-video-microscope-imager-digital-camera.html (No resolution & FPS info here either.) 5MP Digital USB Microscope Camera with Software 171763989261 $94.21 bh542 Amscope MD500 5.0 Mega Pixel USB Still Photo & Live Video Microscope Imager 190996191721 $89.98 precision*world Amscope MD500 2592 x 1944 (388 sold) http://www.amscope.com/accessories/camera/5-0-mp-usb-still-live-video-microscope-imager-digital-camera-calibration-kit.html Frame Rate: 2fps @2592x1944, 3fps @2048x1536, 5fps @1600x1200, 7.5fps @1280x1024, 30fps @Other Resolutions ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- My price limit is under Au$300. So that's a bit over US$200 with the woefull exchange rate atm. As for resolution, there's a tradeoff between pixels and image frame rate. For stills that doesn't really matter, but it will make a difference when setting up, focussing, etc. There are newer USB 3.0 cameras available (higher frame rates), but they are all very much more expensive still, and I don't think that's an expense I can justify. Besides, all my PCs are USB 2.0 still, so I'd have to also buy a USB 3 card. (Later - seems I'll have to bite on this one.) I have to admit, I like the appearance of the Touptek ones. And maybe the software is more polished too - but who knows without trying it? It's highly preferable for the best one to be c-mount, with adapters to eyepiece tubes. Since I can then also mount it on various video camera lenses I have. So maybe no need to also buy a normal video camera - if it has high enough frame rate. Plus there's the telescope. For night deep sky viewing, high sensitivity sensors are needed. Referred to as 'dark field' sensors. General microscopy and day telescope use is called 'bright field'. Note that for microscopy flourescence studies it's best to get a dark field sensor. For video use, frame rate becomes important. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-definition_video Mode Resolution pixels Frame rates (Hz) 720p 1280 × 720 921,600 23.976, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94, 60, 72 1080p 1920 × 1080 2,073,600 24 (23.976), 25, 30 (29.97), 50, 60 (59.94) 1440p 2560 × 1440 3,686,400 24 (23.976), 25, 30 (29.97), 50, 60 (59.94) This is a key limitation: none of the USB 2 cameras can achieve 720p frame rates at sufficient resolution. So 720p or better video requires a USB 3 camera (or HDMI, etc.) All my PCs have only USB 2 ports, so I'd also have to buy a USB 3 card. Which are cheap: around Au$9 from MSY. Whether WinXP can cope with them is another question. Some USB 3 cards do list WinXP compatibility. Also would be nice to get one of the small cylindrical models, for quick and convenient use on the smaller microscopes (that are not so heavy and time consuming to get down off the shelf and set up.) Typically to be used with live view on PC screen, so best if high frame rate and about the same res as screen. 1.3 MP OK. It looks like all the c-mount cameras I've found so far come with fixed-focus adapter tubes. But variable focus tubes do exist, which allow to set up so the microscope eyepieces and camera are both in focus together (Parfocal.) This is highly desirable, since for high magnifications the objective to slide distance is critical. Especially with oil immersion. Touptek have three versions: Model Field size compatible sensor AMA037 18X0.37=6.7 1/4”~1/3” AMA050 18X0.50=9 1/2”~2/3” AMA075 18X0.75=12 1/1.8”~1” For mounting the touptek camera, my EOS 40D (with a c-mount adapter) and standard c-mount video cams, I think I may need all three. Calibration slides The ones that come with some cameras typically have a scale with 0.01mm gradations. That's 10um. For one project I need to measure things in the range 0.5um - 4um. I guess with onscreen measurement a 10um scale is OK. There are also graded square patterns for checking barrel, etc distortions. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Bought 20160210 Aliexpress 2 lens adapters for my EOS 40D Order ID: 72824065526143 View Detail Order time & date: 21:16 Feb. 09 2016 Store name: Oprima Order amount: $ 12.78 * C Mount Movie Film Lens to Canon EOS EF Adapter Macro Shooting Ring 1000D $ 5.49 X1 * Macro Extension Tube Ring for Canon EOS 350D 400D 450D $ 7.29 X1 20160217 shipped -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- My Microscope posts on NobLog ----------------------------- http://everist.org/NobLog/20141228_led-lighting.htm http://everist.org/NobLog/20150510_Olympus_bhm.htm http://everist.org/NobLog/20150628_LED_lighting_mk3.htm http://everist.org/NobLog/20151112_planning_vacuum.htm#refl My microscope-related posts on eevblog -------------------------------------- http://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/show-your-microscope/msg199447/#msg199447 Zeiss http://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/a-dark-topic/