Microscope CCD Camera

The MW5CCD microscope camera has 5.6 mega pixels and includes software. The camera threads directly onto your microscope's c-mount adapter.

The included software can be used to make measurements, adjust color settings and capture and save both still and moving images.

Learn more about this microscope CCD camera here.

Microscope Boom Stands

Microscope boom stands allow the user to place large objects under the microscope. The stands provide ease of use, as they swing the microscope body toward and away from the items that need to be magnified.

The ball bearing boom stand slides smoothly along the horizontal axis. This horizontal axis can be secured on the vertical post in a number of varying heights.

Above is an example of an electronics inspection microscope system on a boom stand. This microscope system uses a 150w halogen dual arm fiber optic illuminator that provides pinpointed light for viewing printed circuit boards.

The articulated arm microscope stand has several joints that allow the microscope body to be placed in varying positions. This boom stand secures the microscope body in position until it is adjusted. It does not slide on ball bearings the same way that the ball bearing boom stand does.

Paulownia Wood Under Microscope

Paulownia wood is native to much of Asia. The tree grows extremely fast and has been used for reforestation, to make surfboards, and wood furniture.

Cross section of Paulownia wood captured at 100x magnification using a Nikon Coolpix 5400 camera adapter on a compound microscope.

Same cross-section captured at 200x magnification.

A variety of camera adapters for point and shoot and digital SLR cameras are available here.

Measuring with Microscope Cameras

Making measurements with a microscope can be performed using an eyepiece reticle. Another way to perform measurements is by using the software that is included with a microscope camera. The image below was captured with the Lumenera Infinity 1-3 DK3000 3.1 mega pixel digital microscope camera, using the measuring software. The software was calibrated with the microscope and then measurements were made by using the computer.

Image captured at 1000x magnification using a metallurgical microscope.

When using the software to make measurements, the accuracy of the measurement is dependent on the ability to find the edges of what you are measuring. Measurements are made by drawing a line on the image. You can also draw a circle to determine the diameter or radius of the circle, or polygon images.

Magnifying Electronics

Printed circuit boards and small electronic parts can be difficult to view under a microscope because most of the components are not on a flat plane. These images were captured with a Meiji EMZ-5TR stereo microscope and a MC2000 digital camera at 15x magnification.

When viewing electronic parts, low magnification is generally best - anything between 5x - 20x is usually all that is required.

Adjusting the focus will allow you to view different focal depths in the undulating surfaces. Another option is to hold the piece in your hand and slowly move it up and down until the focus is crisp. Many technicians do this as they are soldering small pieces.

USB Microscopes

Digital microscopes, also known as USB microscopes allow you to connect the microscope directly to your computer. The microscope comes with software that when open, allows you to view a live image from the microscope directly on your computer.

USB microscopes allow you to gather multiple students around the computer to see an image, rather than taking turns to view a single image through the microscope eyepiece.

The software included with digital microscopes allows you to capture and save both still images and motion video. You can print images, email them, or put them into a presentation.

The Digital BA210 laboratory microscope is commonly found in Universities.

Digital USB microscopes are made for kids as well. This kids microscope is the DS-2 microscope. Low magnification of 20x and 40x is perfect for viewing rocks, coins, flowers or details on a toy car.

Brightfield, Darkfield and Phase Contrast

The images below are of a spleen and were captured at 400x magnification with the Meiji MT5310 microscope. This microscope has the capability of viewing specimens with brightfield, darkfield and phase contrast.

This image was captured using brightfield. Brightfield microscopy is the standard form of microscopy found in most high schools when using a high power light microscope.

This image was captured using darkfield. Darkfield is similar to back-lighting a subject. This microscopy technique takes the light and diffuses it toward the sides rather than directly through the objective lens.


This image was captured using phase contrast. Phase contrast is often used to view specimens that are the same color as the background they are against. Sometimes rather than staining a specimen, phase contrast will be used to produce similar results.

Actinopod Under Microscope

An actinopod is a protozoa with stiff rod-like pseudopods that radiate from the center. You can learn more about protozoans through these science videos and teacher handbooks.

Microscopic Worms

Check out these microscopic worms. Out of all known and studied worms, these have the DNA closest to human DNA.

Images were captured directly to the computer using the MC2300 3.0 mega pixel microscope camera on the SMZ-168 stereo zoom microscope with a 1.0 C-Mount Adapter. Images were captured at 100x magnification.

Low Power Microscopes

Low power or stereo microscopes are great for looking at things you might hold in your hand. These microscopes allow you to view details in objects that you can already see with the naked eye. Sometimes these microscopes will use no light, such as the 185 elementary microscope. Other stereo low power microscopes will have top and bottom illumination, such as the 460TBL microscope.

The amount of things you can view with a low power microscope is endless.

Paper clip at 20x magnification, captured with MC352 camera.

Penny at 7x magnification, captured with the MC352 camera.

Looking for other things to look at over the holiday with your kids? Check out the list below for some fun ideas of items you can view with your low power stereo microscope.

• Dollar bill
• Newspaper print
• Twigs & leaves - try dead and live ones for comparison
• Cat or dog hair
• Key to your house
• Grains of salt versus sugar
• Your thumbprint
• A spider or ant
  

$10 Off Microscope Special

Limited time holiday special. This weekend only get $10 OFF the already discounted 131-LED cordless student microscope! This microscope makes a perfect gift for kids. With 40x, 100x and 400x magnification you can identify bacteria, protozoans swimming in pond water and even blood cells.You can also add Microscope World's Super Slide Kit and DVD, Adventures with a Microscope. The slide kit contains prepared slides, blank slides, cover slips, an eyedropper - everything you need to get started on science exploration!

Enter coupon code 10MWB at checkout for $10 OFF the 131-LED microscope. Offer valid through Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009. One coupon per order. Offer is only good on the 131-LED microscope.

Microscope Prepared Slides

Prepared microscope slides are great learning tools for children. The slides are each labeled and ready to view under the microscope. No need to prepare the slide or collect samples.

This prepared slide is smooth muscle, viewed at 400x magnification. This prepared slide is one of nine slides in the Musculoskeletal Histology Slide Kit offered by Microscope World.

This prepared slide is hydrodictyon (found in clean water irrigation or streams). This slide is one of ten found in the Zoology prepared slide kit.

Digital Kid's Microscope

The DM52 digital children's microscope makes a great Christmas gift. The microscope includes a free slide kit and DVD "Adventures with a microscope".

The digital microscope connects directly to the computer and allows you to view a live image on the computer screen. Software and all cables are included. Capture and save both still images and motion video. The software even includes a photo album area where kids can collect the images they view through the microscope over time.

At just 11" tall, this child's microscope is perfect for younger users. Glass optics provide a clear and crisp image. Magnification of 40x, 100x and 400x allows you to view bacteria, protozoans in pond water and even blood cells.

This frogs blood image was captured at 400x magnification using the DM52 student microscope. This prepared slide is included in the free slide kit that comes with the microscope.

Wastewater Treatment Microscope

Microscope World has several microscopes set up specifically for wastewater treatment facilities. The most important microorganism that wastewater treatment facilities are looking for is bacteria. In order to view the bacteria, phase contrast is utilized.

Image of bacteria captured at a wastewater treatment facility using the DC5-163PH digital phase contrast microscope at 400x magnification.

Protozoa are single-celled animals that are the most abundant animals in the world. Wastewater treatment facilities are looking for these creatures. Different forms of protozoa the wastewater treatment plant may be searching for include: amoebas, flagellates, free-swimming ciliates, and carnivore ciliates.

This image of bacteria was captured with the DC5-163PH digital phase contrast microscope at 400x magnification.

The ability to capture and record images while scanning specimens in wastewater treatment is helpful. The two digital microscopes most commonly used for wastewater treatment are the DC5-163PH and the DMBA310 with phase. If you have any questions regarding phase contrast work please call us at 800-942-0528 and we will be happy to help you select the correct microscope for your needs.