Re: Which Microsscope?

Hi Sven!

If you search through the archives of this group on google groups, 
you'll find a stack of threads where people ask 'what scope should I 
get?' (:

Anyway, your best bet is a biological research microscope that has a 10x 
eyepiece (most do) and a 100x objective lens. Usually they will have a 
turret of three, four or more objectives ranging from 4x to 100x. Best 
if you can get a 10x, 40x and 100x (quite common combination). If you 
can get a binocular one, then that's better than monocular in my opnion. 
If you're into photography, then you might want to look for one with a 
camera attachment (more expensive). Probably the easiest way, though, if 
you want photographs, is just to buy an eye-piece adapter.

The scope will cost you quite a bit of money if you want a reasonable 
quality one. Just do a google search for "secondhand microscope equipment".

Brands to look out for are Olympus and Nikon. Olympus in particular have 
some excellent microscopes from the 1970s that are getting a bit 
cheaper. Of course Zeiss and Leica are excellent but almost certainly 
out of your price range.

Have fun!

Scott.


Sven wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I am wondering whether anybody could help me on the way by suggesting a
> suitable microscope, which I would like to use for the purpose of
> investigating microbes in aquarium (tropical freshwater) water and biofilms
> created in biological filters.
>
> My experience is not great in microbiology, though I have some understanding
> of the different types, and shapes of bacteria and protozoa.
>
> I find the topic facinating and hope to be able to identify bacteria and
> protozoa feeding on each other (and sometimes on my fish :-).
>
> Thanks,
> Sven