[roentarre]

I had been browsing on ebay for a couple of months. There were plenty of sales on pentax adaptor to microscope.

I wonder if the images were great at all since the image quality might rely on the quality of microscope lens ...

I had a microscope that is rather medium to high standard (magnifies to 8000 times) and i wonder if i could explore that possibility.

Any comments on the quality of such device or is it a no no for cheap plastic adaptor?

Comments appreciated

[wirrah]

The adapter only serves as a mechanical link. So long as your set up is not too heavy it should be ok. I use the Asahi Adapter II (screw mount) on my olympus microscope with my *istD. If you have a reasonable quality microscope the images should be ok.

But things to note. Olympus OM 1/2 cameras had special focussing screens for micorscope use. The reason becomes abundantly clear when you mount your Pentax on the scope. It becomes very difficult to focus due to interference from the fresnal pattern on the focussing screen. The image can also be dark. I use an eyepiece magnifier and rely on the stage fine adjustment to get appropriate focus. It just takes a bit of concentration first time around.

cheers

Greg

PS Dust on your sensor will be very obvious in the photo

[roentarre]

Thanks for your reply!!

I wonder if i could change the fluorescent light of the microscope to higher watt? That would lead to brighter image instead?

I actually forgot to bid for the adaptor in ebay so i had to keep on looking for the adaptor again.

Do you have any example images ? Would you like to share with us?

Thanks

[wirrah]

Certainly nothing spectatular, this is a photograph of marine filementous algae. The slide wasn't prepared as such so it is not perfect. The hard, in focus, solid black dots are sensor dust. This was taken before I ever did my first sensor clean.

This is at medium magnification. Taken with a Pentax *istD using an M42 adapter and using the Asahi microscope adapter.

Unfortunately I haven't got much else to show at the moment. I took this photo early last year when I got my Olympus microscope but haven't taken any since. You have put me in mind to try it again seriously.

cheers

Greg

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[roentarre]

wow this looks so cool. I would love to explore this kind of photography !

more to come please. What was your staining technique? E&H, silver or EDTA?

[wirrah]

No stain. This is live algae so the chlorophyl gives it plenty of presence.

I'm currently in the throws of obtaining a gram stain kit as the reason I bought the gear is to monitor the health of my dogs and birds. There is another fast and easy stain called Diff Qwik which our local and specialist vets use but I haven't been able to track down a retail source (I'll twist my vets arm)

If you are looking for ever looking for supplies try this place

http://www.proscitech.com.au/catalogue/home.asp

cheers

Greg

[Tom Lusk]

Knowing how fine those filaments are, just how great of magnification is this photo?

Filamentous algae has become a problem in some Canadian waters in recent years, but this is the first time I've had the opportunity to see such a magnified view.

Thanks for sharing.

[roentarre]

To Wirrah, gram stain would be fun. Stain your own saliva or sputums instead. There will be plenty of streptococus viridans or staph to see with some deformed squamous cells. Maybe even to stain for barr bodies in woman - good abstract for sure! I am searching for the adaptor now - saw one in europe but was unlisted all of sudden...

[wirrah]

Knowing how fine those filaments are, just how great of magnification is this photo?

40x objective, 10x eyepiece (so 400x). The algae was from the filter out let in my marine aquarium.

cheers

Greg