SDG

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AG Termopasty Alcohol PCB Cleaner: bit.ly/30heD6y
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Cynel 1kg 0.56mm SW26 Solder Reel: bit.ly/2vLdpCo
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[@injoelsgarage3934]

Very well-presented overview of the a amscope! Looking forward to the solder testing experiments. Great food. Joel

[@robertcalkjr.8325]

Also, I have my microscope straight in-line pointing toward me. I went ahead and bolted a 8 inch metal shear on the left edge of my bench so that space wouldn't be wasted. The shear also cuts boards very well.

[@MindFlareRetro]

I just have to say, I've been really enjoying your latest videos. Not that is didn't before but the recent ones are super interesting. I'm looking forward to the solder comparisons. Keep up the great work!

[@sdgelectronics]

Thanks for the kind comment

[@PapasDino]

Funny how many of us have the same bench space problem...Since I don't use it really often I just move the scope onto and off the bench as required. But dreaming of a bigger bench! Thanks for sharing Steve, your solder comparison should be really interesting and informative.

[@sdgelectronics]

Thanks Dino. The main problem is the lack of other places to move it to 😂 the room is out of control with equipment and projects...

[@The.Doctor.Venkman]

Great video tonight, Steve. I think you've done an excellent job in sourcing such a comprehensive scope set-up. It's also nice to have someone as experienced as you putting together kit who knows what he's doing and what he wants. If I had the money right now and the lab space, I'd be getting this set-up. Will be nice to see the results of the better camera you've bought. As for all other products you've sourced: I'm looking forward to seeing the results you'll get. Keep up the great work, Steve and thanks for all your time and effort in making these very informative videos! (I think Julian Ilett should watch how you get on with the solder tests as he's been trying some cheap Chinese stuff with mixed results)

[@sdgelectronics]

Thanks Andy. I'm hoping I make all the mistakes so that no one else has to... I saw Julian's soldering, I'm interested to find out myself whether there are any issues and whether they are issues based on the alloy or flux in the solder. I made a mistake really and only bought around 3 or 4 cheap types of solder and way too many of the higher quality solders. I'm hoping I manage to capture at least one that's poorly performing.

[@deangreenhough3479]

Very very interesting😀 I have been looking at scopes for a while and this is exactly the information and talk through I needed. Thank you very much 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@vadimbellous8313]

Go with the Manis Elite, I won mine for $740 free shipping from eBay auction with 2 lenses. Dave from EEVBlogs talked me into getting one and there is truly nothing like it out there, but it did take me 2 months to find one under $1000

[@SURGE101]

Thanks so much for the information on the 0.35 adapter for the camera from lapsun gift, just bought mine. Was going to purchase the amscope ones but then saw your video on this. I got the 16mp camera that’s made by the same people as your orange 21mp one , so I needed the same adapter. Honestly thanks.

[@video99couk]

More or less the system I bought, though I took Amscope's own camera and had no problems installing it. But I just love the black finish on yours!

[@Datzfunk]

Wish you would have come out with this video about a month earlier. I too bought the 0.5x Amscope lens for my camera, coincidentally the same orange one you have. I'll be looking into the pancake one now. I saw them before but decided to go with the Amscope product. Thanks for the insight!

[@paulrautenbach]

Useful video thanks.

[@JoseSilva-dy1op]

Make a support to hold under the table, Will save your problem of space

[@sdgelectronics]

Certainly something I'm considering. I'm also looking around for a clamp that might take the cylindrical upright used on the Amscope boom arm.

[@gultelefon6451]

thank you

[@robertcalkjr.8325]

Thanks Steve! I want a microscope like the one you have for my next one. On my microscope, the camera is in focus when it is all the way down in the tube, which is good. I clean my boards with lacquer thinner first, and then alcohol. I also use some soft toothbrushes with lint-free paper towels when I clean the board using your technique. Then a final clean with a fresh toothbrush and alcohol without the paper towel. I bought a box of 100 cheap toothbrushes on eBay for about $2.

[@sdgelectronics]

That's some thorough preparation - sounds like it should yield some excellent results though. Thanks Robert.

[@robertcalkjr.8325]

No, thank you! I learned it from you, Steve. I learned using lacquer thinner from Paul at Mr.Carlson's Lab. Yeah, the lacquer thinner seems to remove flux easier than alcohol. The Chip Quik SMD291 No-Clean Flux that I am using now cleans up pretty easy.

[@robertcalkjr.8325]

SDG Electronics I'm sorry - I made a mistake. I don't know why I thought I got 100 toothbrushes for $2... I just checked and the ones that I actually bought were 144 toothbrushes for $10.94. My bad!

[@materialsguy2002]

I use a double arm boom stand in my day job (Materials Eng) on a Leica Stereoscope for up to about 90x. Best way to go.

[@microfix6035]

the A60 IS MY CHOICE

[@electronic7979]

Nice items

[@OKTAYAlizadeh]

Do you have a new link for that camera mount?

[@josephe9773]

Do you use the rubber eye guards on this microscope? Or is it better without it.

[@mobilecare-jayhriata]

can i buy the old camera when autofocus one arrive?

[@tinkeringtim7999]

Is image quality identical between the old scope and the new one? Have you ever used a high end scope to compare to? I have a lovely Zeiss which is really more than I need and I'm considering selling it to get an AmScope and some money for other things. But I'll be gutted if what I'm seeing has aberrations, depth of field issues, etc. Any advice?

[@OrbiterElectronics]

I've had no issues with Lapsun either Steve, I think I've had about 4 or 5 microscope cameras from them along with lenses etc. You certainly get good value these days with regards microscopes and cameras etc. I think when I bought my M'scope a few years ago it was around £1500 although I did choose to have a research grade head option that was available. I'm sure as you've found though that the newer Amscope options etc also have excellent image quality. Be interesting to see how you get on with the autofocus camera mate. I chose not to go down that route though as I assumed that like most they have a very shallow DOF, so say you're working around two components that are a couple of mm different in height I feared the autofocus system may become confused and just focus on neither. If you find it to be fine though I may try one too 😁. Cheers, John

[@sdgelectronics]

The nice thing is you can turn off the AF when you need to otherwise I would have bought the same one as you for the same reason. Thanks

[@OrbiterElectronics]

@@sdgelectronics Ah ok.. Thanks 👍

[@MichaelYoung-hu7bf]

Hello I recently purchased an Amscope CL-SM-3T-V203 microscope. I have watched some of your videos about microscopes, and camera mountings. I wanted purchase a .035 or a 0.5X C-mount Camera adapter for my microscope, but I cannot seem to find one that is compatible. I contacted the people at Amscope and they did not seem to know what I was talking about. The camera mounting port on my microscope is 28mm. nonthreaded. Would you be able to recommend a camera adapter? Thanks

[@garyspencer1711]

Steve, as always, another delightful production highlighting several key aspects of stereo microscopy methodology. Everything is just perfect (....lighting, sound, video sharpness). And, thanks for the demo of "specimen" illumination comparison. I'm so glad I didn't buy a ring light. Anyhow, I wanted to understand the 0.35x C-Mount lens with respect to focus adjustment. I just bought the same AmScope microscope head with the same USELESS trinocular photo tube device and I have to replace it for the same reasons you did. How does the focusing work on the 0.35x reduction lens ? When you rotate the outer ring, does the helicoid increase/decrease the total height of the pancake adapter lens .......OR.....does it just move the INTERNAL lens up & down ? THANKS !

[@sdgelectronics]

It just moves the internal lens up and down, so everything external stays completely static. I've found the lens really good - I set it up once in this video and have never needed to adjust anything since.

[@dps8114]

Hello, nice video and excellent review! I am trying to buy the same pancake lens like yours but the link you providing is no longer availble. Can you tell me what's the name of it and where I can buy it? I appreceiated

[@corban111]

Thanks for this video! I have ordered so many different types of lenses for my AmScope in the past but they were all a waste of money. I settled on a 0.5x with a 3D printed adapter but I wasn't happy with the result. I just ordered the Lapsun lens which looks perfect!

[@sdgelectronics]

It works really well - they seemed to be the only ones selling it which surprised me. Thanks

[@adriansosialuk276]

Hi Chris - I ordered the 0.35x adapter but when I tried it with my amscope I cannot get it to focus (out of its range). I need to hold the adapter mounted to the camera in the air about 4 - 5 cm above the head for it to be able to focus. Do you use any extension ? Or you use the adapter directly mounted to your amscope and the camera ? Thanks.

[@solid_rob3236]

@@adriansosialuk276 Did you find a solution?

[@adriansosialuk276]

@@solid_rob3236 Unfortunately not. Bought 2 different adapters with the same result.

[@solid_rob3236]

@@adriansosialuk276 Thanks for the update and sorry to hear that, hopefully you get to find and get better results.

[@jowettcars]

Hi Steve Found your video a tremendous help as I have recently purchased an Amscope myself and also having problems myself installing the camera. The ebay link to purchase the pancake lens you mentioned has subsequently disappeared but I have found some others. Purchased one which does not fit. Would it be possible to let me have the camera mount and microscope connect thread size on yours so I don't make another mistake. Many thanks Chris

[@ictrepairs6963]

What’s the microscope housing is made from? Mine is all plastic, very disappointed compared to my other amscope that was made of metal ...

[@jonnymakers9560]

how are you capturing video from the camera? it is smooth...is it connected to hdmi? and then to a capture card?

[@th3drizzl378]

how does this overall compare to the eakins or the older amscope version? this one with the different eye pieces and the adjustment on them vs the other style

[@sdgelectronics]

There's not really much difference from what I can tell.

[@antonmilosevic]

Can't wait for the flux (and flux cleaner) comparisons. I love the Topnik LP-1 flux, but I found that it's hard to clean with IPA (it leaves white marks on the pcb). Can you try all the combinations of flux and cleaner, please?

[@robertcalkjr.8325]

The white marks are from letting the alcohol dry by itself. I use a soft toothbrush and gently brush the board until the alcohol evaporates.

[@antonmilosevic]

Robert Calk Jr. I do that too! But it still leaves some marks. Maybe I have to use tissues to collect the alcohol after i scrubb everything?

[@robertcalkjr.8325]

Maybe you can try a tad of lacquer thinner after the alcohol to remove the white marks?

[@sdgelectronics]

@@antonmilosevic you need to use tissue. If you're only scrubbing the board the flux just dries all over the PCB

[@antonmilosevic]

SDG Electronics any recommendation on what type of tissue (paper ones just get caught on the leads and make a mess!

[@Kitaronas]

Great video. Very informative and helpful. What about the working distance? What is the max distance can you get with different barlow lenses? I would like to be able to have 15cm or more for my work.

[@sdgelectronics]

You get around 200mm with the 0.5x. The distance scales linearly, so with the 1x it's half

[@Kitaronas]

@@sdgelectronics Thank you very much for a helpful and timely reply.

[@boardtheidea204]

I need help with choosing one of the lenses for my microscope camera, do you mind sharing some of your knowledge? If so please see continuation below; 3.5X-90X Black Simul-Focal Trinocular Stereo Zoom Microscope with Double Arm Boom Stand SKU: SM-4TPZ-B Is the LapSun 0.35x still the one to go with?

[@sdgelectronics]

Hi, based on the Amscope website, that still looks correct. Can you measure the port size?

[@jamich1]

Hi, can you tell me in quality build and view how big is the difference between Eakins and Amscope SM745? I believe you bought SM745 for a reason right? Were you not happy with Eakins? Thanks

[@sdgelectronics]

I bought the Amscope first, the Eakins was sent to me for review. In terms of the microscope head, the quality is identical - there is almost no differences between the two units.

[@giozzzi]

I want to buy 3.5x - 90x in this black version. can you help me how i can choose the correct magnification of the camera adapter so when i am seeing trough the eyepieces as i will see trough the camera. Thank you!

[@sdgelectronics]

The 3.5x-90x is a 7x-45x microscope head with 0.5x and 2.0x lenses that screw onto the bottom. Generally you will always have the 0.5x lens on the bottom since this gives great working distance. I found that the 0.35x camera adaptor gave the same field of view.

[@giozzzi]

@@sdgelectronics thanks for your imformation!!

[@Mtaalas]

I already have a quite good Nikon trinocular microscope, but I need a boom stand... the stands are horrendously expensive :(

[@sdgelectronics]

The shipping costs are even worse. The stand is around 24kg, so shipping from the US to UK was around £175 for me.

[@adriansosialuk276]

Hi Steve, Got my SM-4TPZ and noticed that I have to re-adjust the focus a bit at the end of the zoom scale (close to 4.5x). Do you also have to do that or I should be worried that I received a faulty scope ?

[@sdgelectronics]

I don't think that's a fault, even if you set up the microscope to be parfocal, at high zoom levels the depth of field is very small so may need small readjustments. You could try setting the focus up again.

[@adriansosialuk276]

@@sdgelectronics Thanks Steve - yes of course adjusting slightly the focus at the highest magnification zoom range does the trick. I would have hoped though that it is truly continues zoom range as it is advertised :D Another thing is that I bought the 0.35X adapter you are using and I cannot get the picture to be in focus. I literally have to hold the camera (slightly different one from the same seller which is advertised as 4K) attached to the 0.35X adapter in the air 4 to 5 cm above the microscope head..... I contacted the ebay seller and he recommends to test it again with a working distance of at least 16cm and should be OK - something I need to still test but I am not sure if I can go beyond 15cm working distance and I have only 0.5 barlow lens installed.... And even if that indeed works at that distance then it makes it to be very limiting as I might want to use bigger magnification and therefore shorter distance ? So confused!

[@adriansosialuk276]

So I just checked few things which even more confuses me. If I set the working distance about 20cm high - I can get an image in focus on the camera but at the highest zoom magnification only with the 0.35X adapter. But at the same time I cannot get the picture in focus in the eye pieces. Moreover - with higher working distance any change to the zoom makes the picture in the eye pieces out of focus and I need to readjust the focus (that now happens throughout the whole zoom range with that high working distance). When I lower the working distance to about 16cm the picture stays in focus nearly throughout the whole zoom range (as previously - have to readjust the focus a bit at the highest range of the zoom) but I can never get the picture in focus on the camera itself.... Is there anybody here who would be kind enough to check if they constantly have to readjust the focus throughout the whole zoom range if their working distance is set to 20cm ? Just trying to understand if there is simply something wrong with the microscope or with the camera / adapter setup I bought...

[@adriansosialuk276]

Just ordered the 0.5x adapter from the same seller you recommended as hey believe it should fix my problem. Need to wait for the delivery to test it out - I will post my results when it's here. Thanks.

[@adriansosialuk276]

So I got the 0.5x adapter from Lapsun Gift eBay store, checked it today and it does not work - still the picture in camera is out of focus and I would have to lift it up above the scope head for it to focus (although this time a bit lower than with 0.3x one). Sadly I now ended up with 2 non working adapters - I requested a refund (as the seller confirmed it would work this time) so hopefully I will get my money back for the 0.5x one. I will leave a comment about my experience with getting the refund with them here as well.

[@ThingsWhichArentWork]

Check on ebay for 'Long Arm Heavy Duty Boom Large Stereo Clamp Table Stand Pillar For Microscope'. I've been pondering switching the stand on my own microscope for that one. It clamps on the side of the desk so doesn't waste space on the worktop. I'm only holding back because I haven't found a review of it yet. That stand might be exactly what you're looking for too. Cheers!!

[@sdgelectronics]

I did see that one, Jim. I saw Louis R did a video unboxing an Amscope with the same articulating arm but on the heavy base. He seemed fairly happy with it although it did wobble quite a lot.

[@erhandemir90]

Sir you can remove the base and place only the pillar on your desk 😁

[@FrankEdavidson]

The Amscope site is annoying. It doesn't have filters for various parameters, trinocular, included lights etc. Like I'm going to look through 213 stereomicroscopes with boom stands.

[@armchairtin-kicker503]

Hello Steve, I need your help. Currently in the market for a microscope, I am inspired by your solution to the chromatic aberration you attributed to the trinocular attachment provided by AmScope. Recently I watched another video, “Organic, free range, grass fed, cruelty free microscopes for sale,” on the “Louis Rossmann” channel. Mr. Rossmann also attributed an optical aberration to the very same attachment; however, his solution is not currently available. Please evaluate the Rossmann video and let me know if your solution, the “CTV 0.35X M38 38mm C-Mount adapter Scope Trinocular Stereo microscope,” likely addresses the same problem. Also, do you have additional reflections on your camera solution, the Industrial Digital Microscope Camera Sony IMX290, Model C202? Thanks.

[@stevec5000]

I also found the ring lights to be useless. The light they produce is not suitable for viewing anything. The goose neck LED lights work much better but you don't need to buy a special microscope light since 2 goose neck LED lights from IKEA work just fine.

[@xhivo97]

This or the Eakins? What would the Eakins not have that this does?

[@sdgelectronics]

No difference optically. The double boom is great if you have space but I think Eakins also sell it with a boom stand. I would go for whichever you can get delivered cheapest

[@xhivo97]

@@sdgelectronics I'll have to figure something out for the stand since shipping the stand here is very expensive, in the $150-$300 . I'm thinking either DIY or a custom job from a local metal worker.

[@erhandemir90]

Is AmScope quality different? it looks almost the same. I ask AmScope ''what are the difference with the cheaper models'' and they do everything to not answer that question 🤨😏

[@sdgelectronics]

No different from the ones I have to compare it to. The only higher quality bits are literally those metal knobs!

[@erhandemir90]

@@sdgelectronics thanks for your reply🙂 i ordered the black new model amscope one, now i am feeling sad haha. the one that you have compared has eye piece holders up side down and its half the price. maybe it had better glas or so.

[@yossishi221]

So did you recommend to upgrade to SM745NTP head?

[@sdgelectronics]

I'm not sure this design would necessitate an upgrade, but certainly if buying from new I would say it's worth selecting the SM745NTP

[@yossishi221]

SDG Electronics thanks What eye guard did you recommend-for this head? It did not come with eye guard. Correct?

[@sdgelectronics]

@@yossishi221 correct, it came as shown which is a little odd. I've not purchased any eye cups yet so I will update when I find something suitable.

[@yossishi221]

So what camera will be ok for this? Not expensive Thanks

[@sdgelectronics]

@@yossishi221 The one linked in the description has given me the best results so far.

[@krisiluttinen]

I noticed the swift (e400) small microscope shows much less distortion/fringing and sharper image than the trinocular. Can you list all the parts you used to add a camera to the eye pice of the smaller scope. Camera image looks sharp.

[@sumantabag2316]

Price

[@jahoskaflores6850]

Alguien me puede desir en qué país se encuentra la empresa amscope porq tengo 5 que le compré un microscopio solo resibi un mensaje diciendo que mi compra fue exitosa pero no me dijeron que día llegaba a miami

[@Kris0725PL]

Polish product :) Termopasty..zmywacz pcb :)

[@yossishi221]

hi can you gave me the link of the adapter that connect to the camera please? thanks yossi

[@GEORGE-jf2vz]

Eat more carrots. :-)

[@GabrielKozsar]

Yes , Amscope is just a US? based company importing from china and selling them under their brand. Nothing special. Those scope are all the same , coming from a single OEM.