The Journey to the Microcosmos Microscope Review!

[@vlogbrothers]

Hey! Thanks so much for this! I really appreciate the perspective!

[@MatthewGaydos]

Thanks so much for making this! We'll definitely see what we can do about some of those quirks before we make the next batch.

[@diettoms]

Cool cool! You might also check on the cell phone adapter. I didn’t mention this because I’m not sure if it’s a one-off mistake but mine didn’t come with any rings that actually fit the eyepieces. I talked to another owner and they also said they had trouble with theirs.

[@emorelix]

As someone who received his microcosm microscope in the past few weeks, it seems the filter holder is now centered, or the one you have had a production quality issue.@@diettoms

[@leonardodtc4847]

My parents gifted me a Olympus BH2 in the late 80s, still have it, learned how to grease the knobs and works like a champ, came with a phase contrast lenses and condenser.

[@diettoms]

Another update for anyone new to the channel - please consider visiting, subscribing, and posting your scope footage to Reddit via /r/microscopy - I was recently granted the awesome superpowers of “moderator” and hope to make it THE HUB for amateur microscopy :) I want to post again since it's been a while since I reviewed this and I've played with a lot of other amateur scopes since. This remains one of my favorites for its sturdy build quality, mod-ability, and native compatibility with high-end Olympus objectives. I hope they can make enough of these next time to provide them without selling out!

[@lukjad007]

I ordered mine and it shipped!

[@kashmirha]

Can you explain the dirrenence between plan objective and acromatic? Is it worth the extra 100 plus dollar?

[@diettoms]

@@kashmirha Check out this vid kzbin.info/www/bejne/p16kdoZ8gZuFntE

[@diettoms]

Hey folks, so a reddit user let me know that the Journey team might not end up selling the plan objectives because they're difficult to source. Fear not! You can still buy very good objectives for this microscope if you know where to look. I will try to put a little buying guide together in the next week or so :)

[@centralgreatplainsbackyard6297]

I'm in the process of upgrading my Swift 350b to plan objectives from aliexpress. I bought the 10x to see the quality and it was so good I've ordered the rest, but they're not here yet. They're very good value for the money.

[@diettoms]

@@centralgreatplainsbackyard6297 nice! I’d be interested in seeing examples of the images and getting pointed to the specific objectives you bought. One of my main goals is to make it easier for people to break into intermediate-level microscopy

[@bjnslc]

Just noting that currently you can buy the non-plan version for $350 and the plan version for $500 from the Microcosmos store. It sounds like that's new since you made this video as you mention the upgrade being a separate set of lenses. Looking at your comparison video, the $150 difference seems worth the upgrade.

[@Jim-Stick]

Excellent video! I'm subbed to the subreddit. Been really enjoying the new world. Edit: Just realised you were the person to answer my question I had! Thank you so much for your work.

[@diettoms]

I was wondering why I thought your reddit name was familiar!

[@spelunkerd]

When I grew up I had a monocular microscope. This is so much better compared to that, binocular views are a game changer. Brilliant review.

[@diettoms]

Speaking of game changers and binocular microscopes, you should check out my ShinyaVision mod: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sGe3hqGsdqlghsk

[@sunflowerfoxs]

When you can hardly see out the right eye

[@DoctorNOS]

Awesome

[@DP-qb1zw]

Acromatic objectives have a longer working distance than plan ones from the same series, so are more useful observing water samples in well slides. Plan Apo usually have even more extremely short working distances.

[@diettoms]

I don’t think working distance should factor in to achromat vs plan. Yeah the plans are a little closer, but you’re still talking around half a millimeter for a 40x which is plenty for a reasonably prepared slide. In practice, the 40x Plan Apos are the only ones I ever have trouble with as far as working distance.

[@cstephen98]

I was thinking of getting the Journey to Microcosm scope but the 380T is less money and in CDN vs USD which adds another 25% to the cost plus shipping and duties.

[@diettoms]

Yeah that’s what a lot of folks outside of the US are finding. It’s not really a massive difference either way as far as the end results go!

[@foodserviceeducation]

Great video and review! We bought this microscope hoping to capture content similar to what was showcased. However, we're not entirely convinced that it lives up to its billing as a tool for 'content creation.' Despite our high expectations, we found it unsuitable for our needs in teaching about bacteria on our channel. Unfortunately, it didn’t capture the type of content we aimed for, making it impossible to effectively teach safety and sanitation. We're disappointed, and the microscope now sits unused in its box.

[@bakkila99]

I just got this microscope and they had multiple different packages. They had the one with achromatic and one with plan. I got the plan one. And then they had a bundle version where you can get the plan version with the rheinberg filters, and it was actually around $20 LESS with them than without them! Not sure if that was a mistake on their end. My phone mount is different than yours.

[@diettoms]

Nice! If you’re up for it, I’d be curious to know if this little mod is still applicable: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZC0gXhjdtJlsNk

[@zoominmicroscopy]

Nice job! I love an honest review!!

[@craigmackk]

Thanks for the video. I’m looking to add microscopes to my content

[@diettoms]

Hey Craig, feel free to drop by the Discord if you’re looking for specific recommendations or have questions about how best to set up for micro-video. discord.gg/5V94yeXT

[@DoctorNOS]

@@diettomsawesome. This is my main account. I’ll join

[@HarleyLikesMusicUK]

Nice video! And nice channel name, i was thinking of going with Flagella Lawson.

[@Oneirophrenic123]

Which Motic Ba310 microscope did Journey to the Microcosmos use?

[@JosephDavidBen]

I'd like to get into microscopy and I have absolutely no idea which microscope I should get. What would you recommend to someone like me (< 500usd)?

[@diettoms]

Hi Joseph, there are a lot of options. If you visit my discord, I have a "scope-recommendations" channel where I've listed three solid choices and described what they're good for. You should also check out this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHqaY6hqhZyqo80 if you're thinking you might want to upgrade in the future.

[@bariseker4193]

I decided to turn back to my teeange hobby Microscopy. My budget is about max 5K euros as a hobby microscober. Does Motic BA 410E make sense? I dont want second hand.

[@terrygabriel5945]

Hi Jason ny name is Terry, firstly I enjoy your Chanel as I am a newbie. I have followed Dr. Elaine Ingham’s guide for purchasing a microscope for quantifying soil biology and I have a bought a Omax M8311 compound trinocular microscope. I still need to buy a camera to help with identifying certain biology but not to sure on the type as I don’t want to break the bank. I like the idea and the simplicity of a cell phone camera, what would you recommend with a 23mm tube. Thanks,

[@diettoms]

Hi Terry, to use a cell phone camera with the trinocular tube you’ll need an adapter which includes an eyepiece lens and goes down the tube. I haven’t used this one before but the amazon link here shows the style you’ll need. If you have an iPhone, there’s a company out there making something called the “LabCam” which is purported to be a real nice cell phone adapter (but it’s pricey). www.amazon.com/dp/B07412S738/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_9ARZTYEZE97XH3FYK3ZR?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

[@terrygabriel5945]

@@diettoms I was pretty much looking at the exact same one but was on the fence but I will give that one a shot, thanks for your input Jason. 👍

[@nickcosimano5028]

I just use a peace of cardboard as a dark field filter. When I figured out I could by accidentally putting my finger in front of the light, I felt like an inventor. Now I see you can just buy them, I feel like the cardboards gotta go.

[@diettoms]

Yeah I mean making your own is totally valid and might even net you better results. A guy posted an image on reddit yesterday doing Rheinberg filtering with a bit of blue candy wrapper. It looked absolutely stunning! Microscopy definitely rewards experimentation.

[@centralgreatplainsbackyard6297]

I've made a few from cardboard too.

[@pmate95]

For me, it looks like all of the other Chinese microscopes available on the market. I'm wondering why no one tries to create and sell microscopes with Sanderson Prism technology. It's kinda cheap, and it would be revolutionary with a DIC-similar solution. That's the technology I would support because it could change the world of amateur microscopy. After I bought my second microscope, which was similar to this, I couldn't move forward to better microscopes, because it's nearly impossible to make a difference between these by specs. Instead, I found a used Nikon Labophot microscope, with higher N.A. lenses, and it was groundbreaking for me. Since then I think the only way to make better results than this is the DIC technology, which is insanely expensive, so that's why I hope someday some manufacturer tries to implement Sanderson Prism DIC and it would be available for us.

[@diettoms]

You should check out some of my other videos. Upgrading amateur microscopes with better lenses: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHqaY6hqhZyqo80 Advanced oblique filters: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGjIhpyuq7lmq5o You’re not wrong that it looks like a Chinese scope - it is one. But it’s nicely built and better outfitted than many comparable scopes. And, as I point out in the video, one of the best features is that you’re supporting a great channel by buying it :) Everything is relative - some will buy this and it will be all they ever need, while others will buy it and quickly outgrow it. Regarding Sanderson prisms, I don’t know anything about those - I would appreciate any resources you can share! One thing to understand is that transmitted light microscopy is something of a commodity these days. Even in its heyday, DIC was niche. Phase contrast and BF get the practical job done for most routine tasks. No matter what you do, you’re bounded by Abbe’s equations, so most research and marketing is in super-resolution techniques which are out of reach of hobbyists. But that’s why hobbyist microscopy is so important! There are absolutely new techniques and methods waiting to be discovered in classical light microscopy. Industry isn’t working on this much anymore so it’s up to amateurs to figure things out!

[@pmate95]

@@diettoms ​ @diettoms Thank you for the answer! My opinion was not against your product, but I was a bit tired that on the market, there are no big differences between the available amateur microscope. In Hungary, there are two major sellers, but they sell the same microscopes with different brands. It's not easy to decide, because the optics don't have differences by numbers (same N.A., same tube length...), but the important things, like chromatic aberrations, and color fringes, aren't shown in the information. The Sanderson prism technology is relatively new, but yet not popular at all. You can find papers about it on Google (Sanderson prism microscope). (I can't put links here, because youtube deletes the comment) I've got similar results with polarized light, and some plastic ruler in the filter holder, but not so perfect as this could be. You should check those papers and my video about the ruler-thing (Vonalzós polarizált megvilágítás). Although it's in Hungarian, I think you will understand what I'm trying. Good luck for you!

[@diettoms]

You should join my Discord! Since your original comment, we actually have a guy who joined and is using a Sanderson plate on his microscope. Perhaps you can talk to him about it. It’s something I’m definitely going to experiment with and might even make a video on :)

[@nickcosimano5028]

You got it!!!

[@KarmeshMadhavi]

You didn't show the direct view from the Microscope.

[@Trylobyte]

Any "standard" microscope will take the high end objectives so that is not a special characteristic of this scope. I had an "amateur" microscope a while back and the objectives had discs of some sort of fibrous material on the top of the inside of the objectives. These stood a little proud and got slightly scraped every time you turned the nose piece -leading to dust accumulating on the top lenses of the objectives! Luckily it was a standard microscope with RMS threads and I was able to replace those crap objectives with a decent set.

[@tzza9668]

Hey, I am thinking of getting a microscope from Motic, specifically BA310 LED Binocular which is 1250 Euros, would you be able to maybe recommend me another microscope that has same / similar specs which costs less or a better microscope that is more expensive? My budget is around 2000 euro, thank you very much. I'm absolutely new to this.

[@darryllim2969]

If you're looking for a branded microscope from those big company, a Zeiss Primostar 3 or an older model like Olympus CX31 is quite similar to it. For microscope from not branded company Euromex iScope or Oxion will work fine. Overall Motic BA310 or the newer model Panthera can upgrade their objectives to plan fluor or apochromat, I'm not sure if thats possible for that two models from Euromex and Zeiss but for Olympus the upgrade will be a lot more expensive.

[@tzza9668]

@@darryllim2969 appreciate it , I will have a look.

[@DP-qb1zw]

2000 euro? You can get a late model, used , professional microscope for that much. Look at Nikon Eclipse models for one.

[@DP-qb1zw]

I have at least 30 microscopes that we're all university or lab quality in the past and none were over 1500dollars

[@tzza9668]

@@DP-qb1zw Right, in EU it is a lot more expensive it seems, ba310 is 1400 with some additional stuff + delivery / tax it will be around 2200 euro. Florescence however is not possible with it, for that I would need to get a model that I was looking at cost 1800 euro Panthera C2 with additional stuff for it it bill be around 2800.

[@richardzee8994]

Are these ever going to be in stock again?

[@diettoms]

I've asked the uCosmos folks recently and the answer is yes but they have not committed to a date. If you're looking for a good beginner microscope now, I often recommend this one as a great deal: bolioptics.com/40x-1500x-led-biological-compound-trinocular-microscope-halogen-xy-stage/

[@TheRysiu120]

Can you make a video about it? Im looking for one but dont know what should I pay attention to

[@cherrycotapie]

they are right now!

[@richardzee8994]

@@cherrycotapie Awesome! Thanks for the heads up!

[@photobobo]

No field iris?

[@diettoms]

No, the JttM scope is not a Koehler scope

[@Zunree1869]

Do they still sell these?

[@diettoms]

Yup! microcosmos.store/products/the-microcosmos-microscope Also consider the Bolioptics scope I recommend on my Discord

[@Zunree1869]

Aight, thanks, thiunking of saving up for one :)

[@diettoms]

@@Zunree1869 for sure! Fyi the boliscope is closer to 250 bucks and has a lot of advantages. Join the discord if you want to chat with me about the decision!

[@kylerosenberg2508]

What camera did you use to film these shots?

[@diettoms]

Hi Kyle, all footage in the video was captured on a Sony A7III.

[@kylerosenberg2508]

@@diettoms I tried searching for it and was unable to find it. Would you mind posting a link?

[@kylerosenberg2508]

Okay, I just found it, but don't see anything regarding what adapter I might need in order to attach it to my eyepiece.

[@diettoms]

@@kylerosenberg2508 for down-the-eyepiece shooting I use a Varimag II. There’s also an amscope DSLR adapter which comes with a canon mount but can be screwed into a T2-NEX adapter (T2 is a standard generic thread, NEX is the proprietary Sony bayonet mount). Do you have the JttM scope as well?

[@kylerosenberg2508]

Yeah

[@SuperBoppy]

Dark field filters made with a 3D printer = almost free. :)

[@BartJBols]

Imo there are 4 kinds of people, people who look mainly forward and backwards, these are the boring people. Then there are people who look up through telescopes, The people who look down through microscopes, and then there are the people who have enough money to do both microscopes AND telescopes.

[@diettoms]

Yeah I don't do telescopes because I know I'd get sucked in to the gear and I only make enough to support one expensive hobby! A good pair of binocs is a nice compromise, though.

[@LencaTecumseh]

$350 is $100 over priced compared to amscope, omax and others.

[@lotharmayring6063]

you should not buy a microscope , you shoeld buy a good objective an build your microscope

[@diettoms]

Yeah that's definitely one approach. It's very similar to choosing a DSLR/mirrorless - you want to make sure there are lenses out there that'll work for you. And then the best lenses often cost more than the body itself!

[@lotharmayring6063]

​@@diettoms today cameras and microskopes come with a lot of stuff you even dont need. bad optics and lieght are the limiting factors. with so much tecnical overload you canot concentrate in preparation and object

[@diettoms]

@@lotharmayring6063 I agree! That’s why I prefer and recommend 80s-vintage clinical grade microscopes like the BH2 for folks that want to do higher performance microscopy. I think they hit the perfect mix of simplicity and performance - they really don’t make them like they used to! That said, a lot of folks entering the hobby won’t know they want to go deeper into the hobby until they’ve purchased a microscope like this one. You should check out my video on upgrading amateur microscopes and let me know what you think!

[@lotharmayring6063]

@@diettoms i am looking for good optics and the fine mechanic. DIY ist illumination body etc. So i could make some inverse microscopes with mooving stage and laser ilumination wich i dont see on market. Forgetting all tarditional microscopy and concentring on preparing the specimen

[@diettoms]

@@lotharmayring6063 Sounds like a cool project! One thing to be aware of for inverted configurations is that, if you’re imaging up through the slide, you will not be capable of as fine detail at high magnifications because of the increased working distance.