🔬 Usability considerations of microscope cameras (DSLR vs dedicated cameras) | Amateur Microscopy

Some modern microscope cameras have features that can also be found in DSLRs (eg HDMI connection, ability to save on a memory card). There are also some differences, such as having to control the camera over a mouse (and screen) vs. directly on the camera itself. The video is not about technical differences, such as resolution, S/N ratios etc. but more on usabiliy.
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[@user-lc7rq1so5k]

I am, thinking about purchasing a trinocular dissecting microscope and your videos have been top notch. Thank you. I now specifically search for your videos.

[@ovalwingnut]

Rated: 📸📸📸📸📸 Much appreciated. Enjoying the general convo on a subject that I didn't realize was so interesting. 😁

[@weeardguy]

Right, so today I got a Euromex VC.3031 dedicated microscope camera. WHAT A DIFFERENCE! The optic between camera and microscope is the same I used with my Panasonic GH5 (with C-mount adapter) but the results with the GH5 were absolutely terrible, even the Lidl microscope I had before did a better job, that's how bad it was. Now I can take some awesome pictures!

[@henningpeters1130]

good video, thanks ! I think the main advantage of a DSLR -Camera is the possibility to make fotos with the stacking method. For example: Let the camera do alone a lot of fotos of the same object and during the camera does it, you change the focus fine tuning of the microscope. Later on the computer puts the fotos together to 1 foto - thargives incredible results. Software for this kind of stacking in the internet available without costs.

[@ujjwalmukherjee90]

Also hope some picture comparison frm you as you did it each time to get more clarity on this issue..

[@oneiltomlinson]

Have you posted any pictures taken with an SLR camera? Would love to see them.

[@dirku63]

That was just the video, I needed right now. Probably some parts for my new hobby microscopy will arrive around the Easter holidays, so I can photograph through an eyepiece with a Sony E-mount camera with a camera lens attached to an adapter. Unfortunately many people have to jump through a few hoops to get their individual solution up and running. Great video.

[@PotatoesRnice]

how did it work out? What brand microscope are you using? I am also trying to get my sony camera working on my amscope microscope.

[@Floyd005]

@@PotatoesRnice I have a Sony mirrorless a7r3 and an amscope b570c but was using a hdmi to thunderbolt adapter to connect to my IMac. It did not work. I realised that hdmi goes only to a monitor and not a computer. And the B570C has no trinocular so the camera was blocking both eye pieces. I should be using a USB that came with the SONY AR7R3 from the camera to the USB port of the IMac. I exchanged the amscope for a Swift SW380T instead.

[@luifer696]

Man, I really appreciate your videos but this one is special, I wonder if you are so kind as to share an image taken from the DSLR camera and another with the microscope camera, I really need to see the differences between both, I'm thinking to buy a Labomed 6Z my only doubt now it's about the camera.

[@stacyjackson9225]

Another incredibly useful video! I am very new to microscopy and looking for the most cost effective and efficient way to use what equipment I already have. I have a Nikon D5000 that I love with multiple lenses. The adapter with my camera I think will result in much better pictures than the camera on my microscope.

[@salaimand.dragon5060]

Can this adapter use at nikon?

[@JuanLopez-oz9kh]

Great video, One question can you do a video on the optics we should purchase for the microscope. Since the camera can not use regular lenses, its quality will depend on the optics of the microscope. Looking to get into these type of photography to enlarge the pictures to about 2feet by 4feet, but can not find a tri-microscope with good optics in the use market.

[@laoyonghu]

What is the magnification on the camera tube? Is it the same magnification as the eyepieces can achieve?

You convinced us about the Swift SW380T. I'm especially happy about choosing the T and not the B version, so we have extra space for a camera now. We will receive a connecting element today for our Canon SLR, but I might want to invest in another camera system, either just a USB camera that should work on a Mac (any specific ideas?) or a camera with a little screen right on top. It seems they offer them including an entire microscope system, but I would primarily want to know if they are available as standalone to work together with our Swift?

[@herbhunter5520]

I've a pristine wild m5, and a Nikon d5100. Would you recommend an adapter or a microscopy camera, for an amateur...to do still and videos for viewing on the internet? Thanks. Good info. What's your name? Source for good adapter? 😊

[@nilomyki]

Hi, what do you think is the possibility of using an old Canon Powershot S5 IS as a Microscope Camera?

[@C-by]

hy I'm from Indonesia. I would like to ask you. what microscope lens (objective) is suitable for macro photography?

[@albertlozano3437]

Most DSLRs allow remote shuttering which allows to take the image without touching the release button on the camera.

[@foodserviceeducation]

Great video, but you should had provided an example of what the lens adapter can see.

[@maddinw6232]

Super Video! Ich hab eine Frage: Ich habe eine Vollformat DSLR und ASPC DLSR. Die EOS 6D und 600D. Ich habe einen passenenden Adapter bestellt, allerdings ohne Optikelement. Ist eine Optikelement bei einer DSLR Pflicht oder kann man auch ohne arbeiten? Netten Gruß!

[@MicrobehunterMicroscopy]

Hallo, prinzipiell geht es auch ohne Zwischenoptik, das Objektiv projiziert dann das Bild direkt auf den Sensor. Allerdings ist das Bild dann entweder in der Kamera scharf oder im Okular und man muss refokussieren. Dabei muss man aufpassen, dass das Objektiv nicht den Objektträger kontaktiert. Es kann sein, dass bei der 6D das Bild nicht ganz formatfüllend dargestellt wird (was aber kein großes Problem ist, da man den schwarzen Rand wegschneiden kann). Das alles hängt auch vom Abstand der Kamera (Höhe des Adapters) ab. Habe ganz früher Webcam mittels Basteladapter so an das Mikroskop gehängt und viel damit gemacht. Es geht, ist aber nicht so komfortabel. LG.

[@maddinw6232]

@@MicrobehunterMicroscopy Dank dir für die Antwort! Ich würde mich übrigens über ein Video freuen was das färben von Pflanzen Präparaten erläutert! Wegen dein Kanal habe ich mit dem Mikroskopieren angefangen! Danke dafür!

[@igorbravo85]

What about using a smartphone adapters and record videos and take pictures using your smartphone? Can you make a video of reviewing any adapters or adapter? Thank you for your videos)

[@micro-reefsaquariums5169]

Yes, and most cellphone have great video such as my LGv40 12mp and I use the $25 adapter to hold the phone onto the trinocular tube, end results fanastic HD video of what ever you want to capture.

[@pr0xZen]

With an appropriate adapter, a smartphone can do well for recording video and taking images. Do be prepared for a bit of troubleshooting and trial and error, especially with modern higher end phone cameras, because they use multiple cameras and sensors in tandem to create image, depth sensing / TOF, do focus, color adjustments etc. Those things do not always play nice with the lenses and confines of a microscope viewport. Expect you need to use the "manual" / "pro" modes of your camera app to stop automatic and AI functions from going bananas trying to operate under these conditions. For direct viewing on a screen while manipulating objects under microscope, you want to use something with an HDMI output (some modern phones and tablet can actually do this with an appropriate dongle/adapter). This is because transfer over USB, lightning etc typically encode the video stream before transfer, then the viewing software decodes it - and this causes quite substantial latency. Meaning there's a quite significant delay between something happening under the microscope, and it showing on the screen. For still images and recording this is fine, but for a live viewing as a substitute for looking down the optical viewports while navigating, that delay is typically way too much. But with output to HDMI, there is encoding+decoding of the video stream, so output delay (latency) to a computer monitor is practically instant, usually well below 10 milliseconds. For output to a TV, make sure to turn on "game mode" or "direct mode" if your TV has that, as it disables the TVs own image processing which can add up to or even more than 100ms+ of signal latency (if left on).

[@RedEyrisFilms]

Can you use the dslr outside without the microscope?

[@salaimand.dragon5060]

This adapter can use at nikon?

[@aviewer7894]

I am trying to figure out the magnification of the objective attached to the camera. Some of the options for DSLR adapters say they are for 2x magnification. If you want to achieve a >1000x magnification, can this be achieved with a DSLR and a 2x adapter?

[@MicrobehunterMicroscopy]

There are 2 kinds of magnification and the magnification of the adapter has a different meaning. If you take a picture through a microscope, then the picture, then magnification depends on how large you display the picture. There is no fixed magnification in this case. I explained the difference in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZa2n3aprcd1nJI

[@jessiejamesferruolo]

I use an adapter for my phone. My Samsung can record in both UHD30fps and FHD60fps. There are time limites though. Seems to work great, but maybe not for professional use.

[@Sombre666]

Is it possible to take good (Still photographs) on a microscope camera? I ask because I have recently acquired an Olympus SZ61 trinocular stereo microscope, which is fitted with a permanently fixed C - mount which I am unable to remove, thus preventing me from attaching my DSLR. Keep well, and please keep producing these great videos, it's nice to have them to look forward to and keep me motivated. Again many thanks, your efforts are greatly appreciated.

[@MicrobehunterMicroscopy]

Yes, of course you can get good pictures. A properly set up system will work better than using a DSLR that is not properly set up and vice versa. Due to the generally smaller sensor size most microscope cameras have a poorer low light performance and also more noise, but this becomes only a problem under certain conditions. You can also get adapters for connecting a DSLR to C-mount. The good thing about Olympus is that you can contact them directly and ask them what they recommend.

[@Sombre666]

@@MicrobehunterMicroscopy Many thanks, your advice is much appreciated, I will try giving Olympus a to see what they advise.

[@cesarmaximilianovazquezfra9577]

@@Sombre666 HIM How you resolved the configuration of the sz61 tr, I have the same problem now, thanks for your answare

[@karanmaurya7102]

Hi Has anyone tried using a cmos camera (which is industrial and used for PCB repair) with a compound Microscope , if yes pplease share your experience. It will be very helpful. If you can share sample photos and videos that would be great too. thank you

[@mikb4372]

Hi thanks for this explanation and i think the mobile phone is good to the new generation have good HD Cam about 12 M. we can connect it directly to eyepiece so we dnt loose the magnification and we can directly display what we have on the mobile screen to the TV screen with cable or WIFI and the price is good to

[@pr0xZen]

Some modern phones struggle to work in this way because they use multiple cameras and sensors in tandem to compose images and video. These will not function properly when used in this manner, so at minimum use a manual mode, to override most of the phone's (failing) attempts at adjusting the image.

[@NothingOfficial668]

Mattias Wandel of microscopy.

[@reecebobeck]

thank you kind sir :)

[@texasfossilguy]

some of the newer cameras you can control w your phone, no more reaching up to touch it!

[@burtonkeeble670]

Oliver, please help! I have a new CX43 Olympus trinocular microscope. I have an older Canon 10D EOS DSLR. I have a T-mount adapter that allows me to put the camera on one of the eyepieces (not recommended), with terrible results. Can you tell me exactly what I need in the way of attachments to put the two together? My salesman doesn't know; Olympus sort of knows. I cannot get a definite answer. The suggestion is: U-TMAD;T-MOUNT CAMERA ADAPTER U-TV1X-2 CCD CAMERA ADAPTER, 1X NO LENS, REQ CAMERA MOUNT But, I know I'm going to need a part with a reduction lens. So, I you can correct this suggestion, I would appreciate it. Regards, Burton

[@MicrobehunterMicroscopy]

Hello, When I asked Olympus some months ago for an offer, they told me that for the BX53 I need (I assume that for the CX43 it is similar): U-TV1X-2-7: Connected to the trinocular port and U-TMAD T-MOUNT ADAPTER: this connects to the UTV1X-2 This is not for connecting the camera to an eyepiece. There are no optics and the intermediate image is directly projected on the sensor. So no reduction lens. The salesperson told me that the lack of a reduction optics is a feature as any optics in the light path will reduce image quality. The camera specific T-mount ring will be connected to the U-TMAD Check page 5 here: www.olympusamerica.com/seg_industrial/files/industrial_component_guide.pdf Check page J3 here: wie-tec.de/mediafiles/Sonstiges/Mikroskop/Olympus/Objektive_UIS_Serie_CompGuide.pdf Maybe this is another possible solution: www.lmscope.com/en/C_Mount_fuer_Olympus_BX_CX_AX_Serie_en.html

[@burtonkeeble670]

@@MicrobehunterMicroscopy Thank you! I've placed the order (not cheap) for those components. Additionally, I would also like to have a part that creates an eye-port for the trinocular. Olympus doesn't have such a piece (very curious since it seems so obviously reasonable).

[@burtonkeeble670]

@@MicrobehunterMicroscopy Unfortunately, that solution did not work. I returned the parts to Olympus. I finally resolved the problem using a .5 reduction adapter and 18MP high-speed camera, both from Amscope. I would like to have used my DSLR but it wasn't possible. Anyway, thanks again for your suggestion.

[@ute8337]

@@burtonkeeble670 thanks for sharing your solution

[@trentasenzalode]

So... is the SWIFT SC1003 garbage? I bought a switch 350T and i don't know what to buy to take videos. =)

[@MicrobehunterMicroscopy]

No it's not garbage. It's a 10MP USB 3 camera, which is able to capture pictures and videos at a sufficiently high frame rate (if your computer is fast enough). Every system has its pros and cons, even DSLRs. I think that there is no ideal camera around. The disadvantage with microscope cameras is, that you need a computer next to your microscope. The advantage is, that you can watch a live image on the computer next to your microscope and take pictures directly into your computer (eg. time-lapse over a long time). It's a question on how you see it.

[@trentasenzalode]

​@@MicrobehunterMicroscopy thanks for your reply! I think that a dslr (even at 500€ price range) is better than the SWIFT 10 mp camera, i just need to understand what to buy. I am almost sure that I will buy a Canon EOS 750D but I don't understand what else I need to get with it! I got me a switft 3500t 2 days ago and so... I am a newbie. Even if I watched a lot of your videos during last week I din't find a clear answer about my problem... could you please take my noob hand and guide me to solve this issue? *_* Thank you!

[@haroldchester904]

You don't mention focussing. I'm knew to this and I've found that when the subject is in focus looking through the eyepiece the image is not not in focus for the DSLR viewed on my PC.

[@weeardguy]

I hope you've found out by now, but that's parfocality: usually, the photoport has a small tube that can rotate a few millimeters up and down, to adjust focus between camera and eyepieces and adjust both them to the same point.

[@lotharmayring6063]

the flip out screen is nonsense because you can connect via HDMI to better devices like tablet computer

[@johnrobinson4445]

Those "proper adapters" are nearly unobtainable in the case of the old Olympus models. I bought a dedicated camera with USB 2.0 and am completely satisfied. I do not make youtube videos, however.

[@perrysrawsoul]

hey, Id love to know how is the smoothness of the video with a usb 2?

[@burtonkeeble670]

After *much* debate, I bought the Swift 16mp camera. I know, you said 5mp should be sufficient. I reasoned that 16 would give me more resolution, even if I didn't need it. And also, I could use the camera on a Stereo microscope, which would have a much larger field of view. Long story short, I cannot get the camera to work. My image is nothing like what I see through the microscope. It's out of focus, has chromatic aberration, and only a portion of the field of view. The reduction lens is 0.5x. Perhaps you could install one of these cameras and show us how to use the software? All the best, -burton

[@MicrobehunterMicroscopy]

Out of focus? This should not be. Try to lift the camera a bit out of the tube to check if this corrects the focus. It should be nearly the same. Check if there is an additional ring installed between the optics and the camera (or if one can be inserted). Sometimes there is a small adapter ring there as well for C-mount. This small difference in distance between the lens and the camera might make a difference. If you have it on the phototube, connect it instead of one of the eyepieces. The idea of these cameras is that they pick up the image from the place where the objective forms them.

[@burtonkeeble670]

@@MicrobehunterMicroscopy Thank you Oliver. I finally got it to work, although I am not sure what I did. The images could be sharper. I have three weeks to master the software, or, back it goes to Amazon. ;)

[@burtonkeeble670]

@@MicrobehunterMicroscopy Thank you Oliver, I overcame my focusing issue but there were software issues that tested my patience. I decided to return the camera.

[@figmentum]

I love your videos sir. I think you forget to mention a big disadvantage of using a DSLR camera, and that is "you always need to worry low battery and low memory storage". In microscope camera you don't have to worry about any of those. That's why i ordered from Ali express a Industrial camera which support 4K resolution up to 48MP and it has HDMI USB Interface it also support TF card Digital Electronic Industrial and i hopping it will be arrive soon. Brand Name: YIZHAN Model Number: H1605-B.

[@MicrobehunterMicroscopy]

You can buy adapters even for DSLR. They look like a battery and go into the battery compartment and they have a cable to supply electricity.

[@figmentum]

@@MicrobehunterMicroscopy i will try to for that compartment witch is suitable for my DSLR. Thank you sir. Love you always...

[@zekeslavens]

Typo in the title, considerations is misspelled. Great video!

[@MicrobehunterMicroscopy]

Thanks, I corrected it now.

[@kightremin]

Hi how are you?