🔬 USB Microscope Camera review | Amateur Microscopy

[@SummerSpiritPersonal]

You're one of the only ppl on YT doing these reviews. I just bought my first real microscope only to discover the digital eyepiece that connects to my computer is separate and I need to do research to know which one is good to buy. Lol. Thanks for your videos. Even if I'm 3 years late lol

[@larryseibold4287]

when you remove the 10x eyepiece and insert the 0.5x camera, doesn't the image magnification drop by 20x?

[@cantthinkofnameyeah7249]

Thank you for all your help in researching microscopes! Just ordered the Omax quintuple infinity plan phase contrast Siedentopf LED Kohler Compound Microscope and am really excited!

[@3ggb0x]

I just got the omax

[@bendirval3612]

You went all in! Let us know how it works out.

[@johnrobinson4445]

I bought it just last week. It works very well. For the money (209 US dollars, not including shipping to Japan), it is an elegant solution to the problem of getting good pictures into my PC. Thank you for the recommendation. Note: there are no adapters included. It works as-is with my American Optical 570 stereomicroscope and my Olympus BH2 Compound microscope. Fine results. For my newish Swift tri-power stereomicroscope, the barrel of the camera reduction lens is not wide enough. I think a simple cardboard tube may provide the solution there. Will let you know.

[@johnrobinson4445]

Tried the cardboard tube. There was just a little 'play' in it, and the camera was ever so slightly at an angle. This made precise focus impossible. But I was able to hold it tight with my fingers and get a good picture. The tube helped but needs more work.

[@nickjung7394]

Thanks very much. I bought a "38" MP camera direct from China and I have fitted it to my old Gillet and Robert microscope. One problem that I am having is with lighting. Replacing tungsten bulbs with LED produced flicker because the power source inside the microscope is AC. I have ordered a rectifier that I will fit when I get time.

[@texasfossilguy]

you can try to extend the capture time with software.

[@shmsdhmsd1880]

Nice video Oliver , I want to ask you how good the video resolution is ??

[@tomspeed2000]

Is it huge difference between 14 and 18mp camera ? For the price 18mp is about 490 and 14mp is 380 euro.. which one do you recommending please?

[@MicrobehunterMicroscopy]

both cameras are way beyond the resolution of the microscope. You won't benefit from the large number of megapixels. Large number of MP might even be a disadvantage as the sensor size is small and this increases noise.

[@malelonewolf80]

How important is color accuracy for this type of photography? I am about to order a hdmi portable 16 inch monitor, which I intend to use mainly for other purposes, but I was also toying with the idea of connecting it to my dslr mounted on a microscope to get a preview of the image on a large screen before taking the photograph. The monitor I have chosen should be good enough to check the focus on and such, but I wonder if color accuracy of a preview image is very important since the monitor is not too good in color accuracy. The dslr will capture everything (.raw images), but I wonder if color accuracy is so important in the preview stage that I can use such a hdmi monitor, or do I need to use a computer image capture software along with a computer monitor with a higher degree of color accuracy in order to have a good preview of the image before taking the photograph... Would just be very neat to not having to need to use the computer before the post processing of the images captured by the dslr. To put it simpler, how much attention do you give to the colors in the preview of microscope photography, compared to other areas such as the correct focus.

[@MicrobehunterMicroscopy]

Much depends of course on what you intend to do (if you have to measure out colors and hues) or not. The camera software allows you to adjust the white balance and when you change the light intensity of a halogen microscope, then this also changes the color temperature. I want to say that there are probably other factors that play a greater role. Otherwise you adjust the the settings in the software in such a way that you get the color temperature that you want (and this way you can correct any deviations of the color). Microscopic images are often very abstract anyway and often you will therefore not know if the colors are correct or not, because you do not have a real-life reference.

[@irshadalikhan187]

Can you suggest the name and model compound microscope for this camera? I already have camera but don’t have microscope. Thank you

[@ads3453]

As I know you are a fan of Olympus microscopes have you tried a dedicated Olympus camera ? I have an Olympus SZ61TR and am now looking for a decent camera that is tack sharp. Olympus microscope cameras do appear to be very expensive but perhaps they are worth it ?

[@akremsoltani3681]

Hello Oliver, Can you please give me a name of sheap 5MP microscope camera (under 100$) and thanks because a lot of camera are existing in Aliexpress and other websites but I'm afraid about quality.

[@seanhannagans]

I bought a similar product for £500 with usb 3. I was bitterly disappointed with the picture and video quality. (Might have been me...) However, I later spent £125 on a Canon adapter for a nearly 10 year old APC DSLR, then subsequently a newer DSLR, both were amazing in comparison.

[@ebrahimshokoohi6372]

Hi Sir. I have a VWR microscope, and I am looking for a good camera. Would you please advise me on what camera to buy?

[@Spacecomber]

I know this video wasn't meant to be a detailed review of this USB camera, but I was curious how good the preview image was for viewing moving Protozoa and other micro-critters. I suppose that amounts to what frame rates and resolutions is the camera actually capable of capturing video at?

[@MicrobehunterMicroscopy]

For video, I think it is better to use a camera that is able to capture HD in 16:9. Microscope cameras have a 4:3 ratio and USB 2 is generally slow if you need high resolution. For practical purposes, you can go down with the resolution and still get a usable video. I would look for USB3 for video or connect a DSLR. About the frame rate, this depends both on the shutter speed and the speed of the usb connection, but for high res, it is not possible to get the 25-29 frames per second with USB 2.

[@LittleHoneyMan]

Dear microbehunter, I am currently using a svbony sv605 microscope. Would greatly appreciate if you could recommend a camera that can go well with it. I have a sv189 1.3mp camera but it is not sharp enough. Please advise.

[@stefaniaponitz5738]

Very insightful video. Thank you so much!

[@JohnDoe-ze8wy]

Hi M Hunter, if you owned a Canon 6D would you still buy a dedicated microscope camera? In amateur astronomy astronomy, the DSLR can never mate properly with telescopes the way an eyepiece or CCD can because of the DSLR flange so images are much worse than one sees in the eyepiece - is this also an issue with a DSLR vs a dedicated USB Microscope camera? ....your thoughts appreciated - I am sold on the OM 36 and am unsure if the 6D will produce as good , worse or better images than what you have in your hand assuming they had the same sensor size? I will go with an Optipix Summit option if in your view that's the best route. Thank you for the very instructive videos.

[@MicrobehunterMicroscopy]

The Canon 6D is a full frame camera and if you want to get an image on the sensor, which fills the whole frame, then this might be a challenge. Ideally you would be able to mount the camera directly on the microscope without intermediate optics. The objective will then produce an image. But for doing that, the sensor might be too large. You might have to crop the image, as the corners are black. The central part of the image might be very usable, though. The challenge here is to find an appropriate adapter, maybe have to make one yourself. Alternatively you might be able to get a DSLR adapter with optics. These adjust the image size to fill the sensor. Here we have a similar issue, though. The optics might be designed for small sensor DSLR cameras. So the question is really more if you are able to find an appropriate adapter to connect the 6D. Because image quality and resolution is better in DSLRs (and also better video), I would first try to connect the 6D and if this does not work, look around for alternative options.

[@eladregev9371]

Hi Microbehunter, are you aware of any microscope cameras that I could use with an iPad? I no longer have a computer. Thank you for your work!

[@dbcarny]

Thanks for your videos. I am about to purchase a stereo microscope and camera but am not sure how many megapixels my camera should be. Is there a certain point where the extra expense is simply wasted because of other limitations in the microscope system? For example, you were talking about a 5mp camera, while I have been eyeing an 18mp camera. What is the optimum size?

[@dbcarny]

I'm talking to myself here. No need to respond to the questions as I just watched how to calculate camera size. Thanks.

[@Baldwinthefourth-1176]

Not for sale anymore, where can I find it?

[@esphilee]

I got a Amscope USB camera. The software has a function to combine photos to increase the depth of field. I find it very useful. The camera itself has nothing to shout about.

[@texasfossilguy]

which one?

[@esphilee]

@@texasfossilguy 3MP, if you have an iPhone, use it with a holder. I find it easier to use than the USB camera. Unless you really need the software.

[@Micromad-ux3pz]

What camera do you use in your live sreams and for making all your photos.

[@TenesseeTuxedo1]

Great videos learning a lot. I have a 14MP USB 3.0 cam with .5x adaptor ring having major focus problems from eyepieces to camera. Hopefully I can figure it out with my new knowledge. Thanks for all your videos.

[@teeeejaay89]

which brand?

[@oneiltomlinson]

What would be a good adapter for my Nikon D3300? I see loads of adapters online but have no idea what to look for

[@robertedwards4113]

Thank you for your videos. Could you please tell me the name of your viewing software, I can't quite make out what it is called from the video.

[@MicrobehunterMicroscopy]

ToupView and Toup Light. Link is in the description of the video. Can be downloaded freely, but only works with appropriate cameras. A very common software.

[@robertedwards4113]

@@MicrobehunterMicroscopy Thank you

[@paullehmann9505]

Can you tell me if it works with Swift microscope cameras

[@aceisbatmanfr]

can you make a video of how to use a petri dish, thank you

[@czaczaja]

Great vid hunter. Would you recommend getting a dedicated camera or getting an adapter for my DSLR?

[@glasslinger]

I had the same question a while back. I bought the dedicated camera he shows in this video. (EXPENSIVE!) I also bought the adapter for my Canon I3 and compared them. The Canon has a marginally better picture but the dedicated camera can stay on the microscope all the time.

[@czaczaja]

@@glasslinger what about the resolution? Is 2mpx enough for a good quality pictures?

[@MicrobehunterMicroscopy]

Watch this for number of megapixels: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aHvLiJSDe6egaqs

[@glasslinger]

@@czaczaja Depends on what you are doing. The break where resolution has no more effect for direct viewing is about 4 megapixels. This is when the resolution of the camera is becoming sharper than the dots on your PC monitor screen, so excess pixels will simply be compressed into into available dots on the PC screen by the video processor. If you have a 4K monitor and graphics board you may be able to go to 10 or more megapixels and see substantial improvement! (too expensive for me yet!) One more thing to consider is if you blow up the magnification using the PC software function, higher resolution from the camera definitely will give you a sharper image! Then the camera resolution eventually will be limited by the microscope objective, as microbe hunter has pointed out in other videos. (How much resolution do you need to display an already blurry image!)

[@czaczaja]

@@glasslinger what I'm pretty much concerned with is that I want to take some quality pictures of whatever and I'm curious if i should go for a 300$+ 5mpx dedicated microscope camera or just get a 100$ adapter for my 21mpx DSLR?

[@brianromans8164]

What are the ideal colour settings for my Top View camera?

[@geraldbasford6713]

Greetings from the Napa Valley. I have i'm interested in watchmaking and would like your input on a camera for my amscope trinocular simul focal scope . I need to be able the video disasimbly and assembly for watch repair. I'm an amateure and know what a challenge watch repair is with all the numerous part and very small parts. Your videos are very well done Thanks.

[@stargazer4574]

Hello Oliver, I would like you to make a video on a simple way to cultivate brine shrimp. In addition, I have been told that brine shrimp do not need an air pump, is that true? Thanks in advance.

[@MicrobehunterMicroscopy]

These are the so-called "Sea Monkeys" (scientific name Artemia salina) that are sold in some science kits for children, and I have already been thinking about breeding them. They do need oxygen and I guess that if the surface area of the water is large enough, an air pump might not be needed, but have not tried yet.

[@ernestoluishutchinsonqueza6182]

Can use on mine Motic BA210 20 mm eyespice?

[@user-a43ef53d]

Hello MicrobeHunter =), could you make a short describe optics types or point out to any documentation? I mean, what is DPlan, EPlan, PlanC, PlanCN (probably for phase contrast?), ED Achromat, MSPlan (semiplan?), EA100 ?? there are many types of objectives, but that are too much expensive to make a bad buy =( What differences between your D-Achromat and ED-Achromat objectives described in the user manual for CH30/40? Thank You!

[@MicrobehunterMicroscopy]

Hello, You refer to Olympus. I found this one here, which describes the different designations. www.alanwood.net/downloads/olympus-lb-objectives.pdf Without knowing the details, I can imagine that the difference between the D and ED are cost and also degree of correction of chromatic aberration.

[@user-a43ef53d]

​@@MicrobehunterMicroscopy Great, it's very useful information..Thank you

[@majstor76]

Not sure why in 2020 manufacturers give cds with their products

[@ElectricityTaster]

It is actually a good thing. I have a Blue-ray burner for backup, and in 10 years the company may no longer be around, so at least then I'll have a copy of the original drivers if I need them. The cost is negligible. If it were drivers for a motherboard, GPU, etc. then I'm with you.

[@texasfossilguy]

@@ElectricityTaster they should include a usb..

[@ElectricityTaster]

@@texasfossilguy that could work, but I'm not sure how good they are for long-term storage. Also, people might change the files it contains without the end user being aware. Maybe there is a ROM usb technology out there I am not aware of.

[@mikb4372]

Hi what about the video quality of that camera

[@shamanking5195]

Hi Oliver Can you tell us why some microscope cameras are so expensive yet they have very little megapixels ??? why some with way more megapixels are cheaper ???

[@MicrobehunterMicroscopy]

Sometimes this can be due to price politics, but one factor that drives price up significantly is the size of the sensor. Larger sensors allow you to see more (wider field of view) and they have a much better low-light performance and less signal noise.

[@mitz8892]

I have a logitec wecam 1080p. Can it also be used as microscope camera. Pls reply.

[@MicrobehunterMicroscopy]

Yes but bad and you need to do some adapting. If you hold the webcam in front of the eyepiece then the image will be small (wide angle lens of webcam). You have to remove the lens of the webcam, then connect the sensor to the microscope (without the eyepiece). question if it is worth it. better to use a mobile phone with a mobile phone holder.

[@OfficialNetDevil]

Can you livestream with the camera?

[@TVperson1]

Are there any software development kits?

[@MicrobehunterMicroscopy]

Check this: www.touptek.com/download/

[@felixvaillancourt6320]

Nice video, as always! I have a quick question. Is it possible to use a cellphone camera adapter on the top tube where you put your camera instead of putting it on the eyepiece? I don't know if it will fit properly..! Thanks

[@ApexMark2002]

Yes, it's called a Gosky adapter, available on Amazon for very little money and it gives amazing results. I use it with an iPhone 12, and there's no comparison, given the very high quality of cellphone cameras and their features.

[@emmanuelblieck4826]

Which camera do you recommend for darkfield microscopy?

[@MicrobehunterMicroscopy]

well, many work. But because you might be working with low light, I recommend a DSLR because they have a better signal to noise ratio at low light.

[@emmanuelblieck4826]

@@MicrobehunterMicroscopy thank you 🙏☺

[@cade8986]

I just bought a microscope that came with one of these in 3.0 usb.

[@abdelkaderhanna5064]

Can i use a phone camera instead the usb camera !!!???

[@MicrobehunterMicroscopy]

Yes, if you hold the phone in front of the eyepiece. it's called afocal photogrphy.

[@starsoffyre]

Oh! I have this exact same microscope cam

[@Taxxpy]

Nice :)

[@bendirval3612]

I don't trust USB cameras of any type. After several bad experiences, I've realized the companies that make them tend to go out of business or change technology and not support the software side. A few years after buying, you can't get them to do anything because you can't get the software or it doesn't work. I prefer a dSRL, which I always know I can get images and videos out of.

[@MicrobehunterMicroscopy]

Many of these cameras do not support UVC. Therefore you need a special software to use the camera. UVC would allow you to use the camera like a webcam (you can use any program, without the need to install a driver). It would be better if these cameras had UVC.

[@MemoriesRR]

Thank you.

[@davidlue3082]

is this camera able to magnify? if not how to get same picture as 20x eyelens?

[@jamskillet]

I’ll admit the stellar microscope is pretty amazing for an entry level but the camera is utter bullshit and I’m pretty fucking annoyed I spent nearly $500 on swiftcam. They lie about their frame rate. I’m getting 2.6 fps and my PC is about $10k 😂. I’m returning this garbage and getting a camera adapter.

[@bahramshahnazar2489]

Hii

[@jesperandersson6798]

Wanderfull

[@THATHATSALLFOLKS]

23.2

[@AdrianOleksiewicz]

Hayear HDMI cameras are better and cheaper

[@cinematic35]

These don't have any quality! Just hook up a 4K video camera to your scope and you'll get great images and video! I get 24 megapixel images and 4K that brings out all the detail!

[@aminabengalla7471]

Hi, please could explain to me you have used ? [e-mail]

[@cinematic35]

I don't understand you question.

[@CreativeCat333]

Why do you always soubd like United nations translator? 😂😂😂

[@kingsleyjon]

:)

[@RobBob555]

Toupview SUCKS ..won't recognise my Svbony 105 camera, it works with EVERY other software 🤷🙄