When expensive Microscopes DISAPPOINT 🔬

When a better microscope does not lead to a better microscopy experience.
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#microbehunter #biology #microscope

[@hobbyzom]

Sounds like the Motic B1 Trinocular I purchased. Constant problems, no company off the shelf parts for simple things like camera adaptation, no reply from Motic or any of the online sellers when I tried to contact them. The slide holder lifts the slide out of focus as you move it on the platform while viewing. Very thin metal on the holder. The condenser screw (only has one) shifts the light output off axis if you tighten it. No koehler illumination with a fixed LED. God forbid you want to add phase contrast...... big $$$ and no one will be able to find a set - again the company cannot reply to a simple email. I bought a second hand Olympus BH2 and have never been happier. Unfortunately I never was able to return the Motic as it sat unused for a long time while I tried to source a BH2 in Australia.

[@jaimetorres950]

Thanks for the information. Everything looks so pretty on the Swift, Amscope, Omega, Motic webpages... until you buy it!

[@vivekminj3836]

@@jaimetorres950 any idea on omax microscope?

[@jaimetorres950]

@@vivekminj3836 Nope. I just bought a Swift 380t, hopefully it will arrive in about 10 days.

[@waggawaggaful]

The fact that the higher the magnification, the more unstable the visual information and the more precarious your ability to capture that information, has some sort of profound meaning to it. If photons are always the same at any scale regardless of the observer, why would the type of equipment and technique even matter? I'm excited to start using a microscope to get more insight into how light works in addition to viewing things at smaller scales.

[@BalaHormiga]

I have a rather large collection of microscopes. They range from rather basic models to high end research models, both compound and stereo. Over the years I have sold many microscopes on E-bay and have recently been reducing my collection, primarily, because I am preparing to re-locate to Costa Rica. I will take a few of my preferred models. As mentioned in this video paying more does not necessarily mean you are getting better equipment, nor does it insure you have a better experience. I suggest reading, watching videos and participating in microscope forums before making your initial purchase. I generally favor older microscopes from the Big 4; Zeiss, Nikon, Olympus, Leica. They are generally built very solid and used parts are readily available on E-bay, when you are ready to upgrade to phase, polarized or fluorescent lighting etc. They do take a little bit more know how when adapting modern dslr cameras but help is available online! If used microscopes present a challenge then I suggest models purchased new from a local distributor.

[@lilarosa8357]

same here. i love my nikon research scope from the 80s. rock solid and stable as a tank ;-) added some phase contrast and a good adapter for my cam and thats it.

[@MarieChardome]

same here: went from cheap chinese straight to 8 olympus and 2 wild microscopes. just starting the discovery. the clarity struck me first, just in cre di ble. 1 wild and 1 olympus are metallurgical, just to learn. enough to fill the rest of my life with both observing and tech/refit 😍

[@DP-qb1zw]

I usually don't worry about hurting my expensive microscope when using it except I don't want to take a many thousands of dollars Nikon inverted microscope on my boat in a salt water environment. For that, I do use a cheap, expendable inverted microscope.

[@dls2684]

Great insight, “ultimately it’s the observation of nature”…that simple statement packs a lot power. Always enjoy your videos, keep up the great work!

[@osovagabundo1]

Planned obsolescence in microscopes too? Integrity in design and company culpability are factors

[@johnzarollin2749]

you're forget about advances and innovation in many fields of science. Material sciences, mathematics, computer applications, AI even. Not many Apple or Dell desktop computers around . Those were examples of planned obsolescence dolled out on a string of pearls.

[@DP-qb1zw]

​@johnzarollin2749 Actually, you can find 50 year old or older microscopes that work as well or better than newer ones. The mechanical quality peaked in the 40s through 60s and now have cheaper materials, fin finishes

[@DP-qb1zw]

​@johnzarollin2749 Actually, you can find 50 year old or older microscopes that work as well or better than newer ones. The mechanical quality peaked in the 40s through 60s and now have cheaper materials, and finishes

[@darek9754]

First of all I think you do not contradict yourself. Beginners probably shouldn't invest too much in the equipment, but - you are not a beginner. As a teacher and YT creator you're fully entitled to have the best microscopes available. On the other hand, my life experience regarding investments tells me something opposite to what you claim. My rule number one is that I have too little money to buy cheap things. Usually I spent as much money I can afford to get as good a tool as possible. For example woodworking - I have probably more quality tools as a hobbyist than some professionals do. So what? I have comfort of use, good quality of work and service readily available. No need to curse at a cheap Chinese saw that does everything but cutting. I am convinced it is a good approach as it has never let me down. Having better tools than I need feels somewhat preferable to having more needs than my tools can give. Your own experience seem to confirm my approach - I mean those 20 unbranded microscopes that you mentioned, purchased for your school. It was a total failure driven by lack of budget I guess. Should there be more money spent, the problem wouldn't have existed, right? I am writing this comment because your insights concern my situation as I acted actually against my above-mentioned rule. I've recently purchased a SW350T, triggered by the price lowered down to CAD 288. It is not bad microscope, I have already observed many interesting things, but I have to say that I am not quite satisfied with it. It was after the purchase when I started to learn about modern microscopy, to realize how much it has changed since I last touched a microscope at school in 1970's. Thanks to YT I could also see how much improvement regarding methods of lighting the object has been done, resulting in incredible quality of image. I cannot go anywhere near with my newly purchased Swift. Well, I've tried dark field and polarization right away, but that is all I can get from it. Besides, the camera port's optics are really bad, giving huge chromatic aberration, not visible through the eypieces. And it has no capability to use DIC or fluorescence techniques so now I am looking for a higher class microscope (and surely ten times more expensive - at least). I have a feeling that I want to take that journey to microcosmos on my own so I'm going to take part with these money :) Concluding - should I give my advice to any beginner like myself, it would be: if you're completely sure microscopy is what you wanna do, do your homework first - read books, check manufacturer's websites, do your research on equipment, techniques, to make sure you know what you're dealing with and what you want to achieve. And then - buy the best class of a microscope you can afford. All the best! I wish I had a teacher like you when I was a kid...

[@waggawaggaful]

I heard another youtuber claim that anything past $250 for a microscope has diminishing returns, and that $250 is about the sweet spot where you get the maximum quality for price exchange. It's like musical instruments or anything else. There are upright yamahas that sound better than concert steinways. Has something to do with marginal utility.

[@pranavgaminglegend506]

Hi microbehunter I have a binocular microscope and the sharp focus knob is not working which is making it really hard for me to get a sharp image on higher magnifications. Do you know any way that i can fix it without getting it to a repair centre

[@MicrobehunterMicroscopy]

very difficult to say, because it depends what the problem is. if the stage is always falling down, then you have to adjust the tension of the focus knobs. this is done differently for different microscopes

[@murtazabilal5618]

Hii Oliver can I use gylcrin to 100x objective because in my contary I only get natural immersion oil and they solidify 🙁🙁

[@MicrobehunterMicroscopy]

Never tried it, but here is a forum where they discuss this: www.photomacrography1.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=9694 Strictly speaking, the objective should be designed to be used for glycerine. Some are.

[@johnzarollin2749]

the objectives are designed around the immersion oil. Comparing photos between correct and incorrect IO for the objective shows less resolution and blurry photos. Similar to using incorrect slide cover slip thickness, i.e. 0.17mm.

[@murtazabilal5618]

Hi Oliver please answer my questions so what staines and chemical necessary in this hobby Hope u response thanks happy microb hunting

[@MicrobehunterMicroscopy]

Hello, actually staining is not necessary, as you can look at most specimens unstained. Staining also kills them. Staining is used mostly for identification. The wikipedia article has a nice list of stains (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Staining). But if you want to get stains, then I recommend Methlene Blue (Löffler's solution). This is a general purpose stain. You can also use the ink of a fountain pen to stain cells.

[@Trylobyte]

I do not want to buy a microscope that I have to throw away after 6 years of use! What a sickening waste -all the energy and resources used to make it, and the pollution from its manufacture and disposal.

[@lilarosa8357]

you may buy an elder research microscope from the 80s or 90s made by one of the big firms. in general they are stable, extensable and will not loose their value.

[@MicrobehunterMicroscopy]

The BH2 series microscopes from Olympus are very popular, among others. Maybe you can find some on ebay, but they are not cheap, due to the quality and maintainability.