Amateur Photomicroscopy

[Helix]

I went to the Nikon Small World exhibit at a local lab where I happened to work this summer, and I found it to be amazing. Especially since some of the pictures are done with low magnifications, easily do-able by amateurs (read: me).

 

So, I did some preliminary research and most techniques sounded fairly involved, which is obviously to be expected. But one said that placing any ol' disposable to the eyepeice and taking a picture would produce a decent picture...obviously I'm skeptical. At least there should be a buffer tube over the lens and the eyepeice to eliminate excess light, right?

 

So if anyone knows if that would work (I highly doubt it) or what woul work, I would appreciate knowing.

[ecoli]

AFAIK, it would kind of work... I've done the same with with binoculars before... but as you say, there is the light problem, and the camera doesn't create a seal around th eyepiece, so your not going to get a full picture.

[Helix]

That's what I thought. So, would a camera and a buffer work, or is it more involved? I saw an article in an old Amatuer Biologist column that used a camcorder and a biffer to take video, so a camera and a buffer should work for pictures.

[insane_alien]

should be fine. i got my webcam hooked up to my telescope the same way. just need some clear sky now.

[Helix]

Very nice, thanks for the advice.