#70 How to select a Binocular / Trinocular Microscope?
Вставка
- Опубліковано 4 сер 2016
- In this video, I explain the parts of binocular and trinocular microscopes including a camera. I sow you the important and not so important decisions you have to take if you want to purchase one.
I show you also mine and how I use it.
I got mine from here: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/3Zvr3vN
Microscope Shop: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/3VBmeEE
As always, I absolutely got or will get no sponsoring and paid the full price. - Наука та технологія
Many years later, this is still a very helpful video. Thank you, guy with the Swiss accent!
Glad it helped!
Thank you for making this video. I am in the process of equipping my home soldering station and I was contemplating the microscope option. You convinced me that it is worth buy and provided some good arguments for what is important. Great job!
You'r welcome. This was exactly my plan...
This video (or one with this information) is indispensable. It really helped me. I’m actually looking for a microscope to facilitate high-precision document restoration, including 1/100th mm ink dot transfer and paper fiber re-stitching, so an understanding of magnification, illumination, and working distance was vital. Great job and thank you
Glad it was helpful!
Great video. The summary of the more important factors was very helpful.
Glad you think so!
Andreas - thank you for your great video about workshop microscopes. It is full of useful information and definitely helps to make the right choice in buying one. Thanks once again, great job !
Glad it was helpful!
Great video! I am hooked on your informative and educational channel since I discovered it a week ago. I also enjoy the mailbag videos as you save me money ordering only the best parts from Aliexpress. Thank you very much! :)
Thanks for the feedback. Some more mailbox videos are in the loop...
I'm in the market for a bench scope as well. One thing I didn't think about until a friend bought his was the operation of the camera as when it is engaged the left eyepiece is no longer in play so if taking video or pix is important while you're working with both eyes a scope capable of doing so is important. Thanks for the tips, the market is as you say very confusing! Glad I found your channel.
You are welcome!
Andreas - thank you for the excellent advice. Your videos are always helpful and give great ideas. I bought a LuckZoom trinocular through Aliexpress. Ordering the stand, optics and LED ring separately reduced price by $90 compared with complete package. Also wanted particular stand with optics that don't require me to manually switch optics to enable camera. Parcels arrived well packaged within 10 days and I am extremely satisfied. Make sure you have enough space between optics and work surface to handle the soldering iron.
This became one of my most important instruments (the older I get ;-)
i'm always impressed by macromode on my phone's camera, and sometimes ponder using it to do magnified electronics work.
That is a cheap solution!
Very informative, thank you very much for making this video!
You're welcome!
great, quite informative stuff !! my question id how to deal with hand shaking at high magnification levels.. no-one has firm enough hands at such narrow / macro scale views .. there must be a guide or some sort of auxiliary support to work with.
The best video on UA-cam, period.
Thank you!
Thanks, Andreas! This video has a ton of really valuable information.
Glad you like it!
Very helpful and informative. Thank you!
You are welcome!
Thank you, Andreas, Just the explanation I was looking for!!
Glad it was helpful!
Hi Andreas, many thanks for this excellent video. I have been struggling to decide which one to buy and your criteria are very helpful. So, since I live in Swiss Romande I decided I would order from the same supplier as you. Delivery says it will be about 4 weeks so hopefully, all will go well.
Cordialement, John
Good. And if you use my link in the description you can support the channel without additional cost to you ;-)
Very good buyers guide to selecting a Binocular/ Trinocular Microscope. Thank you!
You are welcome!
Thank you Andreas. You're helping a ton.
You are welcome!
Merci für die detaillierten Erläuterungen und bis bald.
Bitte, gern geschehen!
Another great video, Andreas!
Thanks for the compliment. I appreciate it!
thank you very much for your explanations sir. It was very helpful. Have a nice afternoon :)
You are welcome!
My trinocular microscope arrived today and i am very happy with it, i ordered from ali after watching your video and it cost only about $250 including tax and shipping and it included the 3 lenses as well. This is SOOO much better than using a jeweler eyepiece and then have to bend my neck and keep my face 1 centimeter away from the solder joint. I am using the 0.5x Barlow lens at the bottom and get the entire range of magnification i need from the adjustment knob. Soldering with depth perception is truly amazing.
I just hope you will also make videos on some.. cheaper electrical engineering peripherals as i don't know how much more abuse can my savings account take, after being subscribed to you for some time now :)
The microscope is one of my most expensive tools. But it will last longer than I will. So it was a good investment...
What a nice video and demonstration, you saved me a lot of reading. Thank you
You are welcome!
Brilliant, informative, thank you👍
You are welcome. I hope, it helps some viewers to get to the right decision.
Vielen Dank Andreas für deine hilfreichen Tips zur richtigen Auswahl des Binoculars. Ich habe eines mit deinem Link bestellt, ging super. Das einzige das haperte war der kleine Netzadapter für die Beleuchtung wo die Stifte zu dick waren für die Schweizer Steckdosen. war aber kein großes Problem.
Bitte, gern geschehen...
I'm about to buy a binocular microscope for the new startupLab at our University and this Video was a great help. Thank You!
You are welcome!
very informative video. Thank you.
You are welcome!
Wow very well explained thank you
You are welcome!
Highly helpful & very very very important, essential thanks 5 star,5 yes for that.
Thank you!
Thank you for this very helpful information as I am currently in the decision process.
Glad the video helped!
Excellent video!!.. Thanks!
You are welcome!
Thanks for making this video. If you ever update it, would you please explain more about changing out eye pieces for acquiring higher magnification and also more on the barlow lense, such as where it is located, how to change, etc. I was looking to find out if I could purchase a low magnification low cost binocular scope, and purchase higher magnification eye pieces to get what I"m looking for, at a lower cost than purchasing a high magnification from the start. Any suggestions would be appreciated!
I checked and both are explained in the video. Maybe something to add: The Barlow lens is screwed in.
Nearly all stereo microscopes are supplied with 10X/20mm specified eyepieces. The "20mm" is what is known as FN (Field Number). Other commonly available eyepieces are the 15X/15mm and 20X/10mm (and possibly others).
.
The problem with greater magnification eyepieces is that as the magnification increases that the FN decreases which gives the impression as if you are looking at your subject through a tunnel (aka tunnel vision), which is not often practical when working on a PCB because you need to see what lies around your subject of interest.
.
You also make the presumption that "low magnification = low cost" which is not the case. For SMD work you will not need magnification greater than 20X, therefore greater magnification in electronics work is of no value.
.
Bigger or greater is not always better.
.
As for Barlow lenses for stereo microscopes. Available magnifications are 0.3X, 0.5X, 0.7X, 0.75X, 1.5X and 2.0X. For 95% of electronics work a 0.5X is most practical. Those who exclusively work on mobile phones might prefer 0.7X as it gives them a little extra magnification. While 1.5X and 2.0X are of little value if you need to "work under the microscope" as there is insufficient clearance between the optics and the subject of interest to get a tool into position.
.
So all you need for SMD/SMT electronics is a pair of 10X/20mm eyepieces, a 0.5X Barlow lens and a 0.7X - 4.5X stereo microscope head. Nothing more and nothing less.
Excellent video! Only point I was hoping you'd cover is what is meant by "semi-focal"? That option seems to add to the cost
I do not know what "semi-focal" is:-(
Thanks for sharing !
:-)
hi buddy nice info i like your home made solder fume extractor / filter
Thank you!
Hello Andreas, thnx for your videos, keep up the good job! Question regarding this microscope: there is no way to use both eyepieces when the camera is in use ?
The trinocolars have a third view only for the camera. The other two are for your eyes
I was confused because there are microscopes out there(look like trinocular ones) with camera view and stereo view but when camera is in use one of the eyepieces is blind.
For instance see this video: ua-cam.com/video/BWes99IWveY/v-deo.html.
I made some more research on the net and now it is clear to me that this is a "feature" to be carefully checked. Thanks for your answer.
Because it also has a price :-(
I'm in the process of buying a microscope, this is the explanation I was needing
:-)
Thank you
Very informative
Thank you!
and the final price in your configuration was? + custom + tax ? (super Video übrigens wieder - naja wie immer :-) )
btw. - your arguments sounds so familiar - did you have seen the video of Louis Rossmann about his microscope?
two weeks ago i got the chance at work to solder some 0201 by use of a microscope - it was not so difficult i thought (it was my first time)
Including camera about 900-1000$. Taxes cannot be avoided for such a large packet...
Hi, i bought binoculars microscope, but i m having problem with it. Problem is i can see through only one eyepiece at a time. If i m using right eyepiece then i cant see from left n if i use left then i cant see from right eyepiece. I tried to adjust suitable distance between eyes but then i see two seprate images from each side of the microscope. Pls suggest me what should i do ?
I hope, there is nothing wrong. But it took me a while to adjust this distance. The effects of a wrong distance sound like the ones you describe
Hi Andreas, Im just curious how come you bought the 14mpx big square blue camera rather than the 38mpx camera which is a $150+ cheaper.
Great videos by the way !
This is an old video. So things for sure have changed since then.
very helpful thanks you
You're welcome!
I notice you use a lot of Siglent Test equipment. Ive been looking at some of their test equipment. Id love to be able to buy them but they cost a fortune buying from Australia
Back then the price-performance was good. But this is 5 years ago…
Hi Andreas, thank you for sharing your precious knowledge!
Do you think it is possible to obtain 400x magnification via a trinocular microscope with parallel camera view, variable magnification and a heavy weight base ? My idea is to stream the camera view on a concert screen, while the subject shown would be subtly moving in sync with the music. Your advice would be very helpful 🙏
I do not know if you find trinoculars with such magnifications. Mine has only one below 10. More is not good for selectronics work. It is the domain of microscopes.
@@AndreasSpiess ok thank you for your answer !
Very helpful video!
Are you still using your AmScope from the video?
I am considering buying the AmScope SM745NTP matte black.
My trinocular was from a Chinese supplier and I still use it nearly every day. One of my best investments.
@@AndreasSpiess Ah okay, i thought it was an AmScope because it looked very similar.
Hello, I am thinking of buying one of these but I wonder what kind of picture you get when you try using sony camcorder which is apsc sensor? Is it vignetting(dark spot on the edges) or have focus issue? Thankyou
I never managed to get good pictures with the camera and gave up. As a binocular it is very good.
@@AndreasSpiess okay then, thanks a lot
Thanks for the link. Better than a magnifying lamp attached to my work bench on an articulating arm.
I use it nearly every day...
Thank you very much
You are welcome
Grüzi, just get my fyscope simul-focal trinocular microscope with 60fps camera last days (inspired by louis rossmann). My unboxing video (german) is nearly ready.
I am very interested in your camera because I think, this is the weak point in my setup...
+Andreas Spiess have a look at m.aliexpress.com/item-desc/32631069552.html
but also you can search for "microscope camera 60fps" on aliexpress.
I subscribed and I wait for your video
+Andreas Spiess Thanks, try to upload it next week.
Apropo, welche Hersteller liefert auch nach Österreich?
Bisher ich habe nur Preise in USD gefunden. Innerhalb der EU ist alles super-super teuer.
Aliexpress liefert weltweit. Mein Link sollte also funktionieren.
Grüsse aus den Tirol (ferienhalber)
I only do small projects so I don't want to spend so much for a microscope. I improvised by using my Redmi Note 8 Pro phone that can do macro shots. I use a lazypod to mount and orient the phone to however I want. It worked well for me.
Good idea! The new Smartphones have macros which are good for such purpose!
It seems this microscope was not loosing its focus when using the magnification, my similar stereo scope looses focus if I magnify more than just a little bit. So should they keep their focus during zooming?
Mine loses the focus, too. No big deal for me, I do not have to zoom often during one job.
would love to see your opinions on options in 2020
Not much different. They do not change a lot. I still use my binocular every day.
@@AndreasSpiess So it's mostly in the electronics for the camera that there might be something new to consider. Thanks for the advice and the recommendation.
Do you know about the difference of Relife rl-M3t and rl-M3t models, what model is the good
No.
Hi is your image blurry because of the camera or the microscope itself?
Because of the camera (or the distance between the camera and the microscope)
I think this will help those new to microscopes, as purchasing can be confusing!
I bought a nearly identical Amscope some years back and came to the same conclusions about magnification. I only use 20x when examining failed boards for flaws, otherwise 3-8x is my normal range.
One big advantage of the 0.5x Barlow lens is the increase in working distance... that is the distance between the lens and the board. That 0.5x doubles the working distance which makes it a lot easier to get your soldering iron in there, etc.
I started out with an identical double sliding arm base, but I was so constricted on bench space that I bought an articulating arm. I see that your supplier sells an identical model.
I found that the holes in the arm match up with Panavise tools, so I got another arm to use for holding the boards.
You can see the articulating arm here: ua-cam.com/video/ftUMTMOrycA/v-deo.html
Looking forward to the next video!
I thin, the articulating arm can be a good alternative. I did not cover it because I have no experience. So, thanks for your comment!
Good Video.
Thanks!
Make sure to get a simul focus Trinocular Microscope. This allows you to then buy an HDMI camera for use in future projects. Good video right now I have a $10 tasco Microscope which is getting ridiculous to use. Kappace also makes great Microscopes many better than Amscope.
I think I have one. But so far I was not able to get the focus right.
@@AndreasSpiess The Camera Also has go have autofocus. I am buying the Koppace Microscope with the 21 mp HDMI camera. It's about $699 US and it blows away the Amscope.
That is what I thought, too and I tried. But somehow I did not manage. Maybe I will give it another try...
Thank you.
You're welcome!
Merci vielmals für's Video! Habe soeben bei Cindy bestellt. Bin mal gespannt wann es ankommt.
Sollte schnell kommen...
@@AndreasSpiess Es ging schnell! Ist heute schon angekommen. Bin soweit zufrieden, nur das Einblickverhalten der Okulare ist für mich nicht ganz optimal. Kannst Du evtl. noch andere empfehlen?
Bei mir war das Übungssache. Nach ein paar Tagen ging es gut.
@@AndreasSpiess So ist es wohl. Man muss halt relativ genau den richtigen Augenabstand treffen. Habe gerade mal etwas drunter gelötet. Ist überhaupt kein Vergleich zur Lupenlampe. Der dreidimensionale Eindruck hilft enorm und die optische Qualtität ist für den Preis wirklich beachtlich. Sogar der Zoom ist einigermaßen parfokal in Verbindung mit der 0.5er Barlowlinse. Also vielen Dank nochmal für das gute Video!
Thanks Andreas! Did you consider attaching a regular good webcam, probably stripped off its lens ?
Since I upgraded from an endoscope to a ~150€ microscope, I really miss raw, straight screenshots on my computer (I have to swap SD cards)
For those interested on a lower-end review : www.oz4.us/2016/02/a-valuable-tool-andonstar-usb-microscope.html
It is not easy to find the right lenses that the picture is sharp and full size. I assume a webcam would need a special optics.
@@AndreasSpiess yes probably. Surely someone went through the hassle already. Some scope camera seem to feature an USB video link, in addition to HDMI and/or SD card video writing.
I often do live debugging through an online chat with some colleagues, and really lack the live screenshots! Thanks for your reply!
Great video Andreas.
Thank you!
@Andreas Spiess I need to get one for my bench. I have some personal electronics that can't be fixed by eye and there's no access to one in my area.
@@jstro-hobbytech I use my binocular every day ;-)
@Andreas Spiess I'm going to try to fix the item once more then I'm putting it on the back burner for a while. I think I'm gonna start a channel Andreas. Hopefully my ideas are attractive to other makers and electronics hobbyists. It's mostly to help locals people I teach at the the non-profit makerspace but I plan to have a dew other videos using unique ideas. I figure it will help my communications skills and hopefully provide some relief to my symptoms and fears related to having complex ptst.
@@jstro-hobbytech Good luck with your channel. It will for sure be a learning experience!
Got mine today and hurt my back when trying to lift the box. But I'm very happy with it, although it is quite large.
You will see weight is a good thing in this case (especially if you turn it).
Because of own bad experience with a cheap USB thingy, and also other advice - i would have expected that 'working distance' should be added to the criteria for selection of such a device? I saw microscopes which looked quite similar to yours, with only 10cm working distance to the object - that would probably be not enough for me operating with a solder iron below that...
I mentioned the working distance, but was probably not explicit enough. It depends also on the magnification factor. If I go with the 2x barlow lens instead of the 0.5x, the working distance is much reduced (to only a few centimeters). This is why I was quite clear that you should only have a small magnification factor. But I did not mention the relation on the distance.
Ok; so what is the actual working distance which you feel comfortable with, or which you would recommend as your minimum?
Btw, like your videos - including the accent! :-)
Mine has close to 20 cm which is comfortable, bot not necessary. II think, if you go below 10 cm it becomes difficult. If it is more, it might get uncomfortable because of the distance between your eyes and your hands (The eyepieces also move up with the distance)
Danke!
100% swiss made!
I appreciate your support!
Andreas,
You stated in a previous post that you own a "Eatkins or so with autofocus" camera.
Would you kindly be a little more specific because Eatkins has several camera models based on different sensors.
I'm trying to decide on which camera to buy and this is proving a more difficult decision than the decision for what microscope with options (stand, barlow lens, etc) to buy.
For my budget I believe a camera with the Sony IMX236 sensor is a sensible decision. Possibly the Sony IMX290
sensor which is a little more expensive because it is more sensitive to light.
I am way out of my league to make an informed decision so I am trying to see what cameras other people are using and gauging their level of satisfaction.
I put the links to my camera and lens into the previous post
Danke!
Vielen Dank für den Support!
there are cameras that can give excellent quality picture and motion for soldering electronics. question is which is better, microscope or pure camera?
You are right with the cameras. But none is 3D. Which is very important for soldering.
@@AndreasSpiess thank you I find your reply very helpful. It makes sense why many repair electronics technicians still prefer to use a microscope, it is to get the sense of 3D environment. I will keep this in mind.
I wanted to say that with Andreas' recommendation and praise of the Aliexpress seller Micoptical represented by "Cindy" I decided buy the the same rig as Andreas. The only difference being that the factory in China that manufacturers 90% of this microscope head have released a "new model". The obvious difference between the two is that old model uses a 28mm thread on the Trinocular port, while the new model has a "38mm flange interface".
.
So countless messages went back and forth between myself and Cindy because I wanted to be 100% sure that the microscope head was the new model.
.
Today my 0.5X and 0.35X Trinocular lens adapter arrived from a different seller (because it was the cheapest on Aliexpress. I would have had less problems if I bought from Cindy who would have known what fitted). I was assured by Cindy that the microscope head was the "new model" which also meant that I paid more for the microscope.
.
The two Trinocular adapters that arrived today were 38mm interface (the new standard) but the microscope that Micoptical (Cindy) sent was the "old type" because it has the old 28mm thread interface.
.
When Andreas bought his microscope there was no issue of "old microscope head" and "new microscope head" so it was not possible to make these kind of mistakes.
.
Consequently "Cindy" from Micoptical has been on the receiving end of some very unflattering messages from a very upset customer.
.
This all comes down to poor communications which is what I have been accusing Cindy of. Consider that she uses language such as "old model" and "new model" (where new model comes with a premium price), where had she used language such as "28mm interface" Vs "38mm interface" in relation to the Trinocular port then there would have been ZERO problems.
.
Aliexpress is a minefield of poor communication. If you a lucky (such as Andreas) you wont step on those mines, but God help you if you do step on one of those mines.
.
So we'll see over the next few days days how Micoptical with Cindy at the helm will sort out a very pissed off customer.
.
Buying my microscope has not been a easy experience, but then I am a perfectionist and often expect nothing less than 100%.
Communication with Cindy continues to be very poor and extremely frustrating. She has agreed to exchange the microscope head she supplied for another model, but she cannot manage to answer simple questions such as ; "Will the model SZM45XT support a 0.35X trinocular adapter?". She often ignores my questions, where in addition I need to "read between the lines" in an effort to understand what she is really trying to say. Let me say that saying "Cindy communicates poorly" is an understatement. Cindy's communication is atrocious.
.
My problems began when I discovered that a 0.35X trinocular adapter was preferable to a 0.50X trinocular adapter because the 0.35X trinocular adapter produces a digital image similar in size as seen through the eyepieces. I discovered this through an incredible amount of online research from users of this family of microscopes from China, so
.
The advertising on Micoptical Aliexpress Store lacked all the important parameters (such as is trinocular port interface 28mm standard or 38mm standard). Therefore I was supplied with a microscope head that I would never had bought if I knew exactly what I was buying.
.
It appears (according to Cindy) that the stereo microscopes with 28mm trinocular ports do not support 0.35X trinocular adaptors (don't ask me why).
.
Using poor language such "new model" or "latest model" rather than being more specific I was lead to believe that the microscope head I was going to be supplied with is currently equivalent to Amscope's "new model", which just demonstrates what poor communication from China is like
.
Cindy could not even provide me with a legible return address (supplied address was a single text string all in lower case....FFS!). I put the address she supplied into Google Maps where Google Maps reports that I does not know of such an address.
.
So please be aware that there are inherent dangers when buying a microscope from China. Often there is nothing wrong with the actual equipment, but more to do with the lack of professionalism shown by the sellers.
.
I haven't lost any money so far, but I've expended a lot of time, frustration and effort. I haven't even taken the microscope out of the box because it is obvious that it was not what I wanted.
.
Much has to do with not being an easy customer. I often know what I want, know what is available on the market and very succinctly make the effort to get exactly what I want, so it frustrates me to no end when things go wrong.
.
I just wanted to share my experiences so that others have better experiences. Ultimately poor communications seems to be the root of all evil when buying on Aliexpress.
I am sorry for your bad experience. My trinocular works every day for years now. But I never managed to get a camera attached...
@@AndreasSpiess To say that your "trinocular" is working, but your camera isn't is a bit of a oxymoron. Perhaps it would have been more correct to say that your "binocular" is working very well, but very clearly your "trinocular" isn't working in the true sense of the word if the camera isn't working.
.
Without sounding disrespectful it would appear that you were happy to accept the trinocular port problems because 90% of the value for you comes from using the microscope as a binocular, so it has enormous value for you.
.
Myself I suffer from severe OCD combined with perfectionism (which incidentally doesn't mean I am clever) meant that I knew exactly what I wanted before I ordered. I knew what I wanted based on very careful research based on equipment other UA-camrs were using (Louis Rossmann, SDG Electronics, Yourself, etc). It appeared that those who were more successful with their microscope cameras was Louis Rossmann and SDG Electronics than yourself had a "newer" 38mm trinocular interface, while you had the older 28mm trinocular thread. Several UA-camrs (who used microscopes to create content) reported that 0.35X magnification produced better results than 0.5X magnification. It started to become apparent that the older microscope with 28mm interface (like yours) did not work with 0.35X magnification. So it became very obvious that the "newer" 38mm trinocular interface was the preferred option.
.
This is where the problems began. There was simply a breakdown of communication with Cindy and myself. Cindy would use language such as "older model" and "newer model" while I would have preferred "28mm Trinocular Interface" or "38mm Trinocular Interface" (I wasn't lying that I suffer extreme OCD!). For Cindy "old model" and "new model" did not mean the same thing that it did to me.
.
I often piss people off because I have a habit of "measuring distances between cities in micrometers".
.
Cindy was looking at the big picture while I was looking at things under a microscope.
.
So who was wrong? I simply consider it a misunderstanding.
Hesch mr grad tuusig Stund Forschigszit gspart. Merci viäu mau!!!
Gern geschehen!
Hello Andreas(your name sounds so greek). I want to buy one thing is i dont have to pay customs. Yours passed customs and you payed tax?
If its value is more than 60 CHF we have to pay VAT and also handling charge.
oh ok :)
Welches Mikroskop ist das ich hätte gerne das komplette System. Wie gross ist der vergrößerungsbereich.
Ich glaube ich habe einen Link in der Beschreibung. Du musst selbst nachsehen welche Vergrösserung es hat. Ich erinnere nicht nicht mehr. Für meine Arbeiten brauche ich eher kleine Vergrösserungen und da ist es perfekt.
Thank you very much for this very informative video. I would just like to ask why the quality of that camera above the microscope is "so bad" it seems to be out of focus, blurry, and not much quality. It looks to me like a decent camera from specs, I would really like to buy something similar for example on Aliexpress there are plenty of 38-megapixel cameras for microscope around +-100€ but if the footage will be like that it doesn't worth the money spend for me. In comparison, Great Scott has a video where he is comparing scopes and the most expensive one has an awesome and sharp image which is exactly what I would like to achieve. The price of that whole microscope including LCD screen and everything is much lower than this so it is a mystery for me why this footage looks so bad. The scope which is he showing is just a digital camera with lenses without any binocular so I don't want that, but the image quality is just awesome.
Thank you in advance for any information about this topic :)
It was a focus thing but I gave up and bought a standalone microscope camera for filming.
Came here following you comment on the channel of PCBreflux.
Your video and explanation is a lot more helpful compared to an unboxing, because I am in search for a relatively inexpensive microscope.
What was your final configuration? Just giving us the link for the online store is not very useful >_
There is no configuration, because the store in the link sold me a trinocular, a camera, lighting, and a camera objective. You find all the different bi- and trinoculars in the link. With the video you should be able to get what you want.
There are no part numbers on the items you have bought?
Sometimes there are huge differences even between different lens revisions.
This is why I am not the only one who is asking which lens/head combination you have bought.
From the link one can put together hundreds of different configurations, and not all of
them are good for SMD rework, especially when it comes to the working distance.
When the working distance between the bottom lens and the PCB is less than 20cm, one
simply no longer have physical space to put in a soldering iron at the right angle.
I have seen that even higher end microscopes do often have a short working distance,
because they are meant only for inspection but not for actual rework.
Any difference between simul focal vs trinocular microscopes?
I only have this one :-(
It is my understanding that with simu-focal, both camera and binocular views are available. Without simu-focal, camera view and monocular view is available; for example you will lose the right ocular view.
I could not afford those prices. I bought an endonstar on eBay. It uses the PC to display the image. Even full screen. Manual focus. Light illumination. Fantastic cheap choice. USB connection
I made a video about a USB microscope (#23). I think, it is a good solution if you are on a budget because the price difference is big!
I recently bought a USB endoscope for less than 10$ and was amazed about its quality. Even with that, you get decent magnification on a full screeen.
how much
You should find the links in the description
What is the difference between 0.5 lens and 0.7 lens
They offer different magnifications.
You show Amscopes in this video. These are also sold as Euromex in Europe.
Thank you for the info
Is it possible to attach a mobile phone to the camera port? It would be a shame not to reuse this tech everyone already owns. Also, it would be tremendously useful to have an app that stitched an image progressively, like the iphone panorama feature but in two dimensions.
With optics know-how it is for sure possible. Unfortunately I do not have this knowledge. But it would be a good idea...
Try looking for Dental loupes.
Also a good idea...
Sir. your base is backwards. It is why you can tip it over easily
It is very heavy, no worries.
ua-cam.com/video/ZOVLHBv-uHA/v-deo.html
this is the kailiwei brand, it's the good choice
only part that still confuses me is the magnification factors.
Less magnification is more for electronics work...
Andreas, I was wondering if any problems have developed with your microscope double boom arm over time?
.
I still haven't assembled my microscope stand, but what I see in these UA-cam video concern me a lot.
.
Do you think that such a modification as shown in the video might be required in the future?
.
AmScope Microscope Boom Modification
ua-cam.com/video/s_L5pXzBlc0/v-deo.html
.
New out of box boom arm failure after after only 10 full actuations.
ua-cam.com/video/HSC-vzMBR98/v-deo.html
.
Have Amscope finally fixed their boom arms?
ua-cam.com/video/ulZ0qX2u8nc/v-deo.html
.
I'm starting to form the opinion that a single boom arm might be a better choice than a double boom arm (when you consider this problem of soft boom metal that is damaged easily) since a single boom arm doesn't slide along the boom, but rather "pivots" out of the way. In hindsight with what I now know if I had to make the same decision today, I'd buy the single boom arm. Very difficult to make the right decision when you are learning. The ability to adjust the position of the microscope head is unnecessary when you can adjust the placement of subject of interest on the table. In other words, there is no need to be able to position the microscope head when you can position the item you are working on. I saw Louis Rossmann use his single boom arm microscope on his UA-cam videos where he "rotates" the microscope out of the way rather than "sliding" it out of the way. We live and learn.
.
I'm raising this issue because I did not know of this when I was buying my stereo microscope. So many people on UA-cam use this double boom arm microscope stand and none of them have ever raised the subject of poor metallurgy with regard to the quality of the boom arms.
.
Seriously people, buy the single boom arm instead of the double boom arm as the "sliding feature" is unnecessary, when you can position your job (such as a PCB) under the microscope. The only difference is "sliding" your microscope out of the way as opposed to "rotating" your head out of the way and yes with a double boom microscope you can "slide and rotate" out of the way at the same time, but do you really need this kind of functionality? I like to follow the KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) principle as it's much more reliable in the long run.
.
If you decide to buy the double boom arm you might have to undertake a retrofit project (replace the original boom arms with case hardened rods and high quality linear bearings) which will set you back an additional $100 USD.
I do not use this function. My boom is always fixed.
@@AndreasSpiess
.
In the future if the boom arm becomes problematic due to wear here are the "magic words" to search on Aliexpress for replacement parts. Initially I thought that I would need a machine shop to fabricate replacement parts, but it looks like the solution might lie in common off the shelf items which can be bought from Aliexpress. At least my research indicates this, but I could be wrong.
.
While I provided a URL to search for "linear bearing" on Aliexpress it has come to my attention that some people have been having quality issues with linear bearing bought on Aliexpress. Consequently the poor quality bearing fail (no longer round and smooth) and begin to damage (scratch) the case hardened shafts of the double boom arm, so it's probably safer not to "cheap out" on cheap Chinese linear bearing and buy something manufactured in the E.U. or U.S.A. of a trusted quality
.
Aliexpress -------> linear bearing
www.aliexpress.com/af/linear-bearing.html
.
Aliexpress -------> linear shaft
www.aliexpress.com/af/linear-shaft.html
.
Aliexpress -------> optical shaft
www.aliexpress.com/af/optical-shaft.html
.
Aliexpress -------> linear rail
www.aliexpress.com/af/linear-rail.html
.
In fact if you carefully study the video that I linked to you will discover the replacement rods are 20mm (dia) and 800mm long which were not machined as the original rod to include the groove. So just a "clean" rod (just cut and not machined) should do the trick as shown in the video.
.
A quick search on Aliexpress came up with what I believe would be a satisfactory replacement 2pcs boom arm (20mm X 800mm).
.
See: www.aliexpress.com/item/32265073673.html
.
I wrote earlier that I suffer from "extreme OCD combined with perfectionism" and here is a perfect example. My microscope boom stand is still unpacked in its original box and already I have found a solution to a problem I might have in the future. Quite obviously I am a hardcore nut job.
I wanted to caution everyone considering buying a 7X-45X trinocular microscope in 2020-2021.
.
Recently newer variants of microscope heads have appeared on the market which provide better outcomes/results from the CTV camera port. If the camera interface isn't important for you then you won't really be effected. On the other hand if "microphotography" is your thing you need to chose wisely.
.
What is very concerning is the poor language used by sellers on Aliexpress. They use words such as "new model" or "2020 model" which means nothing substantial. If you buy your microscope from a reputable "Western World Seller" such as Amscope then you wont have any problems. You can buy the identical high quality microscopes that Amscope sell from a seller on Aliexpress which come from the same factory, but given the kind of clusterfuck cross cultural boundaries that are transcended when doing business between east and west you have to know what you are doing.
.
The "litmus test" without getting into a technical discussion is to have your Aliexpress seller assure you that the microscope head will support a 0.35X CTV trinocular adapter (which also supports 0.5X). This "litmus test" is the same criteria as "putting a square peg into a round hole". As a "specification" it means nothing on its own, but as a "litmus test" support for a 0.35X CTV trinocular adapter. The older variant microscope heads do not support 0.35X CTV trinocular adaptors.
.
So why is having a 0.35X CTV trinocular adapter important on a 7X-45X trinocular microscope?
.
Ans: It provides the same F.O.V. (Field Of View) as seen through the eyepieces.
.
This is only important if you are interested in creating UA-cam content or other videos where camera performance matters.
.
I found this out the hard way by carefully studying the microscopes of UA-camrs who purchased their microscopes from reputable microscope suppliers such Amscope and applied this knowledge to Aliexpress sellers. By now I've become a "microscope expert" where I qualify to import microscopes from China and sell them on the local market.
.
Just be careful when buying a microscope in 2020/2021 and make sure you do your research carefully.
Thank you for sharing your experience!
The heavy base requirement can be solved by buying a 5 dollar C-clamp and clamp the microscope to the table.
You are right. If you have the space. I have drawers below my desk.
Why you are sounding like the Arnie Z?
He is my big brother ;-)
Hi, when you purchased the microscope did you feel satisfied that such device may have been made by prisoners in forced labor camps? Did you feel proud and superior knowing that the average wage of a chinese person is $70usd per month? Perhaps you wanted to give money to a communist regime - hrrrmm what accent is that your speaking in?