Microscopes

[gitchegumee]

I'm buying a new microscope and would appreciate any help with what to look for/stay away from. Any ideas?

[CoryTyson]

The type of scope you get really depends on what you need it for. If you just want to test viability, a simple monocular brightfield scope that can go magnify 20x or so will do. But if you need to spend alot of time at the scope counting get a stereoscope. If you are doing morphology, a stereoscope with phase contrast or DICT would be best. Do you want to take pictures? Get one with a video camera. It really depends on what you want to do.

Cory

[gitchegumee]

I will be using this microscope for doing yeast counts, viability assays, and gram staining, primarily.

[J. Dunson Todd]

we use a second hand compound microscope (two lens groups) 10x 40x and 100x are ideal objectives are ideal. We have a 90x and 15x eyepieces, but it works for gram staining. You might, like we did, find a second hand scope from a university. Brewing techniques Jan 1995 article does a good job describing what is necessary. You might find the article online.

[lijah]

try buying one used from a college in your area
It will be alot cheaper

good luck and cheers