January 24 Through February 4—TUCSON, ARIZONA: Annual show
Welcome to the GemologyOnline.com Forum
A non-profit Forum for the exchange of gemological ideas
It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 7:19 am

All times are UTC - 4 hours




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 3 posts ] 
Author Message
 Post subject: GIA DL Scope Trinocular microscope photography
PostPosted: Sun Jul 17, 2016 12:36 am 
Offline
New to the Forum or The Quiet Type

Joined: Tue Mar 16, 2010 12:14 pm
Posts: 2
Location: Saratoga, CA
Has anybody set up the DLscope trinocular microscope for photomicrography? I have yet to buy a camera or adapter for it and would like to hear any experiences from other users of this microscope/

_________________
Ron Ringsrud
Colombian Emeralds
www.emeraldmine.com
www.emeraldpassion.com


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: GIA DL Scope Trinocular microscope photography
PostPosted: Wed Jul 20, 2016 7:18 am 
Offline
Platinum Member
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jan 02, 2007 8:20 pm
Posts: 2659
You need one of two adapters made for this scope.

This one:
http://store.gia.edu/Still_Camera_Adaptor_p/819006.htm

has what is probably a T mount which can be adapted to most any camera using a T mount adapter ring specific to the camera you are using. You adjust parfocality by sliding the black tube up and down and locking a thumbscrew where you find the in focus height. It has to be adjustable because the lens mount flange to sensor distance varies depending on the camera used.

The item currently lists as out of stock but Gaston at GIA will be able to tell you when they will be back in stock. They come from Shenzhen like almost everything else.

Another version they have, is intended for "video" cameras by which they really mean C mount cameras. This would be a potentially good alternative. This is because C mount microscope camera are getting much more economical to buy. They can connect either "digitally" using the USB port or they can be actual video camera which nowadays can be HDMI or S video or old fashion RCA connected. For a reasonable price you can get a C mount 8 or 10 megapixel "video" cam that you can leave permanently mounted on the scope. They are lighter than even mirrorless cameras and the focusing mount will thank you.

That adapter is this one:
http://store.gia.edu/Video_CCD_Camera_A ... 819005.htm

It shows in stock. You could use it with a camera like this one:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/14MP-TV-HDMI-US ... xySoJTS7TX

Which has HDMI for an intake screen so your clients can see what the scope is seeing and also USB to capture 14mp images.
You have to be careful buying these kind of cameras because they are so cheap. Make certain the seller will stand behind them. Try to get some user feedback from someone who has used the make and model you are looking at. This can be difficult.

Search ebay or Amazon for "C mount microscope camera" or 'C mount video camera"


If you want a "regular" camera you should use a mirrorless camera. These are lighter than DSLRs. Most stereo microscope focusing mounts cannot cope with the extra weight of a DSLR. The image circle projected by most stereos is on the small side and works better with a smaller sensor (than Full Frame which is wasted on almost all stereos except the best research grade ones). If you need to take high res pictures with high mp count you should use a macro lens or a Wild M400 or an Olympus MVX10 or a Nikon AZ100. The first two alternatives can be done for reasonable amounts of money. The second two start at $20K. You can convince yourself of this by looking into the objective lens of almost any stereo microscope and noting the diameter of the zoom tubes immediately behind the objective lens. (or they may BE the objective lens occasionally) The diameter is smaller than most camera lenses and the lenses on the above mentioned photoscopes. Greater diameter means greater aperture which is what determines resolution and affects sharpness.

The photoport on the GIA DL scope (presuming it is the one shown in the current webstore page) is specific to that scope and no other alternative is available for anything like a reasonable price. You would have to custom design or custom adapt things that are available which would cost more than the adapters from GIA which are rather reasonably priced.

I have been absolutely stunned by the quality of pictures I can take using my Samsung S6 smartphone. I have a twenty dollar gadget from china that bites the eyepiece and holds the camera. And a four dollar remote shutter release that talks to the smartphone and keeps you from having to poke it to snap the picture. It works GREAT with non trinoc scopes. You get a picture of exactly what you see through the ocular. I shot a stack of pictures and the smartphone figured out they were a stack ( I think , maybe it thinks they are duplicates)and stuck them all in a file with a stacking looking icon. Stuff is getting very kewl and smart.

If you want to take accurate pictures through a stereo scope you also should investigate "keystoning correction" in photoshop.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: GIA DL Scope Trinocular microscope photography
PostPosted: Thu Jul 21, 2016 8:24 pm 
Offline
Valued Contributor

Joined: Tue Apr 30, 2013 1:41 pm
Posts: 172
My coworker has this scope and I show it in my digital photomicrography article. http://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/summer ... emologists

This scope produced a nice image (I tested it with a canon 60d DSLR camera). The adapter GIA sells is for a pentax camera which most people will probably not be using. You will also need a t-mount adapter to attach to whatever camera brand you would plan to use.

_________________
Professional Gemologist and Microscopist

The views expressed here are the author's opinions and do not necessarily reflect those of the his employer.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 3 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 4 hours


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 9 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007 phpBB Group
Gemology Style ported to phpBB3 by Christian Bullock