For Ellen Hornig,
I have always found Nikon gives the biggest bang for the buck
with stereomicrosopes, while Leitz (formerly Wild) scopes are the top
of the line. The Nikon SMZ series can be found through used equipment
dealers. You might, though, find that a high end student grade scope
from Olympus or Nikon does what you need with a lens adapter for a
Coolpix type camera. The student scopes sell new for around $1,200
each, so a used one could be fairly cheap, with the warning that
students tend to beat the hell out of these things, so a refurbished
one would be a must. I once helped someone teaching beekeeping in
Africa find a used, good student type scope from a dealer in Mass (for
artificial insemination of bees...). emailing the used equipment
dealers works best. you might even find one with a camera already.
You'll want one with built in lights and you'll need extra bulbs,
available from bulb specialty compaies, also online.
-Ellen Chernoff
--
Dr. Ellen Chernoff, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biology
IUPUI-Biology SL 360
723 W. Michigan St.
Indianapolis, IN 46202-5132
317-274