Dear Ellen Ch. - thanks so much for the information. I'm coming to the conclusion that I should start with something really inexpensive to see just how interested I am, as my object is pretty much to play, not to conduct research or take great photos. One correspondent wrote privately to suggest I investigate acquiring (or making) a webcam microscope. From what I'm finding on the web, this is a fairly effective and extremely inexpensive way to get a good look at small things. I also can't help thinking I could have a lot of fun showing my grandson things, too - though judging from his reserved approach to salamanders, I may be overoptimistic. Don't know why he feels that way about salamanders...I can't keep my hands off them. Artificial insemination of bees....who knew? Warm regards, Ellen H. On Sat, Feb 8, 2014 at 6:28 PM, Chernoff, Ellen A. G. <echernof@iupui.edu>wrote: > 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 > > _______________________________________________ > pbs mailing list > pbs@lists.ibiblio.org > http://pacificbulbsociety.org/list.php > http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/ > -- Ellen Hornig 212 Grafton St Shrewsbury MA 01545 508-925-5147