MICROSCOPES
A Hobby
I don't know what it is that makes people collect stamps or coins, want to climb mountians or dive underwater, raise tropical fish or birds, observe the night sky or living organisms under a microscope. All I know is that a liking for something that becomes a hobby is very satisfying! Twenty years ago I bought a small telescope but observing the night sky in winter was unrewarding for me. I saw Mars, Venus, Jupiter and the 4 moons, Saturn with rings and moon mountians and craters. Earlier that year (1986) I bought 10X50 Bushnell Binoculars to view Halley's Comet, witch I tracked for several weeks. Other hobbys included tropical and marine aquariums (1972-1995), breeding Anglefish, raising Mallard and white ducks, quails (1981-2004) and breeding a pair of Cockatiels (1995-1998/18 young hatched). But nothing held my interest like a good microscope over the years!
My very first toy microscope, now lost through the years, was a simple plastic single power scope I probably got for Christmas before 1960.
By the time I was interested in it more I discovered my Cousin had a Gilbert 455-Power Advanced Microscope & Lab Set with 60X,150X,200X and 455X. (Left) I was allowed to borrow it for extended times. By Junior High School my interests changed and I forgot about the microscope. Then came Biology and the nice heavy duty lab microscopes we used as well as the pond protozoa we studied got me thinking about it again. By early 1970's I had several aquariums and once again "borrowed" my Cousin's microscope for about 10 years! The day came when his young boys wanted it back. It likely doesn't exist anymore. I missed having it. The unseen world was too amazing to ignore.
I went looking for a replacement.
I bought my first all metal microscope in 1982 for about $68 I believe. A Asanuma Zoom (Japan) with glass optics and a zoom eyepiece. The lowest power was 100X and it zoomed to 200X. Four separate ojectives up to 700X. Small viewing area and I missed the lower 60X I used so much. Still, it was nice to have and I have it under a glass dome for dust free display now. I continued to search for a cheaper model for just the low power. |
 Within a few years I found a Tasco zoom microscope with 50X-100X, 150X-300X and 450X-900X. Metal and plastic but glass optics and the lower power I used most.It turned out to be a geat deal of fun using and had a nice bright wider viewing area. I used it on and off when wondering what was living in various ponds, lakes and swamps. I grew millions of paramecium to feed to baby anglefish as well as hatching baby brine shrimp, also in the millions! I often looked at samples. My fish breeding stopped eventually and I drained my last aquarium in mid 90's. |
 While browsing through LiveScience.com for science news I found an ad for My First Lab Ultimate Microscope. Needless to say I now own one.So far I'm extremely satisfied with my new microscope! At $89.95 I consider it a steal. The digital video eyepiece was also $89.95 and added so much to the experience! With bulk slides and cover glasses ordered from Edmond Scientifics I can begin trying to prepare slides without worrying about running out. Saving video captures may be a lazy way out but I need to physically save samples that are interesting. I realize I could much more easily find books with pictures or images on the web with outstanding clarity of anything I could imagine looking at... but doing a hobby for yourself is very satisfying. I also ordered a USB digital video eyepiece. NOW I'm in the 21st century! |
Image of cope pod crustation "Cyclops" at 40X. (Feb 2006) Collected from pond behind my house.
I am considering collecting old microscopes. If you have an unused, unneeded old microscope you think I may be interested in please use the contact form at the bottom of the page to let me know. Even decent working old toy scopes or beginner models and student. Old slide sets and microscope accessories too. If you are interested in microscopes, microscopic pond life or collecting microscopes yourself also contact me!
Bees/Wasps - My Dog Friends |