Buying a microscope for yourself or a child can open up a whole new fascinating world within a world. A good basic microscope is not difficult to use (easier to use in fact than a video camera or recorder) and can provide tremendous fun as well as being educational.
A microscope supplier in your area will be able to explain in more detail the different types of microscopes, and the best choice depending on its purpose and your budget! As an indication of cost the author has included a guide price for each model type available in the UK at the time of writing (in January 1997 and includes a 17.5% UK purchase tax).
Unfortunately, you are unlikely to find a proper microscope sold in even the largest shopping centre or home shopping catalogue. The majority of toy microscopes are too small with poor mechanics and optics, difficult to use and may rapidly cause disappointment for the youngster, who may give up an otherwise fascinating interest.It is worth investing a little more for a simple good quality microscope which can provide many years of use. Proper microscopes, even the simplest, are heavier and larger for stability with good mechanics and optics.
A common failing of toy microscopes is that they often claim as a selling point high linear magnifications eg 500X and 1000X. A toy microscope is useless at these sort of magnifications. You need careful sample preparation, good optics and mechanics as well as specialised lighting to achieve quality images at these powers.
But the most important point is that the beginner does not need this sort of magnification. This is discussed later.
A number of companies have developed microscopes specially for the youngster that differ from the compound and stereo microscopes described below. These are no more expensive than a toy but will be a better buy. Note that these introductory microscopes use only one eye which can be a benefit for the very young who may not be able to adjust two eyepieces close enough together for satisfactory use.
microscope
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