ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
*****************************************************************************

I used simple, compact, reliable 'Minicam TV' cameras
http://www.brunelmicroscopessecure.co.uk/acatalog/Digital_cameras_for_micros
copy.html#a713 for the microscope activities I produced for the XperiLAB
science truck in Belgium.
http://www.sciencesnaturelles.be/active/museumnews/xperilab

I also use one of these cameras for my Blown-up Biology lecture/show and
find it ideal. The output is 'composite video' (one of those little round
yellow sockets!) However, I previously used my ordinary Panasonic digital
video camcorder with a special adaptor to connect it to the microscope
eyepiece and it actually produced image quality that was at least as good as
the 'Minicam' when connected to my projector. An advantage of the camcorder
is the option of recording microscopic movies, of course. Eyepiece adaptors
are sold to fit all the common camcorder lens filter threads. I got mine
from Brunel Microscopes here in the UK (web link shown above). 

Of course you could instead connect a still-image digital camera to a
microscope eyepiece-holder, just as easily. Some of these have a video-out
connection that you could feed to your projector or video monitor. But be
careful, because not all of these will display a smoothly moving image. One
that I tried had a horribly slow refresh-rate.

You can adapt any of these cameras to fit on one of the angled
eyepiece-holders, after simply pulling out the loose eyepiece. Some
microscopes have a separate, vertical tube specially for holding a camera.
They don't make much difference optically, but allow you to look through the
microscope normally while the camera is fitted. Another practical advantage
I have found is that heavier cameras are better balanced when mounted
vertically. Eyepiece adaptors are a slightly loose fit and my camcorder
tended to show a slightly off-centre image when attached to a sloping
eyepiece.

These are all just practical hints based on my experience. Fine-tuning is
never-ending, but it is dead easy to get very acceptable results and
terrific fun. Try it!

Promoting public engagement with science
through a contagious delight in phenomena
*
[log in to unmask] * http://www.interactives.co.uk
*
http://uk.linkedin.com/pub/ian-russell/0/636/305
*
Give people facts and you feed their minds for an hour.
Awaken curiosity and they feed their own minds for a lifetime.
*
Ian Russell






=======
Email scanned by PC Tools - No viruses or spyware found.
(Email Guard: 9.0.0.898, Virus/Spyware Database: 6.18780)
http://www.pctools.com/
=======

***********************************************************************
For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.

Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at www.exhibitfiles.org.

The ISEN-ASTC-L email list is powered by LISTSERVR software from L-Soft. To learn more, visit
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html.

To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the
message  SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to
[log in to unmask]