> Garrett had some questions about microscopes for tracheal mite
> disections

When I was in Baton Rouge, John was using a neat gizmo -- some kind of
magnifying video camera -- that could be aimed at a comb and which would
then put a colour image image onto a computer or monitor.  It had enough
magnification that looking down into a cell to see varroa running around
and the immatures, the fecal spot, and all that stuff was easy and
obvious, even to someone with poor eyesight!  See
http://www.honeybeeworld.com/diary/2003/diary011003.htm for a picture of
the thing in use.

Seems to me that such equipmet is not expensive anymore and even that
something of this nature can be had from a hobby shop or kids'
scientific shop. Has anyone had any experience with these things and any
idea where to get them, or will a digital camera with macro features or
a webcam (maybe with a lens added) do the same thing when hooked up to a
TV or computer?

Since a fairly low magnification, but good depth of field is needed for
tracheal work -- a loupe can even be used by someone patient who has
acute vision --  it seems to me that such a setup would be excellent and
available to most of us.  The camera is one part, but the lighting will
be the second and very important part of makling this work.

Has anyone played around with this?

allen
http://www.honeybeeworld.com

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
-- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and  other info ---
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::