Has anyone experimented with photo micrography?

[Linda and "Toby"]

I've been thinking about buying a microscope... I would love to take high quality images of the microscopic world with my Canon DSLR. Has anyone done this? Someone told me it's much easier (and cheaper) to do with a point and shoot digital camera because you can remove the eyepiece and fit the camera right on it. Any suggestions or advice?

[Christine & Camus]

I've never done it myself, however I work for a Physics professor and I know they have taken many pictures of samples under a microscope.  I'll ask a couple of the researchers for their thoughts and get back to you later today.

[Linda and "Toby"]

Thank you! It would be nice to know what they recommend for a "home" setup. :)

[Christine & Camus]

I talked to one of the researchers.  The lab uses a DSLR camera with no special mounting equipment.  They place the lens directly on the microscope and take the photo.  Here are a few photos taken of crystal samples they have made.

[Linda and "Toby"]

Nice! Do you know if they use an adaptor to connect the lens to the microscope?

[Christine & Camus]

No they don't use an adapter.  I thought it was amazing that they were able to get such great images by just putting the camera lens against the eye piece on the microscope. Kevin did mention it takes some getting use to (practice), but then just taking regular photos takes practice.

[Linda and "Toby"]

I had no idea it could be done that way. COOL! My sister has a nice microscope. Maybe I'll take my camera to her house and see if I can do it. 

[Christine & Camus]

You will have to share some of your photos with us...

[F, Calla & Luca]

But of course : )

[F, Calla & Luca]

Back in the day, there were expensive film cameras side mounted somehow on microscopes. The setup may have been like two headed microscopes. With some two people each had eyepieces across from one another but some had a eyepiece head on a side arm.

[Linda and "Toby"]

Interesting! I can see where it would be fun and beneficial for 2 people to be able to study something together under a microscope.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Oh yes, it was a great teaching tool for learning about biopsies etc. All the attending doctors in surgical pathology for instance had them and the residents would show things and learn.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Some references.

http://www.barrie-tao.com/microscope_photo.html

http://www.microscopyu.com/smallworld/gallery/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEYmRwklKBk

This last one is very easy, cheap and seems like fun.