Is it possible to get away with two microscopes?

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susbees

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Simply, if I buy a long-arm stereo microscope is there a sensible way to adapt it for ordinary bee dissection work, or does anyone sell a scope that has the bits for both (II and dissection)?
 
I have never used a long arm stereo, but I don't think there should be any problem in using it for bee dissection.

All a long arm stereo does is move the object further away from the stand which allows for the placing of equipment 9for example II stand lights micromanipulators etc) without hindrance.
Remove the equipment and you still have a stereo microscope, with plenty of room for the tin of wax with the embedded bee.
Could you expound on your concerns.
 
long arm stereo are fine for this work, we use them regularly
 
Is it possible to get away with two microscopes?

Reading the thread title, I would say it should be very easy!! Most manage with just the one!!

RAB
 
Is it possible to get away with two microscopes?

Reading the thread title, I would say it should be very easy!! Most manage with just the one!!

RAB
No, if you want to perform anatomical studiesof bees /acarine
detection. Then you need a stereo dissection microscope. If you want to do further diseases (Nosema, AFB EFB) then you need a copmpound microscope capable of x1000.
That makes two microscopes, then the question was if the stereo microscope was long reach (obtained for II work) would it also be suitable for anatomical/ acarine.
The answer is yes, so for anatomical / acarine /II AND Nosema, AFB EFB one can get away with two microscopes.
Ruary
 
No, if you want to perform anatomical studiesof bees /acarine
detection. Then you need a stereo dissection microscope. If you want to do further diseases (Nosema, AFB EFB) then you need a copmpound microscope capable of x1000.
That makes two microscopes, then the question was if the stereo microscope was long reach (obtained for II work) would it also be suitable for anatomical/ acarine.
The answer is yes, so for anatomical / acarine /II AND Nosema, AFB EFB one can get away with two microscopes.
Ruary

Thank you Ruary and Nic. I am part of our BKA II group so thought it would be most flexible to have my own long-arm stereo as I need to buy a stereo in any case. Any recs on makes/models beyond the Brunel offering?
 
Susbees,

By coincidence I was looking at past threads of microscope recommendations and the Brunel "advanced" was top choice.

I'm still working on SWMBO ;) hope to join the micro fraternity soon:)
 
Thank you Ruary and Nic. I am part of our BKA II group so thought it would be most flexible to have my own long-arm stereo as I need to buy a stereo in any case. Any recs on makes/models beyond the Brunel offering?
By the way are you sure you need a long arm stereo for II?
Ruary
 
Thank you Ruary and Nic. I am part of our BKA II group so thought it would be most flexible to have my own long-arm stereo as I need to buy a stereo in any case. Any recs on makes/models beyond the Brunel offering?

what exactly do you want and what is your budget?
 
By the way are you sure you need a long arm stereo for II?
Ruary

It's what we had on the course. Need the space to get the kit underneath and CO2 and syringe set-up all lined up, so I'd say yes.

Actually, thanks for that, got me to thinking and something like the Brunel BSR they say you can get the equipment on the base plate so possibly...

Nic, something around the £3-450, trinocular for photos/computer connection, good DOF. Separate cold light. Bee dissection and II.
 
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trino BSR is much more than that new, though there is a small saving to be had for their current ex demo one. Still quite allot of money compared with your desired budget. Loosing the trino head saves quite a bit of money. The BMS are a better fit to your budget and better value but not as good quality. Even the slightly cheaper IMX is not bad at all (I have had one for years now)

Kyowa SDZ TR PL Stereo Zoom secondhand would be at the bottom of your budget and is a good Japanese value scope. I use one regularly, a good workhorse. Just make sure the zoom is not stiff.

Nikon (and Olympus) do nice stereo that secondhand would get you a trino in your budget. I like my long arm Nikon SM trino and they are reasonably plentiful and have been made for years now. See SMZ (2) nowdays for modern equivalent. I think I paid 500 / 550 (hefty trino premium :(), boy is it heavy!!.

Every wants Trinos so you will always pay a substantial premium just for this feature. You may find you buy a stereo new or old and then add a long arm to it....as a long arm stereo trino is getting rarer to find!

Wild / Leica likely to out of budget.

thinking out of the box, Prior especially (but also Baker and Watson) do some lovely long arm stero scopes with fixed magnifications (generally 3 magnifications). These typically go from 30 pounds upto whatever they can get away with as a BIN on auction sites ;) but the killer is transport as they are heavy. If you can collect you can get an excellent on of these for 30 pounds perhaps upto 50. They are high quality and will get you going, allowing you to learn exactly what you might want to buy as premium later on.....with little outlay. They are then easily sold on or can for the start of your new microscope collection :cool:
 
I am sure that when Redmond demonstarted II at Gormanston, and at the Galtee bee breeders the microscope that he used was not a long arm stereo. I have just looked at Swienty web apge and their microscope (well above your budget) is not long arm either.

As regard trinoc, do you want to tkae photos or video's, for photos a trinoc is not absolutely necessary.

Ruary
 
just for newbies who don't know what the thread is about , they are talking in code

II is instrumental insemination of Queen Bees
 
Wow thanks Nic...bit of research to do there.

Hmm....the long arm bit came from us learning on set-ups with long arm scopes (and that Brunel try to sell them as a third scope for II). Hence the original Q. But it would seem sensible (for portability if nothing else) to consider trino straight stereos. The "third eye" is for digi stills and to plug in a laptop. It'll be a long time before we've the skill to make a Cobey-style vid (if ever)!
 
I have been keeping a eye on e*ay for a prior stereo.I got out bid at just under £80 twice :toetap05: might do a manual bid next time ;)

Nic

I have not seen any scopes going between £30 and £50 are these on E*ay
or another auction site ?
 
probably because I got them :) There is one on at 125 atm but I have bought Vickers, Watson and Prior long arm stereos all for modest amounts (sub 50), which allow me my long arm trino Nikon :cool: The killer is transport...so may be worth asking 2 or 3 of the ebay microscope dealers what they can get and collect...we sourced 20 Watson 70s for local beekeepers (Pollen / Nosema compounds) with cases and 4 lenses, good condenser etc for 35!

quick search of my deleted searches gave the first hit as

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120836436485&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:GB:1123

30 pounds plus 20 pounds P and P, 2 days ago! Two other recent ones I think went for 70 and 77

Echo what Ruary said, I often use an eyepiece for my images. I don't take many but use a eyepiece screwed to the filter element of an Nikon 4500 (4mp) that just goes down any eyepiece to take the 'snap'. Simple.
 
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Its all ways the same story for me.When i want something its never there!

Cheers i will keep a close eye on that site:)
 
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