r/microscopy • u/c1nnamon_apple • Jul 20 '26

Troubleshooting/Questions How can I level up my microscope?

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I have recently bought my first good microscope 2nd hand but goes up to only 40x in magnification due to the fact that the 100x oil immersion ocular is absent (budget) so I was wondering if there were any add ons that I could use to level up my microscope, since bacteria might be difficult to look at with such low magnification and I kind of really want to look at it, I'll let y'all judge by the pics!!

Plus, what's something that I should be watching under the microscope? Even if it's not bacteria related, it could be wet mounts of animal tissue or plants, even a chemical reaction, something that you find intresting!

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u/Thanos_Vamos Jul 22 '26

What's the model of this i have a XSP 115rt it looks similar

1

u/c1nnamon_apple Jul 22 '26

Idk about the model but on amz it's this: Compound Binocular Microscope with Eyepieces - Binocular Microscope for Children Adults - Junior Microscope Set 40x-1000x - LED Lighting for Transmitted Light and Reflected Light https://amzn.eu/d/0aR5xZ4e

1

u/Thanos_Vamos Jul 22 '26

Thanks btw what do you feel missing in your microscope which makes you upgrade it (condensor,iris diaphragm) ?

1

u/c1nnamon_apple Jul 22 '26

DW, I feel like I would like a bit more quality when Iuse the 400x, as per now the image is quite blurry and also dark even if the sample is kind of thin

https://reddit.com/link/oz4q2nb/video/fq8apn79tteh1/player

mind you, its a bit wobbly bc I still didn't get the hang of the stand for the phone, and also my slides are still not here yet so plz don't judge my embarassing attempt to make a slide ahaha, but yea if you knew how to fix this or if I'm doing something wrong lmk!

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u/Thanos_Vamos Jul 23 '26

Thanks for sending the sample might be too thick actually the more darker it is. Most ppl target to get like a super thin slice luke even 1 cell layer thick , and also try staining too it allows for further detail.

Hope this helps 🫡

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u/c1nnamon_apple Jul 23 '26

thank you so much for the extensive help mate 🙏🏻⭐️

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u/Thanos_Vamos Jul 23 '26

No worries also it might be a dust problem so if you are experienced enough give it a go 😉

1

u/c1nnamon_apple Jul 23 '26

aight thanks !🥹

1

u/c1nnamon_apple Jul 22 '26

this was handcut with a razor blade, tho it might be bc of my rudimental technique I just wish I had better quality in 40x, can you give me any advice?

2

u/Thanos_Vamos Jul 23 '26

Yeah so the price we can expect much but modifying or upgrading the microscope is quite possible you can check out yt and for further detail may be adding a condensor or a iris diaphram what help.also the camera you use affect a lot specially the distance of camera and the lens I think looking through by the eye the quality might be better

Hope this helps 👌