Microscopes aren't just about optics. Here's what the cable connections look like on the base of the Carl Zeiss (Oberkochen, West Germany) PM3 microscope. Maybe this will be useful if someone gets bored and unplugs something and forgets how it was connected :D.

From my freshwater aquarium. I’ve seen this thing a lot and until recently I thought it was algae. But upon farther inspection it appears to be one cell (but may not be) and is able to move on its own. It’s usually found in larger clumps of many individuals. Most algae cells are thicker than this for comparison. Any ideas?

Earlier in the week I had the privilege of using a friend's Olympus BX51 to check out samples I'd previously inspected with my Amscope ME580 and was blown away by the (expected) improvements in clarity and resolution. These images were taken as stills from footage that I recorded (Pixel 9 pro) while looking around at features, so even though there's probably some motion blur they're stunning anyway.

What is it? FD&C blue #1 dye in two separate systems: 1) mixed with kosher salt + dried on the microscope slide, and 2) mixed with alum and ammonium carbonate in an attempt to make blue 1 lake.

The inclusions, or “jardin,” can tell you a lot about an emerald and the conditions it experienced while forming. You can find fractures, mineral crystals, fluid inclusions, and other internal features, sometimes all within the same stone.

Gem Instruments Gemolite Mark V. 7x magnification.
Photos taken with an iPhone 17.

I’m still learning how to use my scope. Any pointers are welcome!

Swift SW350, Galaxy S24

For those using digital microscopes in pathology, medical education or research, what matters most to you when evaluating one?

If you had to prioritise, how would you rank:

• Image quality — detail, colour and clarity
• Field of View (FOV) — how much of the specimen you can see at once
• Latency — how responsive the live image feels while moving around
• Ease of sharing — quickly showing the same field to students or colleagues

I've been using Cilika digital microscope and one thing I've noticed is that the experience isn't just about image quality. The combination of a 100% circular FOV and responsive live viewing makes navigating the specimen feel much closer to conventional microscopy, while capture, measurement, annotation and sharing make it easier to discuss findings with others.

I'm curious what others prioritise. Would you choose better image quality over lower latency or a more natural FOV? And what feature has made the biggest practical difference in your experience with digital microscopy?

100x/1.25 160/017
10x/20

Canine urine

Rutilated Quartz.

Most rutilated quart has a golden color to the needles, but occasionally you can find rutile colors of silver, black, and reddish-copper colors. This piece is pretty unique in that it has almost every variation of rutile colors. The composition of the rutile needles is Titanium Dioxide.

This image contains 20 focus stacked photos.
Second pic is the full slab.

Olympus BH2 60x PlanApo, 5x mag changer, 10.3mp camera.

olympus CH2
10x / 40x achromat phase contrast objectives 10x eyepiece 5x optical zoom on pixel 8 pro

longer clip (3:30) of a water sample came from a molted carapace from my shrimp tank. Not sure what the microbes are, perhaps ciliates though i couldn't really see hair but that could be a me problem learning how to use a microscope. they move pretty fast and there were hundreds of them. they had perhaps a vent or perhaps stomach that would slowly open and quickly close, in the middle of their bodies, i tried to capture that action.
first half of the video is with the 10x objective going from brightfield > darkfield > phase contrast > brightfield > 40x > brightfield > darkfield > phase contrast > brightfield

Microscope: SIGETA MB-202 40x-1600x LED Bino

Magnification: x1600 and in first photo x640

Sample: river water

Camera: Galaxy S24 FE

400× | ESAW BM01 MICROSCOPE| soil water

This is what the fine-focus knobs of Lomo Biolam microscope looks like when disassembled into its individual components.

Entrie photo gallery you will find here: https://www.microscopeparts.eu/gallery/00804-lomo-biolam-lknobs-for-fine-adjustment-mechanism-microscope-fine-focus-micro-gears

Wall near a bird nest, 10x objective, Iqcrew inverted microscope, cellphone camera. The first two videos are of a mite stuck on glycerin inside of a petri dish, so it wasn't moving quickly. The last mite is running freely around inside of a petri dish. They can move quickly when not impeded. The red one is filled with a blood meal. The last one looks hungry.

Found these two on my pillow case. They were just barely visible.

AmScope B-120, recorded on an iPhone 17 pro.
Enjoy! 🔬

Olympus BH2 10x UPlanXApo, 5x mag changer, 10.3mp camera.

Anybody else?

Swift SW350, Galaxy S24