Microscopes

Recommended microscope specifications for use in the soil biology context (from the Microscope Intensive Course):

Binocular Microscope: it's highly recommended that you get a trinocular microscope to connect a camera to your computer; this allows you to take images and videos from your microscope through your computer
Adjustable Eyepieces: you should be able to adjust the distance of your eyepieces
Adjustable Focus for your eyepieces: at least one of the eyepieces needs to be adjustable to focus on the slide
Adjustable Headpiece (this is optional)
Objective Lenses: 4x, 10, 40x, 100x (note: 100x will be rarely be used, most work is done done using the 40x lens
Stage Lever: to hold your slide
Stage Control: used whenever to move to another field of the slide
Light Source: LED bulb recommended
Dimmer: allows light adjustment
Condenser/Condenser Knob: to focus the illumination of the light
Iris diaphragm: used in shadowing to maximise the resolution of the slide
Coarse Focus/Fine Focus: to adjust the stage when focusing on the slide

For use in mycology (and especially for the identification of fungi by their spores), we have the additional requirement of:

Recommendations