In the past, looking at a specimen through a microscope is done one-by-one.  Students, for instance, would have their individual microscopes and slides and if they would want to see other students’ slides for the purpose of discussion, they would have to move around the room, peek into another’s microscope one after the other.  The disadvantage here was that the classroom discussion could not focus on just one specimen, since the students could not possibly have exactly the same specimens.  Professors would normally just bring previously captured photos of specific slides to be able to show a specimen all-at-once to the class.

With advancing technology, this is not the case anymore.  Such situation could indeed be a lot better, leading to improved learning.  Recent innovation brings about digital eyepiece cameras which are capable of capturing videos directly from the microscope and storing them as files in a computer.  In general, these eyepiece cameras can work in any type of microscope.

How to Use an Eye Piece Camera

1.    The eyepiece camera must be attached to the eye tube of the microscope.  It can fit most monocular, binocular, and even stereomicroscopes.  It perfectly matches all kinds of optical microscopes as there is usually an adapter included, which is designed for 23 mm and 30 mm tubes.
2.    Image must be taken at the ocular port, making a separate port for photo unnecessary.
3.    The metal body of the camera must be stable and well-grounded to ensure lack of any interference.
4.    It is directly connected to the USB port and image may be viewed from the camera screen which is about 18mm in diameter.  Windows 98 or higher is required.
5.    Additional software may be installed which is intended for cell counting and measurement of size.
6.    Capturing of image is through VFW and Twain Interface.  To archive the image, data is attached.
7.    Appearance of pseudo-color and segmentation operations is supported by the application.
8.    Image of specimen is displayed on the computer screen for everyone to see.
9.    The advanced version of the software allows for basic manipulation of the specimen image.
10.    PowerPoint functions may also be applied.

The images captured may even be sent through the internet.  These images are normally bright and sharp, including the periphery of the view.  Colors are high in quality and do not deviate from the actual color of the sample or specimen.

There are so-called RCA versions which may be connected to the video-in socket of a television or VCR.  This version is comparatively lower in price but may have some limitations in terms of adjustments in sharpness of image, saturation, and color.  These aspects are easily manipulated when the camera is connected to a computer.  Otherwise, the image will just appear as it is.

From the eyepiece to the computer screen, that is essentially what an eyepiece camera does.  This makes discussion of microscopic specimen much easier.  On top of these, most models of eyepiece cameras also work as a stand-alone camera.

Before purchasing, it is best to check on what is compatible with the computer’s system.  It is generally easy to make eye piece cameras work but if the system does not match, it will not work at all.  There are various models available in the market but the method of use is essentially the same.  Most of them are user-friendly and quite easy to navigate.

These can easily be bought online; there are even second-hand units available.  However, there has to be enough lead time when ordering.  At the same time, all specifications must be clearly laid down at the very start.  Some, due to lack of inquiry, end up buying a mismatched unit.  Price starts at around 60 USD and goes up depending on features.

Sony, in particular, offers eye piece cameras.  The 6MP SONY CCD digital microscope eye piece camera utilizes 6 mega pixels of color sensor.  The interface is through high-speed USB 2.0.  It is designed to work as a stand-alone camera thus, there is no need to connect to a capture card.  Its software is multifunctional in terms of control which is enhanced to ensure optimization of acquisition.  Resolution is outstanding and is most ideal for non-moving objects.

This is indeed one great recent innovation and a lot of people will benefit from it.  Eye piece cameras are most ideal for students, professors, scientists, research engineers, or anyone engaged in work involving use of microscopes.  Discussions become more convenient and clearer as illustrations are vivid and precise. Original article