digital cameras

[Murray Fletcher]

Neil,

I have been using an Agfa ePhoto 1680 camera to take photos under a microscope. Some of the results can be
seen at http://www.agric.nsw.gov.au/Hort/ascu/cicadell/ecokey23.htm. The photo of I. nitidulus was taken
with a standard pentax camera while the one of I. clypealis both on this page and on the linked pages were
taken with the Agfa. I find the camera simple to use although there is no way of actually attaching the
camera to the microscope so the photos are just taken down the lens of the phototube. This is hardly ideal
but the results are perfectly fine for my needs. I have also used it down the ocular of a compound
microscope with satisfactory results.

The camera is designed for field use and has a number of features that make it highly adaptable such as
interchangeable memory cards, a variety of flash options, zoom function and a range of resolution
capabilities. At the highest resolution (1680-1200) I can fit about 15 photos on the card but I can take up
to 80 photos on the lowest resolution (307x something) although images at this resolution can't be used for
anything other than a memory jog I suppose.

The camera is not suitable for photographing small objects that are too bit to  fit under the lowest power
of the microscope (ie it doesn't have macro capabilities, nor the flexibility of changing lenses).

The major advantage is that the camera costs around $Aus1800 (roughly $US1200) which is significantly below
the digital cameras designed for microscope use. It is also very portable and comes with its own carry bag,
rechargeable batteries and battery recharger as well as direct power transformer for use in the lab.

Murray Fletcher

Dr. Neil Snow wrote:

> Does anyone have an expertise with digital cameras?
>
> I hope to purchase one in the near future that will have good close-up
> capabilites (e.g., photographing type specimens) but which will also
> withstand the relative rigours of field use.
>
> Any comments regarding makers, what to beware of, etc., will be much
> appreciated.
>
> Please reply to me directly.
>
> Thanks,
> NS
>
>   ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>   Neil Snow, Ph.D. <nsnow at bentley.unco.edu>
>   Assistant Professor of Biology and Botany
>   Dept. Biological Sciences, Univ. of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO 80639
>
>   Neil Snow, Ph.D.
>   Assistant Professor of Biology and Botany                                 <nsnow at bentley.unco.edu>
>   Dept. Biological Sciences, Univ. of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO 80639
>                                                                             Netscape Conference Address
>   Additional Information:
>   Last Name  Snow, Ph.D.
>   First Name Neil
>   Version    2.1

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Dr Murray J. Fletcher
Agricultural Scientific Collections Unit
NSW Agriculture - OAI
Forest Road
ORANGE NSW 2800
Australia

Phone: 61-(0)2-63913943
Fax: 61-(0)2-63913899
Email: murray.fletcher at agric.nsw.gov.au

ASCU Website: http://www.agric.nsw.gov.au/Hort/ascu

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