What brand or features should I look for in a microscope for studying bugs?

Question

My daughter who is in 9th grade would like to be an Entomologist. I need suggestions on a manufacturer and which magnifications, I think I need a stereo Binocular. And other information or features would be helpful.

Answer 1

A good dissection microscope with magnification ranges from 5x to 40x is what you are looking for. Magnifications higher than 40x are useless for most work. Binocular microscopes are a must for intense study. One with its own light source is also a must. Unlike regular microscopes, the light source on a dissection microscope should shine above the specimen not underneath.

As to brands, most companies that work with optics (Olympus, Nikon, Leica, etc) also make microscopes. Just be warned, if you are thinking about a professional dissection microscope for your daughter, be ready to dish out anywhere from $500 to $2000 depending on the quality and features... shop around.

Answer 2

A microscope manufactured by one of the manufacturers mentioned in the above post will indeed cost you a lot of money. In fact, I doubt you could find one for less than $1,000, and their best quality stereoscopes will run several thousand dollars. However, you don't need a professional grade instrument for your purposes. There are many smaller, less well known manufacturers that produce good quality student stereomicroscopes for well under $500. Such names as Swift; Labomed; Accu-Scope; Steindorff; and others. You can find a good selection here:

http://www.microscopestore.com/

Just click on Stereomicroscopes - stereo configured.

The most important quality for study of insects and other opaque objects of equivalent size is a good 10x lens. One higher magnification in addition is very valuable. 30x or 40x is ideal. Less expensive scopes will have two separate lenses, and you can switch back and forth between them. For about twice the price you can get a zoom model, which smoothly zooms from 10x to 40x, offering a continuous range of magnifications between the two extremes. Lighting should be built in, and mounted above the specimen. Some stereoscopes have magnification above and below, which can be used separately or simultaneously. But for insects, minerals, shells, and other essentially opaque objects, lighting from below is of limited value and not worth the extra price.

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