I got the following questions in response to one of our YouTube videos:
I want to start exploring microbes with a microscope but I just don't know how I can. Will I need a microscope with a x1000 magnification? Is that all I'll need? What kind of (cheap) microscope would you recommend?
National Optics makes high quality microscopes. From what I've read, it's worth it to spend the money on high quality optics. I decided on the MI-SP162 which is binocular (less eye strain) and is a nice, sturdy microscope with precision controls. I also paid extra for the Super High Contrast Objectives (ASC), and I'm very happy with the results.
You can see protoza with the 100x and 400x objectives, and even some paramecia with the 40x. I don't use the 1000x objective much because I don't like messing with the oil, but you need it to see bacteria. So far we've looked mostly at protoza which are more complex and interesting.
At first we got a microscope with a built-in camera but the resolution was low and the speed wasn't fast enough to take movies--the germs were just blurs. Now I just put a Canon digital camera (PowerShot SD800 IS) up to the eyepiece on a small tripod and that's how I take the movies. I works quite well.
