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Gaurav - 30 Sep 2005 03:08 GMT

Hi
I would like to start microscopy as a new hobby. I have reasonable
knowledge about how to use a microscope and preparation of slides.

I will summarise my strengths, weaknesses and area of interest before I
pose my questions so that you might be able to help me better.

I know
1) How to make slides
2) Workings and usage of microscope
3) How to use a compound microscope

I don't know
1) Details around when to use which kind of Stain for example when
should I use Iodine or what I should use to see the DNA. I have only
prepared slides as tought in school manuals.

My Interests

1) I would like to start microscopy as a new hobby and would like to
see microbes such as protozoa, bacteria, algae etc.

My questions

1) Where can I buy a good microscope in New Delhi/India with power of
1000 to 1250 x
2) What all chemicals and stains do I require to start with
3) What all other apparatus do I need to do my work?
4) I would like to know some good book or links, which tell me how to
stain the DNA, protozoa etc and help me get started.
5) Some good books I should buy for microscopy and study of single
celle organisms.
6) Where can I get samples of algae penicillin etc?
7) What else do I need to know?

I would request please send me the mail for the same.

Thanks
Regards
Gaurav Verma

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GTO - 30 Sep 2005 03:26 GMT

Consider membership of the Yahoo group "Microscope". You will be able to
obtain all basic information you need to get started. You need a Yahoo ID,
which you can get from www.yahoo.com. The group's URL is
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/microscope/

This newsgroup (sci.techniques.microscopy) is more suitable for people who
have specific questions about all kinds of microscopy (not just compound
microscopy). Often, beginners are too many times just overwhelmed by the
flow of information in this newsgroup. In your case, the Yahoo group
mentioned above is more appropriate. Once you have specific questions, this
newsgroup will add value (especially for questions about the techniques used
in light microscopy, but not so much about what stains to use for DNA).

Gregor

> Hi
> I would like to start microscopy as a new hobby. I have reasonable
[quoted text clipped - 36 lines]
> Regards
> Gaurav Verma

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Kevin Cunningham - 30 Sep 2005 13:01 GMT

> Hi
> I would like to start microscopy as a new hobby. I have reasonable
[quoted text clipped - 36 lines]
> Regards
> Gaurav Verma

A few simple points. Buy a used, high quality microscope such as a Zeiss,
Leica, Nikon or Olympus. I'm sure there are dealers near you. Next don't
use the term "magnification" except to identify an objective. When I was
trained we were forbiden to use that term. It didn't hamper us at all.
Numerical aperature (NA) is the important term, mag means nothing.

Of course get a binocular that really makes a difference.

Thanks,

Kevin Cunningham
SMS

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Natural Science Forum / Physics / Optics / September 2005

Microscopy Hobby | Beginner | Information required