An Un-Christmas Present

If Humpty Dumpty could have un-birthday presents I decided I could buy myself an un-Christmas present.  Regular readers may remember when I experimented with a video camera fixed (bodged) to a microscope. Some results were  reasonably good, especially the video captures. On the whole I was disappointed with the clarity of some still captures. The problems were - having a camera with a relatively low pixel count coupled with the losses converting the feed through a USB connection on the laptop.

What was needed was a decent camera coupled to a microscope. Recently I saw two different microscopes advertised which include the facility to couple a mobile phone so its camera could be used. In the end I chose the National Geographic one. I did wonder about the quality of the optics and how robust the build quality would be at the price of £80.

This is the beast:

 

 

One item is now fitted which is not part of the original package - I found that the cross table which wouldn't fit my other microscopes was a perfect fit on this one. That makes it much easier to position a slide in just the right place or track a moving specimen.



Build quality is pretty good and solid. The three objective lenses (4x, 10x and 40x) seem to be of decent quality as are the two eyepiece lenses (10x and 16x) and the 2x Barlow lens. There is a choice of lighting from above or below. The only part to watch when in use is the phone holder. That is a platform covered in suction pads to hold the phone in place. I nearly had one disaster with that when the iPod I was trying out slid off.  I found a solution, for my iPhone at least. It so happens I have it fitted with a magnetic back cover which is used to hold it in the phone case I use. I also have some powerful neodymium magnets. One under the plastic platform keeps the phone securely in place.

 

The phone only sees a smallish circular image but this can be digitally zoomed by its camera app. Though this will lose some definition it is not too much of a problem as the phone camera is 12M pixels.

Along with the microscope there are a few sample slides so here are some trial photos using the new set up.

This is the standard view without digital zoom


The hairy leg of a house fly:
80x optical magnification


200x magnification


800x magnification


Cross section of pine wood






I'm looking forward to taking some new videos of microscopic pond / water life.

Fish and Chips

Paid my regular visit to the Wagon and Horses in South Reston to meet up with D.
It was more than a bit breezy while driving there.
Twice I had to manoeuvre round fallen branches on the narrow back roads.



 

As always it was for a glass of J2O orange and a fish and chip lunch.



As ever the haddock was cooked to perfection in a light batter and accompanied by home made chips. Neither of us like mushy peas but with the fish overhanging the plate it was a very filling meal. An enjoyable way to meet and exchange news and gossip.

Hot Lips

A month or so ago I first spotted a pretty plant on our early morning walk-about.
It has unusual small white flowers with bright red lips.
I've tried several times to photograph it without success.

After a search or two I found out what it is:
A Salvia with the common name 'Hot Lips'.
I thought to myself, 'That is a must have.'

A search of eBay brought up some plug plants from my favourite plug plant seller;

The original listing on eBay:

 

Today they arrived:

 

When we returned from our mid-afternoon walk I set about potting them up:



They are classed as half hardy but should be able to survive all but the harshest winters.
For now they are in the greenhouse while they get established.

Bird Photography in Comfort

Left to right - top to bottom:

Set up a video camera to watch some bird feeders I had moved closer to greenery at the bottom of the garden.

Watch for any visitors on a monitor whilst listening to the radio.

Camera, set up in the kitchen, focussed on the feeders with wireless shutter control fitted. Sit in comfy chair in the warmth ready to press the button on the transmitter if and when anything comes to feed.

Monday Montage

Last week's WidsMob Montage modified photo was



which started out as



Wilma correctly saying it was a seed head with Adrian, Bettina, ragged Robin and The Weaver of grass identifying it as a dandelion. Sometimes known as a dandelion clock.



For your puzzlement this week I present a montage photo of



what?

If you would like to have  guess please leave it in the comments.
They will be revealed, along with the original photo, next Monday.

All That Glows ....

.... isn't necessarily on fire:



This is a thermal view of my air conditioning unit acting as a heat pump to extract heat from the outside air (presently at 9.3C) and keeping the room nice and warm. So, not a photo of a heating element glowing but showing the temperature of the warm air being blown out by the unit. This time I have set the Seek thermal camera to give a spot temperature reading.

There are many times I prefer to use the air-con for heating rather than the gas fire. It has thermostatic control and can be remotely controlled unlike the gas fire. It only needs to be on its low setting and the maximum energy used is around 500W, averaging about 300W.

A Sleeping Hot Dog

First play with my new toy





A thermal imaging camera which plugs in iPhone or iPod



Resolution is 206 x 158 pixels. Temperature detection range -40C to 626C