Re: Coupler for Nikon D200 Digital SLR Camera on a Zeiss Axiovert 200

GTO wrote:
<snip>
Unfortunately, the D200 and other DSLRs, which are using a 1.5x cropping
factor compared to 35mm film, are not considered to be professional cameras
for photomicrography. They perform very well off the scope. But mounted to a
scope, they have their serious limitations

Yes, this is true. But if you are taking snapshots of phase, DIC, or
brightfield images where you have plenty of light, DSLRs can be a cheap
alternative, especially if you already have an F-mount or other SLR
type port on your scope already. For example, we use the F-mount port
on our Nikon TE2000 with Nikon D50 and it takes fine pictures. OK
pictures even with fluorescence images. Keep in mind that you can the
D50 body for about $500-$600.

such as no availability of
excellent adapters, vibrations, weight, slow focusing, clumsy SW support, no
Peltier cooling and hence offer just an average S/N.

Yes. But if you have a SLR port, vibration, weight, and slow focusing
(actually no focusing necessary) aren't big issues.

Any lab should not use this type of camera for photomicrography, unless one
considers salaries to be much more affordable than appropriate equipment.

Sometimes you just want some simple documentation of images to save on
your computer or print out to paste in your notebook. It takes no time
at all for one to slip out the removeable media and download it to your
hard drive. Frankly prosumer "photo album" software is often much
better at image organization than most "scientific" packages out there
IMHO.

There are many cons to using a DSLR. To preview the shot you need to be
looking down the viewfinder for 99% of the DSLRs out there (although
many have video output). You can get slight vibrations when your
shutter speed is close to the mechanical resonance of the camera due to
the shutter or prism slap (although higher end DSLR can lock the
prism). However if you have a DSLR already, and you have a SLR port,
decent amount of light, it can make for a decent photomicrophotography
set up.

-w

.

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