Celestron 4050 Microscope/LOMO P-111 Microscope

afpn86 · Guest

What is the best mircoscope and microscope accessories to buy for a beginning child of 13. Would like one that is reliable and easy to set-up and use.
Thank you,
Anne.

Jne_K · Site Admin Joined: 24 Sep 2003 Posts: 5401

Hi

For a serious compound microscope, look for a model with both coarse and fine focus, built-in illumination, light control via an iris and condensor and a mechanical stage. A minimum here would be the Celestron 4050.

If you need to keep the budget down and/or don't have access to power, a model with a mirror is acceptable, but insist on a model with a fine focus control. It is very difficult to use high powers on a microscope without a fine focus. A great choice in a budget microscope is the LOMO P-111. The LOMO P-111 sells for less than $100, but it has absolutely nothing in common with other microscopes in its price range. It is a Russian (not Chinese) made stripped down research grade microscope without a binocular head, mechanical stage, built-in illumination, or oil objective. However, it does have dual focusing, an iris light control like an expensive model and it uses the same high quality eyepieces and objectives as much more expensive LOMO microscopes. Best of all, it can be upgraded at a later date with illumination, mechanical stage and oil objectives - something you cannot do with microscopes costing many times this price. It is priced low only because we purchased this model in bulk from LOMO in Russia. This is easily the best buy in a beginner's microscope on the market.

For a good slide set, try the Meade.
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