Build a Stereo-Zoom Microscope
Not strictly photography, but this project carries the Do It Yourself torch with such passion that I couldn’t let it go! Besides, if you decide to buid one of these, all you have to do is to add a photo camera to the end (it’s as easy as taking a compact camera and gaffer-taping it to the end of one of the eye-pieces), and you can use it for photography purposes!
A stereo-zoom microscope is a stereoscopic microscope in which the variation of magnification is continuous. The advantage is that you are able to adjust the magnification to suit yourself. You can pass gradually from one magnification to another, without losing sight of the sample. What makes this type of instrument astounding is that increasing the magnification will make it appear as though you are “diving into” the sample. The first time you do this, it will take your breath away.
This project allows you to fabricate, with your own hands, a high quality stereo-zoom microscope, an instrument very useful for observing natural samples. As a bonus, it will serve to instill in young people, as well as adults, an interest in biology. The cost of this instrument is very low. But that is not the only reason to build it, in fact you can also find pleasure in doing mechanical and optical constructions. Finally, to show to your friends a stereoscopic microscope, what’s more provided with a zoom, made by your own hands, is something of which you will be proud.
Convinced? You should be. Now, Let’s build a Stereo-Zoom microscope!
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