MICRO-VIDEO CAMERA

2/26/1998

BACKGROUND:

As we all know it is difficult to reach each student at their lab station to see that they understand the directions for laboratory activities using the microscope. How many times have we looked into a student's microscope only to find that they have been viewing an air bubble that they have mistaken for a microorganism? The micro-video camera is useful for introducing students to procedures with the microscope prior to their laboratory exercise.

HOW TO:

The micro-video camera attaches to the eyepiece of the microscope or stereoscope with an adapter that screws into the camera lens; the ring adapter is specific for your eyepiece size and attaches to the eyepiece with a thumb screw. The image is transferred to the television monitor with the camera cable. If you want to use a regular television you will need an adapter called an RF modulator that connects between the video camera and the television.

Most video cameras can be used for macroscopic viewing by changing lenses. You could focus the macro lens on the sea urchin as it is injected and sheds eggs or sperm. The camera can be used throughout the year for laboratory demonstrations. For example, it might be used to show the results of a test tube reaction or the behavior of a small organism in a classroom demonstration that you might conduct from the front of the room.

THE SETUP:

RECORDING YOUR MICROSCOPE IMAGES

1. You can record your observations if your television monitor is connected to a video recorder or VCR. Record specimen while viewing for later classroom use, record experiment results for class demonstrations, or record research results for independent projects or science fair presentations.

2. You can also use a video capture card or accessory that will bring the image directly into your computer. Images can be saved using the software that comes with the image capture accessory.

It is quite possible to purchase this equipment for department use and share with all classrooms. The equipment is quite portable, but that has advantages as well as disadvantages. You will need to secure equipment when not in use to protect your investment.

EQUIPMENT SOURCES

Apple computer - check out the 8500 PowerPC, it has AV capability built in.

For windows machines, try the Snappy image capture device that plugs into the parallel port, $199. Good only for stills, but does a great job. Accepts 'line' signal from variety of sources, including Camcorders (with patch cable), video cameras and VCRs.

True AV capability on a Windows machine requires a fast Pentium processor and an approximately $200 - 1000 video capture card.

MICROVIDEO CAMERAS & ACCESSORIES

Asian World CCTV - 1-800-396-2288

Video Cameras

B&W - budget, try the CC-5E, 'C' mount, about $140
B&W - try the CC-5 for about $200, good low light, better resolution, 'C' mount (used for a lot of the illustrations on these web pages)
Color - try the CC-7 for about $330, 'C' mount

Auto-iris Lenses for any of above

3.5mm, #AI-3.5, $100 wide angle
6mm, #AI-6.0, $100 normal
12mm, #AI-12.0, $100 telephoto
25mm, #AI-25.0, $130 moderate telephoto
50mm, #AI-50.0, $140 moderately high telephoto

Edmund Scientific 1-609-573-6259

Microscope adapters (microscope to 'C' mount')

microscope adapter, #C41,100, $46.50 (similar to illustration)
video 'C' mount to 'T' adapter for above, #C38,114, $36.50

Adjustable relay lens system, #C39,925, $230

Extension Tubes for close-up work on lenses 25mm or more.

5mm, #C3618, $15
10mm, #C3619, $15
15mm, #C3620, $20
50mm, #C3621, $22

Lenses, manual iris

8.5mm, #C39,087, $90
12.5mm, #C39,086, $165
16mm, #C39,085, $90
25mm, #C39,084, $105
50mm, #C39,083, $130

Monochrome camera

#C39,244 $440 (appears to be similar to CC-5 from AWCCTV for $200?)
Other B&W and color 'C' mount cameras available, $500 and up!

Panasonic

Radio Shack - needed only if going to a TV without 'line' inputs

RF Modulator, #15-1273A, $19.97 WARNING - discontinued product, not sold after August 96, do not have a replacement part number yet.

NOTE: most VCRs can accept line input and convert to standard RF output. In this case the cable comes from the video camera to the VCR and then to the TV set. You will have to tell the VCR that you are taking the video signal from the 'line' input instead of the standard antenna input. (button)

Wards Scientific

Carolina Biological Supply

If you have found a good source for above equipment, please let us know and we will include in above list.

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