Whilst most people are familiar with a microscope they probably think of peering down the lens to view prepared slides at magnifications of 100x or higher. However the more useful type of microscope for the naturalist and wildlife recorder is a 'stereo' or 'binocular' microscope. This type has two eyepiece lenses which you view with both eyes together. Think of binoculars - but with the stereo microscope bringing small creatures or samples into an amazing 3-D view.
The magnification is typically between x20 and x40 and you can view live invertebrates with no preparation needed. Other than the a very few groups with larger species, such as butterflies, moths and dragonflies, a stereo microscope is essential if you want to be able to identify many species.
The cost of a stereo microscope is surprisingly modest, similar a pair of binoculars. A good starter microscope will cost around £130 though of course you can pay more to get more features and higher quality. A common choice for many naturalists is a Brunel or a GX stereo microscope. These companies sometimes have good quality used microscopes available, so it is well worth phoning them for a chat to see what they can offer you:
Features to look for when choosing a stereo microscope:
- a magnification of x20 to x50
- inbuilt lighting (both from above and below)
- a zoom is a wonderful feature (but not essential if you are on a budget)
- a 'trinocular' microscope has a third turret where you can mount a camera
- lighting is key to a quality image so if possible invest in an LED ring light (check with the supplier that this can be fitted to your microscope)
Microscope ID Club email list: a great local supported learning group.