The Basic Microscope Kit is an introductory Do-It-Yourself microscope made from affordable and easy to find parts. It's based on [the Hackteria microscope](https://publiclab.org/notes/partsandcrafts/10-26-2017/making-a-hackteria-microscope), the OpenFlexure Microscope, and @maxliboiron's work at http://CivicLaboratory.nl ( #13503 ), among other sources. (above image by @partsandcrafts) ## Goals This project was started as a collaboration between Public Lab and [Parts & Crafts](http://partsandcrafts.org). The goals of the project are: 1. offer a very easy starting point for DIY microscopy 2. act as a stepping-stone to more advanced DIY microscopes 3. be as affordable and simple as possible while still providing great microscopic images 4. be good enough to view 2-5 micron size particles (see [sample images below](#Sample+images)) ##About the parts ### General parts list * a lens (objective) * a [Raspberry Pi](/tag/raspberry-pi) * a [Raspberry Pi camera](/pi-camera) * a light source * a rigid stage to connect these all together ###Example parts list for building a Basic Microscope: * [Raspberry Pi camera](https://www.amazon.com/SainSmart-Camera-Module-Webcam-Raspberry/dp/B00FGKYHXA/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1516378086&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=raspberry+pi+camera&psc=1) * [Raspberry Pi Zero W](https://www.amazon.com/CanaKit-Raspberry-Wireless-Starter-Official/dp/B06XJQV162/) * [a micro SD card](https://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-MicroSDHC-SDSDQM-B35A-Without-Adapter/dp/B004ZIENBA/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8) * [a USB light](https://www.amazon.com/I-MU-Flexible-Gooseneck-Brightness-Gray-White/dp/B071Y3P8ZC/) * [a lens (objective x40)](http://www.amscope.com/40x-achromatic-microscope-objective.html) * [a hackteria microscope stage](https://publiclab.org/notes/partsandcrafts/01-22-2018/building-the-microscope-stage) (with modifications from Parts and Crafts!) * [a 3D printed objective adapter](https://github.com/rwb27/openflexure_microscope/blob/master/stl/optics_picam2_rms.stl) * the bolts to hold it together Extras to help you get started: * [Microscope slides](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008JFRP1K/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) * [A microscope stage calibration slide](http://www.amscope.com/microscope-stage-calibration-slide-for-usb-camera-0-01mm-stage-micrometer.html) * [Microscope Immersion Oil](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007PD4IZS/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A35BV4NHHC5J5C&psc=1) * Rubberbands * A magnet **** ## Getting started Start with the [Overview activity, here](/notes/partsandcrafts/11-26-2017/building-a-raspberry-pi-microscope). Then see [the activities below](#Activities) for each step in detail. _Basic Prototyping Kit now available for sale in the [Public Lab store](https://publiclab.myshopify.com/collections/under-development/products/basic-microscope-prototyping-kit-preorder?variant=7861722578972)!_ **** ## Questions [questions:basic-microscope]  ## Activities [activities:basic-microscope] ## Challenges We're working to refine and improve DIY spectrometry on a number of fronts; here, take a look at the leading challenges we're hoping to solve, and post your own. For now, we're using the Q&A feature, so just click "Ask a question" to post your own challenge. [questions:basic-microscope-challenge] **** ## People Folks involved in getting this project started include: [people:group:partsandcrafts] **** ## Sample images [](/system/images/photos/000/022/598/original/sample_1.jpg) [](/system/images/photos/000/022/597/original/sample_3.jpg) ...
| Author | Comment | Last activity | Moderation | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| jhondue123456 | "https://www.google.com/ " | Read more » | 8 months ago | |||
| georgegleed1 | "Hi, this looks like a great project and I'd love to try it out. The 3D file links appear to be dead and produce a database error. Any chance anyone..." | Read more » | about 3 years ago | |||
| fongvania | "I did this! " | Read more » | about 3 years ago | |||
| eureka_chen | "Getting someone else to cut the material on behalf of the laser is not costly if it is only once or twice. But once the number of times, then it is..." | Read more » | about 3 years ago | |||
| tyagiarti22 | "Hi, great project! I have a question, not exactly related to the raspberry pi microscope but I'm hoping you'd be able to help me out... I'm using a..." | Read more » | over 3 years ago | |||
| nashdracones | "Correct on the Cardboard Lens, I suspected the same after finding it very hard and expensive to get a openflexure tube lens. OpenLab has a scope t..." | Read more » | over 3 years ago | |||
| vishal_jv1511 | "awesome articles Please visit also -> Digital Marketing Institute in Jaipur seo training in jaipur " | Read more » | over 4 years ago | |||
| tapariayogesh | "What is the viewing angle of the camera lens? " | Read more » | almost 5 years ago | |||
| warren | "Obviously we love to see any improved 3d printed parts and would love to add to the design. Just so people know, we try to print these to be solid,..." | Read more » | about 5 years ago | |||
| warren | "Sadie, just curious, how does your adhere to the board? I love the little grippy bits that hold the lens itself! " | Read more » | about 5 years ago | |||
| warren | "Or try https://publiclab.github.io/infragram/ for a more up-to-date version of that webapp! " | Read more » | about 5 years ago | |||
| KathleenRobinson | "wao good to see these type of spy camera " | Read more » | over 5 years ago | |||
| warren | "Oh awesome! " | Read more » | over 5 years ago | |||
| SadiePrego | "Hey no problem! I actually made one myself which works pretty well - no tape needed, here's the file: Webcam_lens_adapter_v2.stl " | Read more » | over 5 years ago | |||
| warren | "Oh sorry! I misunderstood! Here, i've added that too now, but note that I believe I just found a standard m12 on thingiverse and resized it. So the..." | Read more » | over 5 years ago | |||
| SadiePrego | "Hey @warren the .stl file doesn't look like the 3D printed adapter in ur picture (screenshot below), it looks like it might be the adapter for the ..." | Read more » | over 5 years ago | |||
| SadiePrego | "thank u @warren! Going to try it out, unfortunately are makerbot doesnt take gcode which is a lil surprising but I guess cause its a newer model " | Read more » | over 5 years ago | |||
| delhinsim | "It's wow! https://www.nsim.in/digital-marketing-course-in-dubai/ " | Read more » | over 5 years ago | |||
| warren | "It's this one! https://github.com/publiclab/community-microscope/blob/master/lens-adapter.stl " | Read more » | over 5 years ago | |||
| warren | "Oh gosh, well it's not super nice, and i think we may literally just have crudely stretched them to make gcode, but, the original is here: https://..." | Read more » | over 5 years ago | |||
| SadiePrego | "@bronwen @warren is there any chance these files exist as STL? Thanks! " | Read more » | over 5 years ago | |||
| jenjimah | " Hi Warren, Sure I'd be happy to try to add that in, it's only 2 files that need to be updated after all. However before that, there are a few thin..." | Read more » | over 5 years ago | |||
| warren | " This is great! Indeed, this is a good approach, although I found that not all computers could use an internet gadget either without drivers, it's ..." | Read more » | over 5 years ago | |||
| jenjimah | "I did this! Hardware: Raspberry Pi Zero W Software: Raspbian Stretch Lite, Windows 10 (on PC) Connection: USB configured as ethernet device; SSH i..." | Read more » | over 5 years ago |