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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bronwen | "Maybe also: type of light source, image size/resolution, any relevant sample treatment/preparation/suspension. This might not be exactly the rubri..." | Read more » | over 6 years ago | |||
| liz | "Perhaps someone is familiar with the metadata captured by commercial microscopes? Off the top of my head, i'd start brainstorming: date who capt..." | Read more » | over 6 years ago | |||
| stevie | "@kgradow1 what's your best recommendation now based on things you've tried? " | Read more » | over 6 years ago | |||
| kgradow1 | "The cost of all of them actually vary a lot. We took a 40x apart at the barnraising and realized it only has two lenses inside of it, which seemed..." | Read more » | over 6 years ago | |||
| stevie | "hmm maybe we could get 1 or 2 10xes. Any idea why the cost on the 10x ones here vary so much? http://www.amscope.com/accessories/objective.html?i_m..." | Read more » | over 6 years ago | |||
| kgradow1 | "I'd love to work through a build at 4x or 10x, which should a much simpler in terms of onboarding and just learning how to use the scope. At those..." | Read more » | over 6 years ago | |||
| stevie | "ok great! we'll start with the 40x thanks! " | Read more » | over 6 years ago | |||
| kgradow1 | "Do you mean which magnification? Either 40x or 100x are good. I think the 40x is slightly easier to start with, since it's easier to find your m..." | Read more » | over 6 years ago | |||
| stevie | "Hi @kgradow1 wondering which lens you would recommend for a starter kit for imaging some of the PM materials we've been speaking about? " | Read more » | over 6 years ago | |||
| kgradow1 | "40x for $22: http://www.amscope.com/40x-achromatic-microscope-objective.html 100x for $31: http://www.amscope.com/100x-achromatic-microscope-oil-..." | Read more » | over 6 years ago | |||
| stevie | "One idea from @dswenson that came from the open call yesterday was to use materials like sticky yellow flytraps like these " | Read more » | over 6 years ago | |||
| warren | "Here's one for $40 -- would it work? https://www.amazon.com/OMAX-Achromatic-Compound-Microscope-Objective/dp/B00FG8BC62/ Here's a 100x one for $25..." | Read more » | over 6 years ago | |||
| kgradow1 | "We haven't tested a wide range of objectives -- that would be a great next step for this project " | Read more » | over 6 years ago | |||
| kgradow1 | "We got ours from Amscope: http://www.amscope.com/4x-100x-four-achromatic-objective-lens-set.html#product_tabs_description_tabbed. 20mm RMS-thread..." | Read more » | over 6 years ago | |||
| warren | "@bmela @kgradow1 @wmacfarl is this already listed in the activities you posted? I just wanted a place to list links and prices and options. Thanks! " | Read more » | over 6 years ago | |||
| stevie | "When we were in WI @gretchengehrke, @mathew, and I were visiting some friends and we took a sample from a window at their house. The house window w..." | Read more » | over 6 years ago |