Microscope features question

[Mrs. H]

I don't post here very often, but I've been poking around old threads on microscopes, and am hoping someone here may be able to answer a question I have.

 

I know folks usually recommend the Sonlight microscope, but I'd like to try to spend a little less. I've seen a few models on ebay that may work, but I'm going to have to sacrifice one or two desirable features to keep it affordable. So....I'm wondering just how important it is to have an iris diaphragm and abbe condenser (these to features seem to go together). I've decided that I'd rather not live without LED illumination and a mechanical stage, and am willing to give up coaxial focusing, but I can't figure out if an iris diaphragm is really necessary. What do you think?

 

TIA,

 

Sarah

[Tarheel Heather]

The diaphram is what controls the amount of light coming through. Depending on what your specimen is you may want more/ less light. I like to have control on the amount of light.

[Mrs. H]

Thank you. I understand that a disk diaphragm also provides light control, only without infinite adjustability. I guess what I'm wondering is whether having 6 light levels is enough. How necessary is is the greater control of the iris diaphragm?

[MGK]

I'm not a microscope expert, but I did research them pretty thoroughly this year, and I used one in college science classes. I think you will be fine with the disk diaphragm. The microscope recommended by Apologia has this, so I assume it would be adequate. I think the only "requirements" for high school sciences is that it be a compound microscope and have 400x power. A mechanical stage makes looking at slides much easier and more fun.