Linux and those digital micrscopes

[Bertilak]

I guess it's a stretch posting this question here, but wasn't able to get an answer in that big Linux thread or "The Shaved Penguins" social group, so here goes ...

Does anyone have any experience with digital microscopes and Linux?

I see http://www.proscopehr.net/ has a scope that claims to be supported under Linux using UVC (USB Video Class) drivers downloaded from https://linux-uvc.berlios.de/.

My kubuntu installation lists the following apps that support the UVC and presumably kubuntu has the driver support for them:

uvccapture
guvcview
luvcview​

So, anyone have experience? Any recommendations? Probably any UVC compliant scope would work.

P.S. I did Google for this. That's how I found that first link above. Unfortunately this is one of those things where Google mostly turns up links to:

• questions without answers.
• sites that offer to sell you the answer.
• other search engines. I'm not sure how these work but they seem to simply snatch your Google search criteria and run their own search. Just trolling for page hits, I guess.

That first one I have no problem with. After all, someday this post may be one of those links! The last two just make me want to hurt someone!

 

[aquilla]

id think itd just be a basic webcam so you should be fine, if you have a usb webcam you could get that working as a test, ive used my usb microscope with ubuntu and just used cheese webcam booth to view it.

 

[Bertilak]

id think itd just be a basic webcam so you should be fine, if you have a usb webcam you could get that working as a test, ive used my usb microscope with ubuntu and just used cheese webcam booth to view it.

Thanks. I don't have a webcam top try but your experience gives me enough confirmation that I'll get me one that advertises UVC compatibility.

What make/model do you have?

 

[aquilla]

mines this http://www.365astronomy.com/images/bresser-biolux-al-microscope-a.jpg
so not a dedicated usb, but id THINK theyd all just be a simple webcam base and then you shouldnt have a problem.

 

[Bertilak]

Looks like the more recent Linux distros will support *many* digital microscopes out of the box. The site I linked above for Linux drivers (https://linux-uvc.berlios.de/) says

Linux 2.6.26 and newer includes the Linux UVC driver natively. You will not need to download the driver sources manually unless you want to test a newer version or help with development.

Since my recently-installed Kubuntu has Linux kernel 2.6.31 I should be OK.

I read in one of the Amazon reviews that Celestron has a proprietary interface that is not supported by Linux and only works with their software but the berlios site lists about 178 different scopes that they support so that's quite a selection.

I kind of like this one, but it is expensive: http://www.amazon.com/BODELIN-ProSc...ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1265382131&sr=8-1. It is 2 mega-pixel and has a bunch of lens options.

 

[aquilla]

that certainly looks impressive, if you dont mind me asking what do you want it for?

 

[Bertilak]

that certainly looks impressive, if you dont mind me asking what do you want it for?

Wellll ......

I just liked the nice pictures I have seen of the edges on straights and wanted to look at the ones I hone myself -- just learning. I saw some digital scopes that cost only about $50 and figured they'd be fun for other things as well. I collect coins and it would be nice to get good pictures of them. I find I use the macro setting on my camera a lot but it doesn't really get me close enough in most cases.

As usual I look into these things and find myself drifting towards the high-end stuff. But in this case I think it might be wise to see how the prices go when more companies start coming out with 2mp scopes. I think there may not be much competition in that range yet. I did notice some big discounts on several 1.3mp scopes.

I'm in no rush. OK, maybe a little bit of a rush. I'll keep looking to see if there are any real bargains.

 

[aquilla]

you could try a method i used for an entire photography project in the mean time, it works suprisingly well, incase youre interested you take a cheap laser pen (like the £1 ones) break it open, you may need pliers, and snap off everything until youre left with the small lens, place that directly onto the camera of a camera phone (at the time i was using an n95 and just closed the lens cover to grip it in) a little tape cut into thin strips will hold it. its then just a case of moving it back and forward until what youre photographing is in focus and you may need some extra lighting, you can get some very close very good photographs with that set up, ill try to dig some up soon, might be of use to someone on a budget, like me

 

[aquilla]

these were from just before i got my n95, the yellow tinge is from the cheap maglite copy torch i used.
there of velcro, my eye and a fly, that one was fun to get in focus
ill stop hijacking this thread now, just thought the idea might be of use to someone.

 

[Bertilak]

Ingenuity strikes!

 

[StillShaving]

I have seen a similar hack using binocular lens. Something like what is shown here: http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Binocular-Hack-for-Digital-Camera/ Not as powerful as a microscope, but might good enough for some of the uses you have in mind.

 

[NorthALABeeKeep]

great video stillshaving! I'm gonna have to try it.

 

[Carnivore]

I've actually found that getting hardware to work under Linux is easier than the driver hell of Windows. I haven't done anything with Vista or 7, but I have no reason to believe that Microsoft has changed its driver policy.

What I'd do is just check the retailer's return policy. If it's not too bad, buy one and try it out.

Good luck!

 

[Speedwell68]

If you are using *ubuntu 10.04 it that microscope should work out of the box. Alternatively you could just use it in Windows on the Kubuntu desktop using Sun VirtualBox.