Help, they are eating all my bacteria

  • Thread starter Thread starter DarioC
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Bacteria Nikon
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the challenges and experiences of photographing microscopic life grown in a jar from backyard mulch. Participants share insights on the technical difficulties of capturing images through a microscope, including equipment considerations and lighting techniques.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes their experience using a Nikon microscope and a new Nikon D3100 camera to photograph microscopic organisms, noting the challenges faced without an adapter.
  • Another participant compliments the photograph taken, indicating appreciation for the effort involved.
  • The original poster reflects on the difficulties of the photo shoot, mentioning variables that made it challenging and expressing a desire to improve future attempts with better equipment and lighting.
  • There is a mention of the potential for capturing action shots of microorganisms using flash lighting techniques to achieve high shutter speeds.
  • A later reply emphasizes the enjoyment and learning that comes from experimental photography, highlighting the amusement derived from the process.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally share a sense of appreciation for the experimental process and the challenges involved, but there is no explicit consensus on the best methods or techniques for photographing microscopic life.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of their current setups and the potential for improvement with different equipment and techniques. There are also references to the unpredictable nature of the subjects being photographed.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in microscopy, photography, or experimental biology may find the discussion relevant and insightful.

DarioC
Messages
254
Reaction score
19
A while back we were discussing the microscopic life that I had grown in a jar from a sample from my backyard mulch pile. I was enjoying using a nice surplus Nikon microscope from UC Davis, CA to check out all the different creatures that were coming to life in the material in a jar with some clean water.

Someone asked me if I could take a photo and I couldn't because I didn't have an adequate camera. Just recently having bought a nice new Nikon D3100 I wanted to try it with the microscope but the least expensive adapter I could find was $95. Hesitation on that one.

So I just put the camera on a pretty nice tripod that I have from my old film shooting days and lined it up with the microscope eyepiece as well as possible.

If I can get the attachment function to work for me here is the result.
 

Attachments

  • Elaphonema crop 006.jpg
    Elaphonema crop 006.jpg
    13.2 KB · Views: 619
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: 1 person
Biology news on Phys.org
Great picture!
 
Thanks. Everything was up in the air (literally in this case) on that shot. I've been doing photography for 60 years and that was probably the most difficult photo I have ever taken. Too many variables, several changing at the same time. Some concern of damaging either the camera or the scope was involved too.

Proved it could be done that way, but next time it will be with an adapter.

I'm sure I can get better lighting, color, and contrast with some cross lighting and a better setup. Those little guys do not like to hold still very long; no wonder the photos online are not very good.

Real challenge would be to get a stopped action shot of the little "sweepers" on their head that they use for sucking in food. I think we may be talking of getting a flash to work thru the condenser to provide enough light at a high shutter speed.

Meantime a second bunch of those little dudes are taking over my other sample jar. Chuckle.

DC
 
That's so nice. It's nice to know that something you have tried is very amusing and yeah experiments starts there. You get to know so many things when results started to become visible.
 

Similar threads

What are the tiny, fast-moving life forms in my yard and mulch pile?
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
4K
Designing a digital eyepiece camera
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
5K