Here is a reward opportunity to subscribers who supported with KO-FI And who have donated $20 or more, prize draw ends on Saturday the 27th January 2024. Anyone who is on the KO-FI donate list at that point will have the opportunity to answer the question in the post following that and the 1st person to respond with the correct answers to that post will win the camera. So in other words those considering donating up till the 27th will also be included in the draw since a heads up for this opportunity is obviously required as well.
Here is the imager I purchased before I bought my new Full CCD imager now fitted on the Leica DM2000 microscope. It just did not do justice to the Leica which is now fitted up to some serious value, with all the upgrades and 3rd party objective lenses attached to it. I had to do the Leica justice by buying a camera that was more equal to the optical quality it provides and by enabling much higher video Frame Rates. This is however a pretty good camera, and is above the grade that many are currently using, It just isn’t as good as my much pricier Industrial BIGEYE camera in all fairness.
It also comes with a stage micrometer so you can calibrate ToupView and enable um measurements on screen with measuring tools just like me.
Images taken of blood samples using Fluorescein disodium dye and taken with the 5MP camera.
Above is video taken at descent frame rates of swab solution using the 5MP giveaway camera.
The camera is the same as an OMAX/AMSCOPE 5MP product. This is an unbranded Chinese version which is where those guys buy them from before re-branding the product. It works with ToupView software which I still use with my newer camera and is actually pretty reasonable software.
The software and drivers are provided on a USB dongle but I prefer to use the drivers provided and download the latest version of ToupView on their website.
High Resolution 5MP USB3.0 Digital Camera for Microscope with 0.01mm Calibration Slide: Perfect Compatibility with Windows 8 & 10, Mac OS X, Linux
Image sensor:
Aptina 1/2. 5inch color CMOS;
Resolution: 2560x1922 pixels (5M pixels);
Pixel size: 2.2um x 2.2um; SNR: 38.5 dB;
Dynamic Range: 67.74 dB.
Frame speed: 14.2fps at 2560x1922, 38.3fps at 1280x960, 101.2fps at 640x480.
Interface: USB 3.0 (compatible with USB 2.0);
Reduction lens: 0.5X, fit to 23.2mm eyepiece tube; 0.01 mm
calibration slide: 1mm/100 division. Adapters fit 30mm and 30.5mm eyepiece tubes;
Dimensions: 68mm x 68mm x 45mm (no reduction lens on);
Operating Temperature: -10degrees; C to 50degrees; C;
Power: Direct via USB port;
Mounting: C-mount or eyepiece tube (23.2mm/30mm/30.5mm).
All though the closing on this opportunity is the 27th January GMT any new KO-FI donations will be included in the giveaway up to that point. So if you want to be included in the opportunity with the previous supporters there is still time to get on the list. There is only one of these since it was used by me for less than a week before upgrading to the £600 model I have now.
Don’t forget to lookout for the closing Questions post on the 27th. A few days before closing I shall post the exact time and date in multiple time zones for clarity (US, AUS, UK).
The first person who responds to the question post in comments and answer’s correctly shall receive the camera via insured economy mail, assuming they were also a donator who contributed $20 or more also.
I will cover the first $50 of postage for the lucky person and anything above that must be covered by the recipient and can be paid via KO-FI.
If for any reason the winner does not wish to accept or does not like any extra Shipping fees (if shipping above $50! but highly unlikely) then the next person who answered correctly will get the offer.
All a bit of good fun, I hope someone enjoys taking great images on their microscope with this camera and shares those with others too.
Me testing the camera on my Leica DM2000 before re-boxing . The screen shows ToupView software display a Fluorescein Disodium dyed blood sample. Tested and re-boxed on 18/01/2024.
Disclaimer: No warranty is inferred or available, As shown above the imager was tested via the eye piece of my Leica microscope and is in as close to Brand new condition as could be.
I am more than happy to communicate any help to the receiver if they have any issues setting up the software or need any initial advice in order to get taking those great snaps. I can send a Zoom link to offer free screen to screen help to get you started if required.
I reserve others consideration that small details may be missed or problems may arise as an issue for which might not have been clear to me at the time of this post. Nothing to worry about, but you have to throw it in there I guess.
The product will be sent with insurance for the unlikely case of damage in transit, no scams will be tolerated and any damages will have to be fully photographed on immediate receipt of the package with all visible damages also photographed as one would expect.
Some forms of the Linux OS distribution apparently can have compatibility issues with ToupView as micronaught Seth has informed me, so Linux users consider this please.
The retail price of this camera is around 230 $US/£UK averagely around its lowest price and so it is not a bad deal for those who had donated $20US upwards considering that the $50 delivery charge I will cover should entirely encompass postage to most countries.
GOOD LUCK GUYS, AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SUPPORTING ME AND OTHERS IN OUR JOURNEY TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS GOING ON TODAY !
I cannot express how appreciative I am for the contributions towards the equipment I have now for which has really made a difference to what I can observe and how it is helping me learn more about the workings of these things for which we absolutely must figure out as much as possible.
Great idea and excellent way to allow someone else to contribute to what you started!!!
Fantabulous😁👍