Microscope use, blurred vision

I am using a very cheap stereomicroscope to check the edge of the razor while honing. My problem is that after a few hours of honing my vision becomes blurry, I have a bit of a headache, and this fades away totally only after a few hours.

What I am using atm is an old microscope made in Ukraine, with one eyepiece. In the histology lab at the university we are using good quality binocular microscopes, and I have neved had this problem there before.

If I get a microscope with better optics than will this problem get better? Or will it be better if I get a binocular one? The truth is that I want to keep the costs low, so I don't want to spend more than 50-100$ on it.

Thanks for your help in advance! :)

I seem to get close enough for my needs with an inexpensive 10X loupe available at photo shops.

are you using the radio shack scope?
those are horrible, I like this one much better:
30X Illuminated LED Pocket Microscope Magnifier NEW! - eBay (item 320726646320 end time Jul-11-11 18:56:20 PDT)

auction number : 320726646320
it has much more light and also even at 30x is not much different than the Radio Shack version. One thing initially bugged me the LED is very strong and the light looks a bit blue but I am used to it now.

I am using something like this, just a cheaper and older version.

http://i00.i.aliimg.com/photo/v0/257...Microscope.jpg

how much light you are getting in when using it? If the light is not good enough that can cause the eye to work harder to see and hence the effects you experience.

I am using it at daylight when I can, at night I take it under a lamp that gives a fair amount of light, but maybe it is not enough.

Yes, and I'm waiting for someone to make a BMW for less than 10 grand. Good optics are expensive, very expensive. You might be better off buying a quality loupe for the money you want to spend. Looking through any inexpensive optical product for extended periods will affect your vision.

A loupe will probably be the best inexpensive option that will be easy on your eyes.

USB microscopes will also be easier for the eyes.

But... a binocular microscope will give you the best quality image.

jeness,

Modern microscopes are designed to present the image as if it is at infinity; the older ones were designed to present it somewhere around 160 mm (IIRC).

So a couple of hours peering down an old microscope will definitely give you eye-strain and a headache :(

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PhatMan

jeness,

Modern microscopes are designed to present the image as if it is at infinity; the older ones were designed to present it somewhere around 160 mm (IIRC).

So a couple of hours peering down an old microscope will definitely give you eye-strain and a headache :(

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

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Thanks very much for the explanation, I think I will have to get a newer and better scope.

A good light source is important. I have a study lamp with a halogen bulb that is quite bright. If you don't have adequate light, it won't matter what you are using to view the subject.

I've never used anything more than a 10x loupe.

I went down the microscope road too. Now I just use a 20X 'Hastings triplet'. Much easier to use.

I could never get the hang of the loupes I have, either not enough zoom or not enough light. So I bought one of these: Student Binocular Stereo Microscope 20x-60x Dual Lights - eBay (item 190557001872 end time Jul-26-11 14:10:47 PDT).
Once I get the hang of life and razors, maybe I'll go unplugged and use only a loupe, but for me this is the bees knees.

Hmm... I think, I will buy this:
Mini 100X Pocket Jewelry Pen Microscope Loupe Magnifier | eBay

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jeness

I am using it at daylight when I can, at night I take it under a lamp that gives a fair amount of light, but maybe it is not enough.

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Jeness

Try an ILLUMINATED 20x -40x Loupe like I have at - Widget Supply: Jewelers Loupes - 20x

You will like it.

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