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Ronnie I see a lot of cheap and expensive microscopes, and I notice that expensive is not always better for protein crystallization. Almost the most important thing is that illumination comes from *one particular direction*. Often this means that the light source is small and far from the sample stage. What does not work well is to have a large light source (eg multiple LEDs, large white screen, mirror or sintered transparent sheet) that is close to the sample - even with the best optics in the world, you won't see crystals well. Dark ground (see only scattered light) and ordinary transmission mode can both work well - good to have both if possible. Good luck, Patrick On 27 March 2015 at 13:08, Ronnie Berntsson <[log in to unmask] > wrote: > Dear all, > > I’m currently looking in to buying a new microscope for viewing crystal > plates, mounting crystals etc, and would love some input into what I should > get. > > What I would like is a microscope that has a high quality image, that is > easy to work with and which is ergonomical. It does not have to have a > fixed digital camera, but it should be possible to attach a digital camera > to take pictures. Price is obviously also important... > > I’ve been looking at the standard microscopes that Molecular Dimensions > sell, and also on a Nikon SMZ18. I remember that we used to have a Leica > microscope in a previous lab that I liked, but can’t seem to find the model > at the moment. > > I am also interested in getting a UV source, to inspect crystals under UV > to see if you fluoresce (and hence are protein crystals). Molecular > Dimension used to sell XtalLight 100, but doesn’t seem to do so anymore. Do > any of you have other suggestions regarding the possibility of adding UV to > a stereomicroscope? > > Suggestions and thoughts are more than welcome! > > Thanks, > Ronnie > > > ---------- > Ronnie Berntsson, PhD > Assistant Professor > Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics > Umeå University > 90187 Umeå > Sweden > > e-mail: [log in to unmask] > -- [log in to unmask] Douglas Instruments Ltd. Douglas House, East Garston, Hungerford, Berkshire, RG17 7HD, UK Directors: Peter Baldock, Patrick Shaw Stewart http://www.douglas.co.uk Tel: 44 (0) 148-864-9090 US toll-free 1-877-225-2034 Regd. England 2177994, VAT Reg. GB 480 7371 36