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The Basic Microscope Kit is an introductory Do-It-Yourself microscope made from affordable and easy to find parts. It's based on [the Hackteria microscope](https://publiclab.org/notes/partsandcrafts/10-26-2017/making-a-hackteria-microscope), the OpenFlexure Microscope, and @maxliboiron's work at http://CivicLaboratory.nl ( #13503 ), among other sources. (above image by @partsandcrafts) ## Goals This project was started as a collaboration between Public Lab and [Parts & Crafts](http://partsandcrafts.org). The goals of the project are: 1. offer a very easy starting point for DIY microscopy 2. act as a stepping-stone to more advanced DIY microscopes 3. be as affordable and simple as possible while still providing great microscopic images 4. be good enough to view 2-5 micron size particles (see [sample images below](#Sample+images)) ##About the parts ### General parts list * a lens (objective) * a [Raspberry Pi](/tag/raspberry-pi) * a [Raspberry Pi camera](/pi-camera) * a light source * a rigid stage to connect these all together ###Example parts list for building a Basic Microscope: * [Raspberry Pi camera](https://www.amazon.com/SainSmart-Camera-Module-Webcam-Raspberry/dp/B00FGKYHXA/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1516378086&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=raspberry+pi+camera&psc=1) * [Raspberry Pi Zero W](https://www.amazon.com/CanaKit-Raspberry-Wireless-Starter-Official/dp/B06XJQV162/) * [a micro SD card](https://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-MicroSDHC-SDSDQM-B35A-Without-Adapter/dp/B004ZIENBA/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8) * [a USB light](https://www.amazon.com/I-MU-Flexible-Gooseneck-Brightness-Gray-White/dp/B071Y3P8ZC/) * [a lens (objective x40)](http://www.amscope.com/40x-achromatic-microscope-objective.html) * [a hackteria microscope stage](https://publiclab.org/notes/partsandcrafts/01-22-2018/building-the-microscope-stage) (with modifications from Parts and Crafts!) * [a 3D printed objective adapter](https://github.com/rwb27/openflexure_microscope/blob/master/stl/optics_picam2_rms.stl) * the bolts to hold it together Extras to help you get started: * [Microscope slides](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008JFRP1K/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) * [A microscope stage calibration slide](http://www.amscope.com/microscope-stage-calibration-slide-for-usb-camera-0-01mm-stage-micrometer.html) * [Microscope Immersion Oil](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007PD4IZS/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A35BV4NHHC5J5C&psc=1) * Rubberbands * A magnet **** ## Getting started Start with the [Overview activity, here](/notes/partsandcrafts/11-26-2017/building-a-raspberry-pi-microscope). Then see [the activities below](#Activities) for each step in detail. _Basic Prototyping Kit now available for sale in the [Public Lab store](https://publiclab.myshopify.com/collections/under-development/products/basic-microscope-prototyping-kit-preorder?variant=7861722578972)!_ **** ## Questions [questions:basic-microscope]  ## Activities [activities:basic-microscope] ## Challenges We're working to refine and improve DIY spectrometry on a number of fronts; here, take a look at the leading challenges we're hoping to solve, and post your own. For now, we're using the Q&A feature, so just click "Ask a question" to post your own challenge. [questions:basic-microscope-challenge] **** ## People Folks involved in getting this project started include: [people:group:partsandcrafts] **** ## Sample images [](/system/images/photos/000/022/598/original/sample_1.jpg) [](/system/images/photos/000/022/597/original/sample_3.jpg) ...
| Author | Comment | Last activity | Moderation | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| tapariayogesh | "What is the viewing angle of the camera lens? " | Read more » | over 3 years ago | |||
| warren | "Obviously we love to see any improved 3d printed parts and would love to add to the design. Just so people know, we try to print these to be solid,..." | Read more » | over 3 years ago | |||
| warren | "Sadie, just curious, how does your adhere to the board? I love the little grippy bits that hold the lens itself! " | Read more » | over 3 years ago | |||
| warren | "Or try https://publiclab.github.io/infragram/ for a more up-to-date version of that webapp! " | Read more » | almost 4 years ago | |||
| KathleenRobinson | "wao good to see these type of spy camera " | Read more » | almost 4 years ago | |||
| warren | "Oh awesome! " | Read more » | almost 4 years ago | |||
| SadiePrego | "Hey no problem! I actually made one myself which works pretty well - no tape needed, here's the file: Webcam_lens_adapter_v2.stl " | Read more » | almost 4 years ago | |||
| warren | "Oh sorry! I misunderstood! Here, i've added that too now, but note that I believe I just found a standard m12 on thingiverse and resized it. So the..." | Read more » | almost 4 years ago | |||
| SadiePrego | "Hey @warren the .stl file doesn't look like the 3D printed adapter in ur picture (screenshot below), it looks like it might be the adapter for the ..." | Read more » | almost 4 years ago | |||
| SadiePrego | "thank u @warren! Going to try it out, unfortunately are makerbot doesnt take gcode which is a lil surprising but I guess cause its a newer model " | Read more » | almost 4 years ago | |||
| delhinsim | "It's wow! https://www.nsim.in/digital-marketing-course-in-dubai/ " | Read more » | almost 4 years ago | |||
| warren | "It's this one! https://github.com/publiclab/community-microscope/blob/master/lens-adapter.stl " | Read more » | almost 4 years ago | |||
| warren | "Oh gosh, well it's not super nice, and i think we may literally just have crudely stretched them to make gcode, but, the original is here: https://..." | Read more » | almost 4 years ago | |||
| SadiePrego | "@bronwen @warren is there any chance these files exist as STL? Thanks! " | Read more » | almost 4 years ago | |||
| jenjimah | " Hi Warren, Sure I'd be happy to try to add that in, it's only 2 files that need to be updated after all. However before that, there are a few thin..." | Read more » | almost 4 years ago | |||
| warren | " This is great! Indeed, this is a good approach, although I found that not all computers could use an internet gadget either without drivers, it's ..." | Read more » | about 4 years ago | |||
| jenjimah | "I did this! Hardware: Raspberry Pi Zero W Software: Raspbian Stretch Lite, Windows 10 (on PC) Connection: USB configured as ethernet device; SSH i..." | Read more » | about 4 years ago | |||
| jenjimah | " Thanks for the link! I also wasn't able to use the wifi method of connecting so I also connected over usb. I had to follow the whole tutorial from..." | Read more » | about 4 years ago | |||
| warren | " Here's the 3d model for the adapter for the alternative "wider flange" webcams -- @Bronwen : https://github.com/publiclab/community-microscope/bl..." | Read more » | over 4 years ago | |||
| warren | ":-) good to know!!! We're looking for slightly better webcams now too. We found this one is pretty nice, and we are getting them for about $30, al..." | Read more » | over 4 years ago | |||
| shanlter | "Thanks @warren, finally I bought at taobao with the price of 1.7USD each. I think you have a pretty good price for US! " | Read more » | over 4 years ago | |||
| warren | "Hi! It's this one or one very like it! Awesome! " | Read more » | over 4 years ago | |||
| shanlter | "Hi Jeff, do you have the specifications of the webcam? I found several cameras looked like this on Taobao, with variety prices. not sure which to b..." | Read more » | over 4 years ago | |||
| warren | "Final note as we prepare a new activity for Raspberry Pi kits: you need to remove the lens from the Pi camera, which is a bit tough. We've loosened..." | Read more » | over 4 years ago |