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== DIY microscopy ==

====Introduction====

To use a simple usb webcam as a microscope, only a few modifications are needed.

[[File:diy_microscope_steps.jpg|300px]]

In short, a small hack to the optics of a standard webcam with an adjustable focus-lens, allows to create video data, with a magnification of around 100 to 400x (depending on the model) at a working distance of a few mm. The highest magnifications can be achieved by inverting (putting upside down) the lens. Addition of good lighting by the use of leds allows to create images using a bright-field method (shine through the stuff) or dark field method (look at the reflections and scattering).

[[File:amoebae_dark.gif|frame|none|dark-field image sequence (4 sec) of an amoebae recorded on a modified webcam]]
[[File:amoebae_bright.gif|frame|none|bright-field image sequence (4 sec) of an amoebae recorded on a modified webcam]]

====Video Examples====

Movie recorded with modified webcams:
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIFMqmSjTMc&feature=channel_page Hackteria in Berlin]

== Instructions ==

==== Hacking the webcam ====

''Step1:''

[[File:webcamhack_step1.jpg|none|300px|Step1: get a standard webcam, make sure u got the right drivers for your OS]]

''Step2''

[[File:webcamhack_step2.jpg|none|300px|Step2: break it open. of course take care not to destroy anything]]

''Step3''

[[File:webcamhack_step3.jpg|none|300px|Step2: break it open. of course take care not to destroy anything]]

''Step4''

[[File:webcamhack_step4.jpg|none|300px|Step2: break it open. of course take care not to destroy anything]]

''Step5''

[[File:webcamhack_step5.jpg|none|300px|Step2: break it open. of course take care not to destroy anything]]

''Step6''

[[File:webcamhack_step6.jpg|none|300px|Step2: break it open. of course take care not to destroy anything]]

''Step7''

[[File:webcamhack_step7.jpg|none|300px|Step2: break it open. of course take care not to destroy anything]]

''Further modifications''

==== mounting the microscope ====

There are many ways to finally build the microscope itself. here are a few examples from the workshop [[hackteria & lab_hacking @ NK, Berlin]].

''Simple microscope setup''

[[File:simple_scope_taped.jpg|none|300px|mounting]]

''Fixed, massiv and stable setup''

[[File:gaudiscope.jpg|none|300px|mounting]]

''Silicone embedded setup''

[[File:farah_scope_silicone.jpg|none|300px|mounting]]

''Tape and cardboard setup''

[[File:dusjagrscope_prototype1.jpg|none|300px|mounting]]

==== Magnification and Field of View ====

See: [[fieldofview]] for more details.

after completing the hack with the lenses, the magnification can be increased upto a field of view of 0.7 mm.

[[File:InversedMagnification.jpg|300px]]
[[File:Nematode.jpg|300px]]

== hacking a digital camera ==

[[File:cam_ani_big.gif]]

== more about microscopy ==

For more enlargement, you can not only invert the lense but also put some (iron) rings between the lense and the "webcam" and fix it with duct tape. The more rings you put between the more light you will need that you can see something. 5mm works without problems, the light from 1-2 LEDs will suffice to see the things.

For savers:
A cheap solution is a standard logitech webcam, which can be bought for about 25.- SFr. --> videos(500x600), pics (3MPixel)