Your first
microscope
The B120C is one of the first microscopes I used, and a great place to start.
Start here
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B120C
One of the first microscopes I used, and a great place to start. It has an adjustable LED light and works well for exploring pond water, plant cells, and other samples on slides.
View the B120C on Amazon (paid link)Supplies: buy enough for a few slides.
The basics for your first pond-water slide. Start with small packs and a jar kept for samples. The bulk packs below are for repeated use.
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Slides & coverslips
A slide is the glass rectangle that holds your sample. A coverslip is the thin piece of glass lowered over the drop; it spreads the water into a flatter layer that is easier to focus in on.
If you’re starting on a budget, basic microscope slides and coverslips are fine. These are some affordable options I found, but if you find a cheaper suitable pack, start with that.
Pipettes
A small dropper for collecting water and placing a little of it onto a slide.
Sample containers
A small jar kept for samples is enough to start. For larger samples, a mason jar from a local shop gives you more room. These vials are a super convenient option for collecting smaller samples while you’re out.
Absorbent paper
Touch absorbent paper to the edge of the coverslip to soak up excess water.
Nitrile gloves
Handy for keeping your hands clean while collecting and preparing samples.
Start with a small box in your size. Local stores carry single boxes.
Lens tissue
Made for gently cleaning microscope lenses. Ordinary tissues can leave fibers or scratch the glass. Use a lens cleaner intended for your microscope’s lenses when needed.
Bulk pipettes
The linked pack contains 300 disposable 3 mL pipettes. Smaller packs are enough for your first samples.
Bulk nitrile gloves
The linked listing selects Large gloves in a case of 1,000. A small box in your size is enough to start.
My filming setup and an alternative.
The T490 is the setup I use for many darkfield/oblique videos, and the B490B is an alternative without a camera port. I also work with an Echo Revolve, but that is separate from the beginner setup described here. You don’t need to match all my equipment to start.
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T490
This is the microscope I use for many of my videos for darkfield and polarized light. It has an extra port for mounting a separate camera, but I mostly film with my phone using an adapter that holds it over one of the viewing lenses.
View the T490 on Amazon (paid link)B490B
Essentially the T490 I use, without the extra port for mounting a separate camera. If you’re planning to look through the microscope or film with your phone, this is the one I’d choose if it saves you money.
A holder beneath the slide lets you add filters to experiment with different lighting effects, just like the T490.
View the B490B on Amazon (paid link)Optional PLAN objective upgrades.
Objectives are the lenses that sit just above your slide. These are PLAN upgrades I’ve used and tested. They help keep the image in focus toward the edges as well as the center. You don’t need them to get started; you can upgrade along the way. Use the supplied lenses first, then decide whether edge sharpness is limiting the views or videos you want to make.
I’ve also successfully used objectives from other brands on my microscopes.
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4×
PLAN · 160 mmGood for scanning the entire slide to see what you want to zoom in on next.
View 4× plan on Amazon (paid link)10×
PLAN · 160 mmMove from a broad view toward smaller features. Very fine details on larva.
View 10× plan on Amazon (paid link)20×
PLAN · 160 mmAn intermediate view between 10× and 40×. Perfect middle ground for spotting smaller cells.
View 20× plan on Amazon (paid link)40×
PLAN · 160 mmExplore finer details on protozoa in a well-prepared thin sample.
View 40× plan on Amazon (paid link)60×
PLAN · 160 mmTake a closer look at the super fine details like bacteria, cilia, and other small protozoa.
View 60× plan on Amazon (paid link)100×
PLAN oil objectiveThis lens needs microscope immersion oil to produce a clear image. Make sure to get the oil at the same time before purchasing.
View the 100× PLAN oil objective on Amazon (paid link)