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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| georgegleed1 | "Hi, this looks like a great project and I'd love to try it out. The 3D file links appear to be dead and produce a database error. Any chance anyone..." | Read more » | over 2 years ago | |||
| fongvania | "I did this! " | Read more » | over 2 years ago | |||
| eureka_chen | "Getting someone else to cut the material on behalf of the laser is not costly if it is only once or twice. But once the number of times, then it is..." | Read more » | over 2 years ago | |||
| tyagiarti22 | "Hi, great project! I have a question, not exactly related to the raspberry pi microscope but I'm hoping you'd be able to help me out... I'm using a..." | Read more » | almost 3 years ago | |||
| nashdracones | "Correct on the Cardboard Lens, I suspected the same after finding it very hard and expensive to get a openflexure tube lens. OpenLab has a scope t..." | Read more » | about 3 years ago | |||
| tapariayogesh | "What is the viewing angle of the camera lens? " | 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 5 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 5 years ago | |||
| warren | "Hi! It's this one or one very like it! Awesome! " | Read more » | over 5 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 5 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 5 years ago | |||
| warren | "I updated this with a new photo of the improved webcams, which means you can skip the inner foam tape step since the circuit board can unscrew and ..." | Read more » | over 5 years ago | |||
| warren | "Here is the adapter! We're making some on a lasercutter and some on a 3d printer, but it's a /very/ simple part -- the tough part for us is getting..." | Read more » | over 5 years ago | |||
| warren | "For folks starting to connect microscope objective lenses to their microscopes as part of the Community Microscope Kit, we'll post some photos soon..." | Read more » | over 5 years ago | |||
| thuynguyen454 | "Very informative post. Thanks for sharing. Your blog is very interesting, if you are interested in the topic of the game please refer here: duck li..." | Read more » | over 5 years ago | |||
| warren | " " | Read more » | over 5 years ago | |||
| warren | " " | Read more » | over 5 years ago | |||
| SarahC | "Remember - you're buying an OIL objective lens. This means it's been designed and built to use oil in contact with the lens and the cover-slip of ..." | Read more » | almost 6 years ago | |||
| warren | " @warren has marked warren as a co-author. " | Read more » | almost 6 years ago | |||
| warren | "@maggPi @partsandcrafts @wmacfarl @kgradow1 @dusjagr @gaudi @maxliboiron @j-bower @amirberagain " | Read more » | almost 6 years ago | |||
| warren | "@partsandcrafts @kgradow1 @wmacfarl @bmela check it out! " | Read more » | about 6 years ago | |||
| warren | "I think it will work! It doesn't seem like the width of the stage is that important. " | Read more » | about 6 years ago | |||
| j-bower | "Yes, for sure. I need to double check on the plywood I have lying around - pretty sure it’s 1/4 inch. There’s also lots of scrap. I noticed you lis..." | Read more » | about 6 years ago | |||
| warren | "We've ended up trying a webcam as an easier starting point, later upgradable to Raspberry Pi camera. It's working really well! And these laser-cutt..." | Read more » | about 6 years ago |