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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| jhondue123456 | "https://www.google.com/ " | Read more » | 21 days ago | |||
| 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 | |||
| 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 | |||
| 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 5 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 » | almost 5 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 » | almost 5 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 » | almost 5 years ago | |||
| warren | "OK, we've finally gotten some good photos of the "basic kit" version of the Community Microscope (Kickstarter link) and how to assemble it. This is..." | Read more » | over 5 years ago | |||
| warren | "Glad to hear it. I've noted that not all WiFi networks work, and sometimes trying on a different one (like the one I broadcast from my phone) works..." | Read more » | almost 6 years ago | |||
| Aleksi12358 | "I managed to connect with usb. Now I will try to get camera to work and calibrate my spectrometer. I followed this: https://learn.adafruit.com/turn..." | Read more » | almost 6 years ago | |||
| Aleksi12358 | "I have problem with this. I cannot get my raspberry pi to connect to my wifi router. I have tried different thing in wpa_supplicant file that I fou..." | Read more » | almost 6 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 | |||
| cfastie | "Whoops, I just noticed this. I will try to print the parts and let you know how it works. Sorry for the delay. " | Read more » | almost 6 years ago | |||
| warren | "Sorry to detail here, you can get in touch via email if you like or repost your address if you want - I just wanted to be sure you didn't inadverte..." | Read more » | almost 6 years ago | |||
| warren | "Hi, good call @amirberAgain - i wasn't sure if @MaggPi knew this was a public page, so I just deleted the comment. The rest of the comment was: @c..." | Read more » | almost 6 years ago | |||
| amirberAgain | "@Maggpi @Warren please consider deleting any message with personal details. " | Read more » | almost 6 years ago | |||
| cfastie | "I see the little triangles of zero-thickness. My slicer (Simplify3D) ignores them, so it looks like they will print okay. @MaggPi, would you like m..." | Read more » | almost 6 years ago | |||
| warren | "Oh, hmm. You may want to ask here: https://github.com/rwb27/openflexure_microscope/issues/ I also wonder if you could choose a different material ..." | Read more » | almost 6 years ago | |||
| MaggPi | "This is just a note that my 3d print company flagged the design for the pi-camera holder , I don't think its a problem but I am not sure how to cor..." | Read more » | almost 6 years ago | |||
| MaggPi | "Thanks! also thinking of using the picamera cover/holder for a spectrometer build BTW " | Read more » | almost 6 years ago | |||
| partsandcrafts | "@MaggPi -- Sorry about that. I didn't update the link to the research note version of the instructions. I will do that now. The correct links ar..." | Read more » | almost 6 years ago | |||
| MaggPi | "Hi, I would like to use the raspberry pi camera holder but the link is no longer posted. Can you please (re) post the stl files. Thank You " | Read more » | almost 6 years ago | |||
| warren | "Hi @partsandcrafts @bmela @wmacfarl @kgradow1 - I broke out the "install on an SD card" steps into a separate activity: https://publiclab.org/note..." | Read more » | about 6 years ago |