[NHCOLL-L:5498] RE: Proscope v. MiScope?

Tue Jun 14 10:18:10 EDT 2011

These would probably be fine for documenting insect damage, quick pest identification, etc., but as Mark points out, they do not have the resolution for publication, specimen documentation, or research. Modern DSLR's, even some of the lower-end ones, offer much higher pixel counts and can be used for other functions with the proper lenses and accessories. Many of these, particularly the Nikon and Canon brands, offer backwards compatibility with film lenses and accessories that many museums have already invested resources.

Roger

Roger J Burkhalter

Collection Manager

Department of Invertebrate Paleontology

Division of Collections and Research

Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History University of Oklahoma

2401 Chautauqua

Norman, OK 73072

Phone: 405-325-1097

Fax: 405-325-7699
www.snomnh.ou.edu<http://www.snomnh.ou.edu>

From: owner-nhcoll-l at lists.yale.edu [mailto:owner-nhcoll-l at lists.yale.edu] On Behalf Of O'Brien, Mark
Sent: Tuesday, June 14, 2011 8:09 AM
To: 'rachael at AMArtConservation.com'; Listserv-NHCOLL
Subject: [NHCOLL-L:5497] RE: Proscope v. MiScope?

While I have not used the precise devices that are linked to, my observation is that they all offer a low-cost solution PROVIDED that you don't mind the fact that the actual pixel count is nowhere near as good as that offered by a conventional DSLR.  With a camera like a Nikon D90 and extension tunes with a 60mm micro-Nikkor lens, one can easily go 2x life size, uncropped.  Cropping the images of a 12 megapixel file, will still give excellent resolution for many applications.   Some of these cameras advertised are not better than VGA (640x480 pixels), and you can't enlarge those images.  A 1.2 MP camera is still pretty low-res, too.  However, it all depends on your expectations and eventual usage of the images.  They are great playthings, teaching tools, and useful adjuncts, but do not necessarily offer a "magic bullet" for anyone seeking high-quality macro photography.

Mark

------------------------------------------------------------
Mark F. O'Brien, Collection Manager
Insect Division, Museum of Zoology
The University of Michigan
1109 Geddes Avenue
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1079
(734)-647-2199
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From: owner-nhcoll-l at lists.yale.edu [mailto:owner-nhcoll-l at lists.yale.edu] On Behalf Of Rachael Perkins Arenstein
Sent: Monday, June 13, 2011 8:39 PM
To: Listserv-NHCOLL
Subject: [NHCOLL-L:5495] Proscope v. MiScope?

I was planning on purchasing a Proscope http://www.bodelin.com/proscopehr/ and then at the recent AIC annual meeting I saw a demo of the MiScope http://www.zarbeco.com/index.shtml  and was further intrigued by that.  Does anyone have experience with either unit that they would share?  I am looking to use it to capture detail images e.g. insect specimens as well as for other uses where a macro lens on my camera just isn't enough.

Thank you,
Rachael Perkins Arenstein
A.M. Art Conservation, LLC
Art Conservation, Preservation & Collection Management
rachael at AMArtConservation.com<mailto:rachael at AMArtConservation.com>
www.AMArtConservation.com<http://www.AMArtConservation.com>
917-796-1764

Rachael Perkins Arenstein
A.M. Art Conservation, LLC
Art Conservation, Preservation & Collection Management
rachael at AMArtConservation.com<mailto:rachael at AMArtConservation.com>
www.AMArtConservation.com<http://www.AMArtConservation.com>
917-796-1764

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