How to
Guides by Will
Buying guidesPrepared microscope slides, and how to make your own
What prepared slides are and which set to buy, slide and cover slip sizes, how to prepare a microscope slide, six specimens to make at home with the stain for each, and how to keep the slides you make.
How toMicroscope cameras and phone adapters: how to photograph what you see
The three ways to photograph through a microscope, which fits your microscope, phone settings for sharp pictures, how many megapixels you need, and free software for measuring and focus stacking.
How toHow to use a microscope: setting up and focusing your first slide
The ten minutes with a new microscope that avoid the "it's all blurry" problem: setting up, focusing from low power, using the lights, stereo and digital differences, and looking after it.
How toMicroscope magnification explained: why 2000x on the box means nothing
How the magnification figure is calculated, where useful magnification stops and empty magnification starts, what you can see at each power, and the GCSE formula with a worked example.
Buying guidesThe best digital microscope with a screen (and why it beats a USB stick)
Screen model or USB microscope, how to read the magnification and sensor figures, and which Levenhuk DTX suits coins, electronics, nature or a classroom.
Buying guidesThe best microscope for kids and home education
Which type suits which age, why glass lenses beat a 1200x sticker, what to look at in the first week, and our picks under £50, under £100 and for secondary school.
Buying guidesThe best microscopes for hobbyists in the UK
Our picks for a first microscope, a compound microscope for school and hobby biology, a stereo for insects and coins, and a digital model with a screen, with the trade-offs on each.
Buying guidesWhich microscope do I need? Stereo, compound and digital explained
Compound for cells and slides, stereo for insects and coins, digital for a screen everyone can see.
