For Cameras on Scope

I photograph gemstones and want to know what is the most advanced digital microphotography system available to photograph these most challenging subjects for highest quality. I'm currently using a Nikon Coolpix camera attached to one of the oculars of a Leica microscope. Major drawbacks include great difficulty in critical focusing of tiny blemishes/nicks on stones because focusing is done on 1.5 inch grainy LCD screen on camera. Another drawback is unidirectional lighting coming from bolt on light source on microscope stage-I think I need 360 degree diffused lighting as otherwise some portions of stone are dark with current light setup. I have experimented with other light sources, like pipe type illuminators, but they are too strong and create hotspots in the stones. What is ideal light source--I think it must be diffused and 360 degree surrounding the stone. I'm looking for a dedicated system ideally where camera, scope and light system are made by same manufacturer.

I have had great success with using an inexpensive digital camera and a printers loupe. It is really just a matter of the optics. For a light source, I would suggest a light diffuser and 360 degree lighting. With a diffuser, you can vary the intensity of the light without losing the lighting angle. BTW, I was shooting coins, not gemstones but I did manage to get coins to fill the entire viewable area of a 4MP shot with just the camera and a 10X loupe. it picked out flaws in the coin that were not seen with the naked eye. For the right price, you could have an all in one system built for you. It would be quite interesting to build one.

The MM-200 micromax led from carson optical is a powerful 60-100x power magnification pocket microscope with an extremely lightweight and portable design. This pocket microscope features a built-in LED light that provides a bright, clear image and a rubberized eyepiece for comfortable viewing. The micromax led fits easily in your Pocket so you can bring it with you anywhere.

Order at Amazon for $9.28

i have a 3-9x40 scope on my remington 3-06 and want the view of the scope on camera for a movie i plan to make over the summer id like the kind of shot they use in shooter and the jason bourne movies through the sniper scope id like the kind of shot they use in shooter and the jason bourne movies through the sniper scope

im with jason about adding them later and shooter and the bourne movies are awsome!

I did type this really quickly because I am busy studying. I don't need an answer to everything mentioned below, nor do I expect one. My question is long/detailed and I tend to ramble when I type fast. To start... i'll explain what I know and what I want to do with a new camera. 1st: My limited knowledge of SLR cameras comes for my fathers old Pentax that I used when I was kid. Basic picture taking and slight adjustments for night shots or that blurred affect of waterwalls and stuff like that. 2nd: I do have a 10" C10 on an equatorial mount. My main reason for wanting a DSLR is for that telescope, but I want to use it for other stuff as well. That telescope and mount was my first step/purchase towards being able to take astronomy photos. The spc900nc is good for Jupiter/Saturn/moon but nothing else. I know about the difficulty in tracking objects and stuff like that. I know you need an auto-guider for best or even ok results and that my results are not going to be that of the multi-billion dollar Hubble. I do accept all of those obstacles and facts. 3rd: I know that patience is the key to astro-photography, and that many people are not aware of the entire process or the costs involved for good/decent results. I have a degree in computers and currently an Aero-eng student. I have "not" taken an astronomy course (they don't count for credit towards my degree), but astronomy and space in general is a huge hobby of mine. Practically an obsession. I am quick to learn and pick up tricks that others have difficulty grasping (or so I think). I just want to make that a point before I get comments about astro-p being too difficult or not worth trying. I will do it regardless of the negative comments or opinions. My first tele was the telescope everyone told me not to get because of difficulty, and I got alignment and tracking down in the first 30+ hours(the first week upon delivery). I would even concrete and enclose if I didn't plan on moving soon. 4th: What do I want to do with an expensive hi-res manual camera? 20% of my use is for vacations. I go to some pretty unique places where I now wish I had better photos of. Desert/scenic landscapes, national parks, airshows, car races, cruises. The other 80% of my use and want is for long exposure prime focus shots with my telescope. (or) Piggybacking on my telescope with normal canon lenses. (or) standard tripod and use for imaging star/meteor trails. I have looked into getting a astro-ccd-camera, but the $400 models looks like crap (1.3mp), and the $1200 models (3-6mp) are only going to serve as a telescope camera, and that's all. The DSLRs have double triple or quadruple the resolution of an astro ccd at the same price, but they lack the noise filtering cooled ccd. I know most dslr can be modified, but I wont or have no plan on doing that or paying to have it done. Because of the cost and warranty of the camera. I have always wanted to take pictures of the milkyway bands, and time lapse of the sky (day/night). Which I know I need the $130 canon shutter/control timer thing. (I have considered a class 2-3 night-vision scope/camera). I plan on getting the following items for the camera soon after the camera purchase. 1: Timer/battery grip (for timed shutter control & remote triggering). 2: The general ??mm-???mm lens that is optional/additional. 3: Fisheye lens for the night sky (tripod- pointing to zenith for meteors and general 1-5 minute exposures sequenced to show the movement of the night sky) 4: Telephoto for general piggy-back use on my telescope or for tripod shots of shuttle/rocket launches ( I go to all of the KSC launches). I have looked at the canon 40d and I love the shutter speed (its just cool). There are many times my point-and-shoot camera(s) miss all the action, like going to nhra races or air-shows. Is the 6 shutter "things" a second that much better than the standard 3 shutter things found on all of the other canons or other brand cameras. For long-exposure and time-lapse photography, Will a $300 xsi (or similar) work as good as a $900 40d for what I want to do? I don't mind spending 1500-2000 total if that is the only way I can get the results I want. At the shuttle launches everyone has a 3-8 grand worth of still camera equipment and I always notice that 80% of them use Canon. I have talked to several people at various rocket/shuttle launches, but they dont know how to take astro pics. They are all photographers with jobs in sports, news, wedding, and general photography. My main reason and want for canon comes from everyone saying that canon is better and has done more for astro stuff than any other company. I dont know that or know the truth behind those statements. I am not close minded and would lover to hear all suggestions and opinions of any camera you want to talk about. If it costs $300 from walmart, or $1200 online to do what I want, I am ok with that. I don't like crap el NyX: LoL... Yea, I tend to over analyze everything now, no arguments there. I can only blame/credit school for that asset. I forget the other persons name: Oh I know about the difficulties, it isn't easy to get a good image or cheap for that matter. I have all the time in the world to perfect a useful method. I plan on getting a scope that is more suited for photography and my mount, like the Orion 120mm apo with the coatings. I am the type of person that is disgusted with societies view of space and the universe. Space is the key to every answer imaginable and people know nothing about it (even the smartest people on this planet). There are road blocks, but nothing will stop me from getting a crispy pic of the awesome looking deep space objects.

Your over analyzing by a factor of 10. Get a Canon Xsi (or any of the higher end models, if your budget allows). Read up on the craft at sites like this - http://www.covingtoninnovations.com/dslr/EOS300Dastro.html Join an astrophotgraphy forum dedicated to your brand or model of camera. For Yahoo groups, Canon DSLR Digital Astro is pretty active. But there are others - http://www.astronomyforum.net/groups/canon-450d-astrophotography-group.html Take your time

I have a modular home with a propane furnace. When it's not running for awhile...we noticed a cool breeze coming up thru the vents on the floor. Why would this be? Does it come thru the furnace/fan area or could there be duct work with a opening somewhere. We are on a slab foundation with only about a 2' "barely" crawl space too (sucks yes). Wondering if i need a crew with a snake camera to scope it out...

Sounds like a ghost to me.