Portable microscopes

Luis Nadeau <nadeaul<-a t->nbnet< . >nb< . >ca> writes

>At a recent workshop on the identification of prints, we used a
>number of battery-operated portable microscopes in the 7X, 30X and
>50X range. They were quite inexpensive as they were purchased for
>approximately US$12 each. Their quality was not very good.
>...
>Can anyone point us towards better quality instruments?

I have purchased for field use, and also use in my lab, a russian
10x microscope that is extremely sturdy, has very good optics, and
cost me about about 80 pounds sterling.  In addition to coming on a
bench stand, I found that I could easily adapt it to use on a large
goose-neck for working on larger objects.  It proved so popular that
I had to fight the archaeobotanist to use it!

I purchased it through a British distributor, but the company may be
represented in America as well.  Try contacting:

    Zenith Microscopes
    Technical and Optical Equipment Ltd
    Zenith House,
    69 Lawrence Road,
    Tottenham,
    London N15 4TG
    +44 181 802 0624
    Fax: +44 181 809 0556

Howard Wellman
Director of Conservation,
Institute of Nautical Archaeology-Egypt
Alexandria, Egypt

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                  Conservation DistList Instance 11:38
                 Distributed: Monday, October 20, 1997
                       Message Id: cdl-11-38-003
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