Field microscope

Chris Thomson <thomson [at] ici__net> writes

>We are looking to purchase a small, very portable, good-quality
>monocular or binocular microscope (20-30X) with a battery-powered
>light source for on-site examination of paint, wallpaper, etc. We
>would like to upgrade from the Radio Shack $9.95 one.

As a matter of fact, I was at a camera store just the other day and
test drove a Nikon Field Stereomicroscope #7314 that I thought was
pretty wonderful.  The model I looked at weighs about a pound, is
about 7 x 4 x4" and has extremely sharp, wide and bright optics
(20X).  It folds up on itself and packs into a little padded
carrying pouch.  It did not have any "on-board" illumination, but
even in the ambient fluorescent lighting of the camera shop, the
view was plenty bright.  The price I was quoted was $289.  There is
also apparently a model with a built in illuminator (#7313) which
you can see on the web at
<URL:http://www.nikonusa.com/products/detail.cfm?id=219>

It looks just the same as the one I tried out.

Arlen Heginbotham
Decorative Arts and Sculpture Conservation
J. Paul Getty Museum
310-440-7178


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 14:37
                 Distributed: Tuesday, January 9, 2001
                       Message Id: cdl-14-37-003
                                  ***