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| These images were captured with a Nikon coolpix 4500 camera and then transferred to one of my hard drives on the computer. All of these images have been enhanced with the aid of Photoshop. Most of the image manipulation consists of cleaning the background up and also sharpening the main image and maybe touching the brightness and colour up a little. The camera is attached to the microscope via a photo relay lens which I purchased from Peter Webber at a cost of £50. This relay lens is ideal for the coolpix 4500 because it just screws onto the filter carrier of the coolpix lens. The only problem with these low price coolpix cameras are the series of rings that present themselves when using X40 objectives and above. One recomendation is the Sony W7 which works out cheaper and can be attached in the same way as the coolpix by using a 30mm - 28mm step down ring. The upside to this is you do not get the dreaded ring syndrome when using higher powers. |
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| These two photographs were taken with the Nikon coolpix 4500 on the Carl Zeiss photomic 111. The objectives were plan neofluar X25 and a Nikon X20 planapo. The problem with the coolpix cameras is the rings that are seen when anything over X20 objective is used. However, they are simple to use and can give good results if the correct methods are observed. |
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| These two photographs were taken with phase contrast and show two different Trachelomonas escaping from their case. The flagellum of the alga can be seen in the top right of the second photograph. |
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Unknown type of cyst nestled between two Haematococcus. Cysts are formed when conditions deteriorate, for instance when there is a drought. This type of survival mechanism is used through out the protozoan and microbial world. |
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Haematococcus cysts surrounded by mucilage. |
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| More photographs of Haematococcus showing the two flagella and cell contents. |
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A colonial Desmid called Onychonema. |
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Chroococcus.This Cyanobacteria can be found in fresh water bogs and can be found with anything from 2-32 cells. They are surrounded by a mucilage sheath and can be a bluish colour. |
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| These two photographs show what appears to be an amoeba type organism. Its main source of food is the single celled algae that were found in great numbers. |
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A species of Cosmarium dividing. These placoderm desmids are very beautiful to look at and are covered with many different types of spines and wall ornaments. |
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Paramecium. This ciliate is very common in most freshwater habitats. It can be seen grazing on the large numbers of bacteria usually associated with this ciliate. The interesting thing about this protozoan is the many different types of cell processes that can be seen when the animal is feeding. |
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This photograph was taken from a video that I have made of Paramecium feeding. It was taken with DIC optics in place and show food vacuoles being formed. The food vacuole reaches a certain size and then pinches off from the oral groove. The food vacuole is carried away into the cell body where it is filled with digestive enzymes. |