ID182
Use of Nikon’s entry-level single lens reflex (DSLR) cameras at the microscope
Nikon economises with the automatic exposure control!
With the lower-priced Nikon D40 / D40x / D50 / D60 / D90 / D100 / D3000 / D3100 / D5000 models, only limited exposure is possible without the original lens. The automatic exposure control only works with Nikon digital lenses.
If you wish to use an analogue lens, camera adapter or bellows, the camera housing will not allow you to control the automatic exposure in manual mode. Only with the histogram display, or even more laboriously with exposure bracketing, is it possible to determine the ideal exposure time. The automatic functions such as automatic aperture priority or automatic exposure time calculation are not possible without the original AF lens being in place.
Especially in use with a telescope or microscope, where the microscope adapter is fitted directly to the camera body by means of a T2 bayonet fitting, this is a considerable disadvantage.
The better Nikon models D200 / D300 / D700 / D3 / D3x also have a fully automatic exposure control function without the original AF lens. Even without the original lens being fitted or when using the camera at the microscope, the camera body carries out an automatic exposure.
Conclusion: If you want to use a Nikon camera with a microscope, then you should make sure that you use a “better” Nikon model.
Perfect automatic exposure control is very important for microscopy. Other manufacturers, such as Canon or Olympus, even equip their entry-level cameras with fully functioning automatic exposure control for use without camera lenses.
Which digital camera functions best on a microscope?
| A milestone in digital microscopy and microphotography – the Nikon D300 and D3 |
Canon EOS 1D X / Nikon D4 / Canon EOS 1D Mark IV / Canon EOS 60D / Canon EOS 600D / Sony NEX-5N / Nikon D3S / Canon EOS 5D Mark II / Canon EOS 7D / Canon EOS 550D / Rebel T2i / Kiss X4 Digital / Pentax K-5 / Sony Alpha 55 / Sony Alpha 580 / Sony NEX-C3 / Sony NEX-7 / Sony Alpha 65V / Sony Alpha 77V / Nikon D3x / Canon EOS 1100D / Nikon D7000 / Sony Alpha 33 / Sony NEX-5 / Sony NEX-3 / Sony Alpha 35 / Olympus E-5 / Pentax K-r / Canon EOS 1D Mark III / Nikon D5100 / Nikon D700 / Nikon D3 / Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 / Olympus E-30 / Olympus E-3 / Olympus E-620 / Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III / Canon EOS 500D / Digital Rebel T1i / Sony NEX VG10 / Olympus E-600 / Nikon D300S / Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 / Pentax K-x /
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