We’ve had inquiries about what consumer or presume digital cameras are good for adapting to photomicrography. Some criteria of desirability are accessory threads that permit flush mounting of an adapter - Most current digital cameras such as the compact consumer types don’t have them. Some cameras with turret type lenses have threads or a bayonet fitting on the camera body which accepts a special adapter which surrounds the turret with a tube that terminates in standard filter threads; this is an acceptable compromise. Optical dimensions close to the human eye - This permits a direct optical path for through-the-eyepiece coupling, and avoids vignetting. See the section on Understanding and Avoiding Vignetting below.

Large lenses, such as are found on better snapshot cameras and SLRs, introduce unavoidable vignetting in afocal photomicrography; such camera lenses can only be adapted with a photo eyepiece, which is a more expensive adapter incorporating optical elements. Less-expensive cameras tend to have the appropriate size lens in a turret form. Manual modes for aperture and shutter, afocal photomicrography typically requires that the aperture be manually fixed, since wider aperture sizes may introduce vignetting. Manual shutter control is not strictly necessary, but it is convenient for adjusting the exposure of difficult microscopic scenes. Most inexpensive digital cameras do not have a manual mode for aperture and shutter. Manual mode for focusing - Most inexpensive digital cameras do not have a manual focusing mode. A semi-manual focus is sometimes available as a menu setting to set a fixed focus at infinity, which is what is actually needed, so this is acceptable. As time and technology progresses, suitable cameras at low cost are becoming available. As of 2007, cameras meeting all the above desirability criteria are available for less than $200, such as the Canon A540. This is an ideal camera for photomicrography. It also provides a live video-out preview, so you can then attach a video monitor to your microscope. For laboratory use, it is often necessary to have direct PC control of the camera, and/or image transfer, via protocols over USB connections like PTP, Picture Transfer Protocol. This allows periodic or time-based taking of photos, or synchronization with other laboratory apparatus or sensors. If you are considering buying a camera for which you will want me to make you an adapter, send me a list of your candidate cameras with links to their accessory thread specifications, and we would be happy to reply with definite advice on what will work.