DIY microscopy
From Hackteria Wiki
DIY microscopy
To use a simple usb webcam as a microscope, afew modifications are needed which are described in detail on the diy_microscopy page.
in short, a small hack to the optics of a standard webcam with an adjustable focus-lens, allows to create video data, with a magnification of around 100 to 400x (depending on the model) at a working distance of a few mm. the highest magnifications can be achieved by inverting (putting upside down) the lens. addition of good lighting by the use of leds allows to create images using a bright-field method (shine through the stuff) or dark field method (look at the reflections and scattering).