I was wondering if you guys can point me in the right direction on some kind of gooseneck LED with a clamp on it for top-down microscope lighting. Most of the stuff I’ve found looks like crap because it just uses classic two prong single color LEDs, or is fiber optic, super expensive, and hooked to a large power supply. I’d really like something with an XM-L on the end.
I can’t use a flashlight, because I have to get it close to the subject or specimen, and a flashlight is too bulky.
Any clues?
Coincidentally I’ve seen a Gearbest ad today for a clip on (on your smartphone) microscope with built in led for illumination. It’s not what you are looking for, but who knows you might be interested in it. I thought it was cool, especially for the price.
https://www.gearbest.com/mount-holder/pp_128971.html?lkid=13016119
That’s okay, man. I have a very nice microscope. I just need to add some light to samples. Thanks a lot for the tip, though.
If I were doing this, I’d want high CRI to make sure the samples were rendered in as natural a light as possible, and I’m having trouble thinking of an option.
My first thought was something like a 2xAAA penlight, before I got to the part where you said that a flashlight would be too bulky. I have a Nitecore MT06MD which has a 5000K 90+ CRI Nichia 219B LED for medical use.
Is the reason you need to get close because you can’t get the angle using a brighter light from further away?
If you can live with lower CRI, perhaps a USB powered bendy reading light? I’ve seen them in warm white or cool white, and some of them have built-in clips, but CRI is rarely specified and is unlikely to be better than 70 (daylight is 100).
Use a light guide or optical fiber. You can get the PMMA fiber version cheaply. This is the same problem most extreme close up macro photographers are dealing with.
- Clemence
You could use the Ikea jansjo USB led light for just a few $ , cheap enough to try. It is just 20 lumen but it may be enough close-up. The tint is 2700K and if I remember well 90CRI. Stick it into a powerbank as base and you are ready to go.
It is even cheap enough to use as a host for modding.
I bought a couple of 4.5v narrow form factor gooseneck LED lights, and when I get them, I’m going to mod them for XM-Ls. and slap a new driver in them - probably adventure sports little board, since it’s most likely just a regular clicky switch, unless someone else has a better idea.