Rather than describe other portable microscopes, either antique or still available, I will direct you to the Microscopy-UK Full Menu [where you select “Micscape – Article Library”, then scroll down to “Microscopes”]; and, to Tony Saunders-Davies’ description of a home-modified Meopta portable microscope kit. Recently, I ran across a web site advertising the Micromet Microscope, promising looking by the pictures and specifications.

MY OWN FIELD MICROSCOPE is a Swift FM-31 Field Microscope modified with an LED light source and equipped with a Nikon 995 digital camera:

The Swift field microscope is a compact inverted microscope with long focal length objectives. It is available in bright field, dark field, and phase contrast configurations. I started with a bright field configuration about 12-years ago, but recently retrofit to a phase contrast condenser and objectives. It has a simple micrometer-screw mechanical stage, a battery-powered light source, and camera adapter. It comes with a leather case for the microscope.

With achromatic parfocal lenses, the Swift is of quality comparable to the better student microscopes. It successfully combines both coarse and fine focus into one focusing mechanism. The mechanical stage has a spring caliper to hold a standard slide. The long focal length objectives make it unnecessary to invert the slide or to use special slides.

The Swift suffers from the problem all portable microscopes and many lab microscopes - insufficient lighting. On a bright, sunny day, this does not matter. Turning the top-mounted condenser toward the sun provides excellent lighting for all high powers, even with phase contrast. On a dull day, or in the evening, photomicrography is difficult and observation at high power takes a little fiddling.

You will notice, in the picture above, that I have added a LazerBrite White LED light. This LED light corrects the two major problems with the flashlight originally supplied with the microscope: It is brighter and the batteries last about 10X as long.

I also bought a Nikon 885 Coolpix digital camera that screws directly to a Leitz 10X eyepiece that I use with the microscope. This model of Nikon is no longer being manufactured, but I was able to buy a second camera of the same model on Amazon.com.

The leather case that came with the Swift microscope was nice, but I do not use it. Instead, I use either a Tamarac Photo-Video 1 “Fanny Pack”; an impact plastic Pelican Mini S case; or, a slightly larger and bright orange Otter case, either of which contains the microscope and small laboratory kit.

The “Fanny Pack” is good for quick day outings, is heavily padded, and offers sufficient protection for a light hike. For extended trips, camping out, times when you might need to chain the case to a tree, and airline travel, an impact plastic case is a must.

The Pelican case [shown below], which I have used for many years, requires disassembly of the microscope for packing, but fits easily into the smallest-size day pack.

The Otter case holds the microscope fully assembled and also has room for my Nikon 885 Coolpix digital camera. It requires a larger day pack. I use it mostly for extended camping trips and airline travel.

Fully loaded with microscope and pocket lab, The Pelican case weighs about 4-lb. Both impact plastic cases are water proof, lockable, and supposedly you can drive a truck over them without damaging the contents. In the Pelican case my microscope has survived airplane luggage handlers, falls, and grandchildren.