# \#microscopy **URL:** https://forum.inaturalist.org/tag/microscopy/170.md [Latest](https://forum.inaturalist.org/latest.md) · [Categories](https://forum.inaturalist.org/categories.md) · [Tags](https://forum.inaturalist.org/tags.md) --- ## [How to corral live specimens for microscope viewing](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/how-to-corral-live-specimens-for-microscope-viewing/84087)
**Author:** [@bobagrub](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/bobagrub)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2026, 9:22pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/how-to-corral-live-specimens-for-microscope-viewing/84087 "2026-08-19T21:22:06Z")
I have a handheld digital microscope that I use to take pictures and videos of invertebrates. For slow moving or relaxed subjects its quite easy, for miniscule, fasting moving, panicking creatures it can take ages to get… --- ## [Can I upload animated images (GIFs) to iNaturalist for observations?](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/can-i-upload-animated-images-gifs-to-inaturalist-for-observations/82090)
**Author:** [@pandahead\_hoimoon](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/pandahead_hoimoon)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2026, 12:28pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/can-i-upload-animated-images-gifs-to-inaturalist-for-observations/82090 "2026-07-17T12:28:10Z")
Although the use cases for uploading animated images are quite rare, as a microscope user, I’ve recently connected with fellow enthusiasts who help identify plankton. They all suggested that I upload videos instead, beca… --- ## [Finding foraminifera on the beach is incredibly difficult](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/finding-foraminifera-on-the-beach-is-incredibly-difficult/81833)
**Author:** [@pandahead\_hoimoon](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/pandahead_hoimoon)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2026, 7:16pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/finding-foraminifera-on-the-beach-is-incredibly-difficult/81833 "2026-07-13T19:16:45Z")
It’s been quite a while since I last looked through a microscope. This year, I’ve decided to make it my year of recording marine species. As I’ve been visiting the coast more frequently, I’ve gradually developed a strong… --- ## [Does not going out to sea and not having a plankton net mean you're completely out of luck when it comes to observing marine plankton?](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/does-not-going-out-to-sea-and-not-having-a-plankton-net-mean-youre-completely-out-of-luck-when-it-comes-to-observing-marine-plankton/80187)
**Author:** [@pandahead\_hoimoon](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/pandahead_hoimoon)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2026, 10:00am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/does-not-going-out-to-sea-and-not-having-a-plankton-net-mean-youre-completely-out-of-luck-when-it-comes-to-observing-marine-plankton/80187 "2026-06-16T10:00:00Z")
It’s been three years since I first looked through a microscope. As a complete beginner to plankton biology back then, I’ve added countless new species to my list over the past three years, especially common freshwater o… --- ## [Is background blurring and retouching acceptable for microscopy images?](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/is-background-blurring-and-retouching-acceptable-for-microscopy-images/79542)
**Author:** [@ps72](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/ps72)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [May 31, 2026, 11:52am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/is-background-blurring-and-retouching-acceptable-for-microscopy-images/79542 "2026-05-31T11:52:41Z")
In the case of a photo of a lone organism on an otherwise empty microscope “scene”, am I allowed to make adjustments to the background for the purpose of removing or reducing the visual effect of in-focus dust/dirt/scrat… --- ## [Portable microscope](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/portable-microscope/76166)
**Author:** [@leschij](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/leschij)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2026, 7:41am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/portable-microscope/76166 "2026-04-16T07:41:35Z")
Интересно, кто-нибудь работал с похожим прибором? https://optizona.by/mikroskopy/mikroskop-cifrovoy-discovery-artisan-1024.html Насколько он полезен для фотографирования мхов, лишайников, водорослей? I wonder if anyon… --- ## [Digital Microscope for Students (Chromebooks)](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/digital-microscope-for-students-chromebooks/38747)
**Author:** [@lamagswag](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/lamagswag)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2026, 11:11pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/digital-microscope-for-students-chromebooks/38747 "2026-04-15T23:11:20Z")
Hi everyone, I was looking for some recommendations for digital microscopes that are easy to use for students to be able to explore and take pictures with. Preferably one that connects to Chromebooks. There are a lot … --- ## [Equipment for spore microscopy for fungi?](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/equipment-for-spore-microscopy-for-fungi/77460)
**Author:** [@adam24061](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/adam24061)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2026, 12:22pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/equipment-for-spore-microscopy-for-fungi/77460 "2026-04-09T12:22:13Z")
Just wondering if anyone has any ideas about the requirements (e.g., magnification) for equipment for photographing fungal spores, or recommendations? --- ## [What are your Microscopy Tips?](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/what-are-your-microscopy-tips/76246)
**Author:** [@galaxyfungi](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/galaxyfungi)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2026, 4:33am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/what-are-your-microscopy-tips/76246 "2026-03-02T04:33:21Z")
I recently got a Herwicm binocular microscope as a gift, but I have very little experience in microscopy. I have used other microscopes here and there, but never avidly. I am hoping to become somewhat successful in iden… --- ## [Stereo microscopes - What do you use?](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/stereo-microscopes-what-do-you-use/74216)
**Author:** [@ngq15](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/ngq15)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2026, 2:26pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/stereo-microscopes-what-do-you-use/74216 "2026-01-07T14:26:33Z")
Hi all, I’ve recently been in the mood to upgrade my home setup with a new stereo microscope, and I was hoping that the good people of iNat would be willing to share what they use, and if they would recommend their resp… --- ## [What microscope do you guys recommend for insect & springtail ID?](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/what-microscope-do-you-guys-recommend-for-insect-springtail-id/71084)
**Author:** [@jjwsphotography](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/jjwsphotography)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2025, 9:43am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/what-microscope-do-you-guys-recommend-for-insect-springtail-id/71084 "2025-10-05T09:43:36Z")
I’ve noticed a couple of similar threads on the forum, but none that quite answer what I’m curious about. I’ve been spending a lot of time photographing springtails and other microfauna, and I’ve reached the point where … --- ## [How to record date/time that a sample was observed under a microscope](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/how-to-record-date-time-that-a-sample-was-observed-under-a-microscope/63143)
**Author:** [@cwfoo](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/cwfoo)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2025, 1:17am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/how-to-record-date-time-that-a-sample-was-observed-under-a-microscope/63143 "2025-03-23T01:17:25Z")
What is an appropriate way to record the date/time that a sample was observed under a microscope? Consider these situations: I see some moss on the ground and collect a small sample of it. I later observe the sample u… --- ## [What could I use a stereo microscope for?](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/what-could-i-use-a-stereo-microscope-for/62312)
**Author:** [@brentturcotte](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/brentturcotte)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2025, 2:59am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/what-could-i-use-a-stereo-microscope-for/62312 "2025-03-09T02:59:28Z")
I recently got myself a stereo microscope. It had a 10x eyepiece and can view at 10X or 30X magnification. I added a 20X eyepiece that allows 20X or 60X magnification. What could I use this device for in relation to i…