Hi Ellen, The standard solution is a "stereo-zoom" scope with a trinocular head. But you can save a lot of money by finding one with a "magnichanger" instead of a zoom system. The third eyepiece should accept a c-mount camera which you can buy on eBay dirt cheap nowadays. I just purchased a TUCSEN 3.0 MP MICROSCOPE C-MOUNT VIDEO DIGITAL CAMERA for $139. I chose this one because it had nearly 3 meg resolution at a live frame rate (25 frames per second) while the 10 meg camera was closer to one meg live. (this isn't unusual as the smaller pixels take longer to charge). It is worth mentioning that you shouldn't be enticed to use this sort of scope above 100X because the tradeoff between depth of field and resolution makes for poor results except on very thin or planar samples which standard microscopes are designed to handle much better. Also, this sort of scope requires oblique illumination or dark field for most unmounted specimens, but the open structure facilitates this. Bright field is for flat, stained slides, etc. Other contrast modes are generally not available for this sort of scope. I bought a Russian made Lomo scope several years ago but you should be able to get a 'pretty good' Chinese scope for a few hundred bucks. The first scope I bought was for my use at work 35 years ago and came to $65,000, so I put 'pretty good' in quotes. Remember to be willing to sacrifice a continuous zoom for a thumbwheel that switches among discrete magnification steps if you want to save money. Be glad to comment off line on specific scopes you find. Aren't water bears only found in captivity (aquaria)? I once read an article about a new phylum described that was only found on Norwegian lobster lips - I wonder what became of that? Tim -----Original Message----- From: pbs-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:pbs-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Ellen Hornig Sent: Saturday, February 08, 2014 12:46 PM To: Pacific Bulb Society Subject: [pbs] Best dissecting microscopes for botanical subjects? Hello all. I'd be very grateful if someone who knows whereof they speak would give me a few pointers for choosing a dissecting microscope with which to study mosses, plant parts etc.. It's time to take my plant studies to a different level. Recommendations re particular brands as well as specifications are most welcome. I will admit to being particularly attracted to the ones that have a small camera for moving the microscope image to a screen. Ever since I read about tardigrades (water bears), I have been consumed with a desire to see one.... Thanks, Ellen -- Ellen Hornig 212 Grafton St Shrewsbury MA 01545 508-925-5147