ARCHIVE ISSUE: Micscape Magazine, exploring the miniature world

Measuring the magnification of homemade simple microscope lenses - John Davis (USA) describes a simple but accurate measuring method which formed part of his trials at making lenses to defined magnifications; attaining excellent agreement between theory and practice.

Caprice in C: Vitamin C revisited - Richard Howey (USA) presents an essay on this very versatile chemical illustrated with striking images. Written to celebrate his 100th article for Micscape. Editor's note: Many thanks to Richard for sharing his skills, enthusiasm and humour in his wonderful range of articles.

Neophyte explores miocene - Charles Suslavage (USA) shares his enthusiasm and experiences of studying microfossils.

Eyes on the X-Loupe - Mark Spear (USA) shares his experiences of using this very versatile macro adapter for a consumer digicam.

An early Victorian microscope by Joseph Casartelli, Manchester - Ian Walker (UK) describes a magnificent microscope from a lesser known maker but with qualities comparable to the best makers of the period, and enjoys using the microscope as his sole microscope rather than just for display.

Substage polar control lighting unit - Paul James (UK) decribes an ingenious but simple method for changing between lighting techniques such as COL and phase without disturbing the condenser when viewing e.g. sensitive aquatic organisms.

A compilation of LOMO microscope resources on Micscape - David Walker (UK) compiles the range of Micscape resources on the LOMO compounds and stereos into a central resource. Links to contributions from Rudolf Baumueller, Ted Clarke, Chuck Huck, Les May, Robert Pavlis, Bill Resch, Frithjof Sterrenburg, Ian Walker, David Walker, René van Wezel.

Next month's special feature: Rochester Institute of Technology, New York; articles by photomacrography course students. Micscape are again delighted to host articles by this year's course students; an article on each student's project forms part of their course assignment as kindly organised and offered by Michael Peres, the course director (and in past years by Ted Kinsman).

In Focus:

Nikon Small World 2007 - a gallery of the striking winning images in this year's competition is now online. Congratulations to the winners which include a third place for Wim van Egmond, a regular contributor to Micscape.

Rotifer's sex life (or lack of it) hits the BBC News Headlines 'Eighty million years without sex' - Great to see that it's not just celebrities sex lives that hit the headlines; arguably much more interesting are the lives of bdelloid rotifers.

Microscopy-UK image competitions: Occasional image competitions are being tried to encourage contributions by site visitors of any skill level. The first competition is sponsored by Maurice Smith, the site founder, with a prize of £40 in Amazon gift vouchers. Maurice remarks: 'To win, your image needs to be something photographed either through a microscope or by using close-up macro on your digital camera. It needs to show something from our world at the small scale most likely to interest ordinary people who may never use a microscope, or would not normally be interested in the world of microscopy. Your image will be judged less on quality and more about the subject matter.' Follow the 'Prizes' link on top menu for details. Sponsors of further competitions are welcomed.

Microscopy-UK Image Gallery: There has been a steady growth in the folk contributing images to the Microscopy-UK Gallery area, a recent new feature set up by Maurice Smith. There's a fascinating variety of images being shared and the subjects include pond life, forensic science images, such as paint cross sections and plants - both macro and micro. Many thanks to the supporters of the Gallery and we welcome further contributions.
Follow the 'Gallery' link in top menu to visit the Gallery and for details on how to contribute. Some contributors welcome help on the identification of some organisms.
A selection will be highlighted on Micscape indexes and the first selection are shown resized below (in alphabetical order of contributors' gallery names). Contributors can be contacted by email via their Galleries.

Rotifer Brachionus quadridentatus. Image by Alberto Magliocolla (Italy). He also shares some fascinating video clips including rotifers.	'Commelina flower and leaf stomata'. Image by Anne Bruce (Scotland), who shares a variety of images especially of botanical specimens.
'Found in Italian mountain pond'. Image by P. Clori (Italy). (Ed's note: possibly a nauplius larvae of a copepod.)	'Unknown' protozoan by Pedro Crespo (Spain). Crespo shares a variety of images of aquatic organisms.