If you are going to admire the jewel-like choloroplasts of phytoplankton or marvel at the nifty locomotor structures of zooplankton, you will need about 100x magnification, and transmitted, not just reflected, light. That means a microscope. That means $$$$$.
Swift makes a remarkable 2 lb field microscope that mounts on a tripod, selling for lose to $500. Try sucking the plankton into a capillary tube for a quick living mount. For the same money you could get four Magiscopes. These sturdy scopes are nearly indestructible. Light is gathered and transmitted through the specimens by a clever phtooptic rod the makers call a lumarod.
It may seem merely a symbolic gesture to return a few plankton to their teeming numbers in the waters, but do consider making the effort. Respect for all the components of our ecosystem is an important lesson.
Once you get hooked on plankton, you will want to check out the PLANKTON SOCITEY and California Academy of Science’s DIATIOM COLLECTION.
For most closer inspections in the field, you will want a 10x magnifier. The inexpensive acrylic lenses at 6x are worth a look, but they scratch easily. Consider instead a $5 Coddington-type lens that folds into a steel case. These lenses are crafted from two layers of glass and limit you to a rather narrow field of view. For about $30, the three layer Hastings models ought to five you less distortion. A group can pleasurably take turns with one $10, 10” folding magnifier poised just above the surface of a tide pool or the shallows of a pond. Whatever your budget allows, do try to provide a magnifier for every observer. This is a personal experience.
A length of climber’s lacing from an outdoor gear store makes a really cool-looking lanyard for keeping your hand lens around your neck so you won’t lose it. To keep the lens handy yet out of the way, consider also a flyfisher’s retractable “zinger” pinned onto your vest or jacket once you evolve into a “hard core” field scientist.
For most closer inspections in the field, you will want a 10x magnifier. The inexpensive acrylic lenses at 6x are worth a look, but they scratch easily. Consider instead a $5 Coddington-type lens that folds into a steel case. These doublet lenses are crafted from two layers of glass and limit you to a rather narrow field of view. For about $30, the three layer Hastings triplet models ought to five you less distortion. A group can pleasurably take turns with one $10, 10” magnifier in the folding style called a linen tester, poised just above the surface of a tide pool or the shallows of a pond. Whatever your budget allows, do try to provide some kind of magnifier for every observer. This is a personal experience.
A length of climber ’s lacing from an outdoor gear store makes a really cool-looking lanyard for keeping your hand lens around your neck so you won’t lose it. To keep the lens handy yet out of the way, once you evolve into a “hard core” field scientist, consider also a flyfisher’s retractable “zinger” pinned onto your vest or jacket.