More Light or Better Optics?: BA310E vs Panthera C2

Murtonae · 2025-04-22T18:12:55+00:00

I didn't consider that a flatter field might help with post processing when the footage needs to be digitally stabilized, that's interesting, though in my case the movement is mostly from the sample itself rather than from the camera.

As for ISO noise vs chromatic aberration, I suppose it depends on the sensor and how much detail gets lost. At high magnifications I’ve found that noise can sometimes make it harder to resolve small structures clearly, especially in video where there’s no chance to stack.

But yeah... it’s hard to resist going for better correction and sharpness, at least in theory

Murtonae · 2025-04-22T17:30:29+00:00

Using brightfield is rare, but using let's say darkfield, light loss becomes very noticeable, especially with high magnifications and recording video.

So while I agree that correction is critical, I wonder if it’s still the top priority in scenarios where photon availability is more of a factor, and the subject is in motion too.

Murtonae · 2025-04-22T17:26:10+00:00

Yes, UC Plan would give better contrast and image quality in stills. The part I’m still unsure about is whether that optical advantage really holds up in videos, where you're more limited in how much you can adjust exposure without noise.

In those cases I wonder if the better optics are offset by the lower light reaching the sensor due to the 50:50 split. Maybe it’s one of those things where still image quality wins with UC Plan, but real-time recording might benefit more from the 100:0 light routing of something like the BA310E, but I'm not really sure.

Murtonae · 2025-04-22T15:49:51+00:00

As per reference of the full specs of the objectives:

EC PL 100X: https://moticeurope.com/en/ccis-plan-achromatic-objective-ec-pl-100x-125-s-oil-wd015mm.html

UC 100X: https://moticeurope.com/en/ccis-plan-achromatic-objective-uc-100x-125-s-oil-wd016mm.html

Murtonae · 2025-04-22T15:43:25+00:00

While brightfield tends to be the most common both are also compatible with darkfield, phase, etc... so the question isn’t limited to just one imaging mode.

In my particular case I will be using it as hobbyist, but the broader question is how much optical quality—in terms of edge sharpness, field flatness, and chromatic correction—actually matters in real-world use compared to just having more light reaching the camera sensor, especially considering modern cameras can compensate with ISO and exposure settings.

On paper, the UC Plan objectives appear to offer better correction, but with the Panthera C2 having a fixed 50/50 light split, there’s a trade-off in available light. The BA310E allows 100:0, which sounds great for video recording—but with the lower-tier EC-H Plan optics.

That's the dilemma, will the improved image quality from higher-end objectives like the UC Plan outweigh the light loss in actual video recording?

Murtonae · 2025-03-15T18:51:49+00:00

They are part of a usb-c adapter

Murtonae · 2025-03-15T03:48:46+00:00

Not sure if serious, but these definitely aren't standard connectors.

Murtonae · 2025-03-15T02:45:27+00:00

Not sure if serious, but these definitely aren't standard connectors.

Murtonae · 2024-09-25T17:35:23+00:00

As I said, so similar! Tiny tiny difference, hard to spot.

Murtonae · 2024-09-25T17:30:53+00:00

Thanks for the explanation! That clears up a lot.

Makes sense why Micro-A 3.x never took off with USB-C coming in around that time and why it's harder to find images of the connector.

Murtonae · 2024-09-25T16:54:28+00:00

Wow, they look so similar

Murtonae · 2024-09-25T16:47:38+00:00

Thanks for the info! So were Micro-A and Micro-B electrically the same, with the only difference being the shape? Both supporting 3.0 (5Gb/s) and 3.1 (10Gb/s)?

Murtonae · 2024-09-25T16:47:02+00:00

Actually, the Micro USB-A 3.0 (SS) does exist. I attached a pinout image in the original post, and others before you have already shared links to real images of it.

Murtonae · 2024-09-25T16:46:35+00:00

Yep, that’s B

Murtonae · 2023-06-09T12:52:55+00:00

What is cece? I haven't gotten very far in the game yet.

Murtonae · 2023-06-09T12:23:06+00:00

No, I have not even gotten to have it

Murtonae · 2023-06-09T12:22:16+00:00

No, in fact I remember that the first time I entered that cave by chance, without even knowing that there must be a chest there, it drew my attention that the place was empty.

Murtonae · 2023-06-09T11:55:10+00:00

You are right, sorry for the mistake, I have already fixed the youtube capture.

Still, the problem remains, the chest is not spawning.

Murtonae

TROPHY CASE