Cellphone camera for photomicrography

Abstract

In this study, the usage of a cellphone camera for microscopy imaging is investigated. A design for an apparatus to mount the cellphone camera on a microscope is presented. To gain insight on the range of colors that can be produced given a particular condition, the color sensitivity of a Nokia E72 cellphone camera was measured under different lighting conditions and subjected to different white balance modes. A generally low sensitivity on the blue channel was noted making images obtained under low lighting intensity to appear reddish. Blue channel sensitivity can be heightened by using Incandescent white balance mode and weakened by using Fluorescent or Cloudy white balance mode.