People send me mounted samples to look at, I take a couple of photos as they sent them and then re-polish by hand.
I know a machine system can do 12 samples in the time that it takes me to do 1, but mine come out clear and free from artifacts.
And I don't do many.
And don't get me started on lighting methods and etching. It also seams that using polarized light or DIC has become passe.
I have two reference books on color etching, but getting some of the chemicals has become difficult.
I recently had a chance to use a confocal microscope for some macro work (2x to 20x). The depth of field was great, similar to SEM but a lot easier and less expensive.
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P.E. Metallurgy, Plymouth Tube