Hi Doc,

Seems like your solution would be an 'industrial' type microscope, not the
ones used in medicine. These usually go to the magnification and the working
distances you need. The better ones will zoom and have a ring-type
illuminator. A camera will usually attach with a 'C' mount. If you want to
use a P&S camera, make sure that a 'C' mount can be attached to it.
A stereo microscope with a camera tube will let you view the image through
the right lens, while using the left one for the camera. Fancier ones will
even have a third objective lens, allowing taking photographs while having
full stereo vision. Hope this helps.

"Dr. Leonard H. McCoy" wrote in message
obal.net...
I need to photograph small objects at a distance of 2-4 inches (5-10 cm)
from
the lens. I want a magnification of ~50 to 100.

Photomicrography (using microscopes) is limited in the working distance
from
the objective; it needs to be 1 inch. Photomacrography is limited in the
magnification; typically 10.