Honestly, both ways are pretty shitty. If ur gonna want to get good resolution up close ur gonna have to spend the money on either a good microscope or a 8.0 mega pixle 8x zoom is what i use. The best way hands down is a microscope and if u can figure out how to use one. then u got some other things to worry about. Its not hard to scrape of some resin and put it on slide. who satands there with there micro scope in hands holding it to the plant. u need exteme consistancy with a micro scope cause they are very sensitive. im not sure what microscopes u guys use but i have one that came from a university ahaha. but still they have exteme magnification and the clarity of it is up to you. THEY DONT WORK THEMSELVES. Ussually use the low power and adjust the focus. then go to ur high power and adjust the fine focus. theres really nothing to it. U should be able to get a clear up close pic of ur tricomes with any microscope even a budget one. they all work the same just some can zoom closer.