MicrobeHunter.com Microscopy Forum

Remember too that there are Nikon planapo and Nikon CF planapo, so there are differences between those too. I believe those need differing compatible eyepieces CFW and CFWN respectably. Someone more familiar with Nikon than I , would know more about their compatability specs and performance charact...

While I don't own all of the Nikon objective grades in their phase contrast versions, I have fairly significant collection of Nikon CF/CFN objectives so that I should be able to provide a fairly informed opinion about the optical quality of each series. Nikon 40x: I have an E plan 40x 0.65, a CFN pl...

I think that the best solution for you would be to use microscope objectives directly on a bellows. The resolution and image quality is way better than a stereo microscope. Stereo microscopes really aren't suited for photography. Here's a good intro: https://www.photomacrography.net/forum/viewtopic....

Looks promising for sure. But it seems like you lost much of the dynamic range when you converted them to .gif - as seen in the stepped, not smooth, color gradient in the background. Probably better to save them as jpegs.

Stacking very often improves things dramatically, even if you're only using three or four images. That said, you do need to be a bit careful when taking the pictures. If you haven't stacked microscopic subjects before (or any subjects, for that matter) I wouldn't rule out the possibility that your p...

Hej Håkan,
I've admired your work for quite some time. Good to see you post on here as well! Amazing and inspiring photos as always.

Viktor, in Lund

DIC prisms (Wollaston or Nomarski) are simply two very precisely made wedges of quartz or calcite that are cemented together with some sort of optical cement. Not sure what crystal and cement Zeiss used, though. If it's quartz (hardness: 7), it's really hard and I imagine very hard to damage when cl...

That is true, but I also mean that stacking algorithm will find and combine the sharp parts, even if they occur in different pictures. So the central parts will be sharp in one picture, and the peripheral parts will be sharp in another picture. Put another way, a lens that isn't plan may be very sha...

Actually, since in most cases you are going to stack the pictures anyway, it might not be a big deal if a 4x isn't plan. The Lomo 3.7x for example is exceptionally sharp and free of CA when used for macro work, but it is far from plan.

They can be pretty good value for sure, I got my set of 10x 0.50, 20x 0.75 and 40x 0.85 Nikon Fluor's for $250 (originally $300, but the seller knocked off $50 because the correction collar on the 40x was stuck, which I have since fixed). I also have the 40x 1.30 oil, but paid a bit more for it. All...

Did you try to clean it? I once had an objective that looked ok when inspected by eye, but produced an inferior, washed-out image in practice. Turned out the front lens was covered by a thin layer of dried-up immersion oil. After cleaning, it was perfect. A high-NA 40x seems like a prime candidate f...

CF/CF N distinction is also discussed here:
https://www.photomacrography.net/forum/ ... hp?t=10661

An excellent set of reference images ... Thanks for sharing them. May I just ask: is that Nikon objective designated 'CF' ? ... and could you please post a photo of it, to aid identification. MichaelG. . Edit: if it's like this one ... no photo needed https://www.ebay.com/itm/Nikon-Plan-4X-0-1-160-...

Charles Krebs constructed an even simpler setup using a UV flashlight, with really nicely results.

https://www.photomacrography.net/forum/ ... hp?t=33123

Never hurts to put in an offer for whatever you are willing to pay...

Spectacular photo!

How do you prepare these samples? Are they simple water mounts? I love seeing them 'fresh' like this.

As I said, I also have it and give it both my thumbs up. It's quite a spectacular objective, virtually zero false color. A friend has compared it directly to the newer CFN 60x 0.95 version. The CFN apparently has a little higher contrast, but they are very close. Sure, the very best modern infinity ...

There seems to be one available at dealcorner for $390: https://www.dealcorner.com/Nikon-Objectives/ One sold on auction on eBay in May for $249. I paid a around $225 for mine, but with a bit higher risk. That should give you an indication of what the lowest price you can reasonable expect to get on...

For example, I do not have a 4X objective. Perhaps a cheap 4X, 160mm Plan or PlanF objective might do, especially at at $20-$30. But if the WD is unknown, then what ? Since it's virtually guaranteed that a new Chinese 4x is at least very near 45mm parfocal DIN, then it's easy to see based on a phot...

Good point, John. I've been wondering why so few people talk about DIC using a slit condenser. If I've understood it correctly, the plasDIC system is basically a rebranding of the techniques that were already fully described in the very earliest DIY literature. (And implemented, for example, in the....

A while ago I picked up a Nikon optiphot nosepiece that came with 4 epi DIC prisms: 5x, 10/40/100x (2pcs) and 20x prisms. Paid $180 for it. (It also came with 20x and 40x M plan objectives.) I've been experimenting a bit with these prisms on my Wild M20 stand. I still haven't optimized anything: I'v...

It's Polyxenus sp.

I'm pleased that worked out for you. Generally, those little seams can't take very much oil at a time anyway, with the excess flooding the surface awaiting removal. The size of the drop that gets absorbed at any one time, is pretty much self limiting. Glad to hear you say that. I re-applied oil to ...

I have a Nikon CF Fluor 10x 0.50 objective where quite a bit of the black paint has come off due to poor packaging by an eBay seller. I got a partial refund, but kept it as the image is really good despite this. If you look through it at an angle, the damage is very obvious. But viewed straight thro...

If you bought it on eBay you definitely will get your money back, just report it as 'not as described'. Did you?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/171573622127

I have one of these that have both a grid and a scale, works very well and costs little.

The name "3D_man" suggests that it might be a 3D rendering, which I think is exactly what it is.

As a fellow with Nikon CF objectives on a black vintage microscope stand, I applaud you! What eyepieces do you have on there? A CF PL the trinocular? But the ones in the binocular head don't look like Nikon CF?

I use Doodlebug Design Crushed Velvet cardstock from scrapbook.com - highly recommended. Better than protostar. Never seen vantablack, but black 2.0, seems to have been a bit of marketing hyperbole.

SA = spherical aberration.