Search found 166 matches

by MikeBradley
Thu Oct 05, 2023 3:07 pm
Forum: Miscellaneous
Topic: Server Errors
Replies: 6
Views: 1306

Re: Server Errors

I'm getting them too. Indeed when I tried to reply to this thread just now, I got one!
Michael
by MikeBradley
Sun Oct 01, 2023 2:41 am
Forum: For forum members who want to buy and sell equipment
Topic: Looking for incident light polariser for Meta/Neo Pan
Replies: 0
Views: 547

Looking for incident light polariser for Meta/Neo Pan

I’m looking for an incident light polariser for what I now think is a Reichert Metapan S Pol microscope (see image). I have the analyser and the compensator plates but not the polariser. I’ve been trying to make one from polarising film with mixed results – only getting poor levels of extinction. If...
by MikeBradley
Tue Sep 12, 2023 3:22 pm
Forum: Illumination Techniques
Topic: Is there such a thing as a Rheinberg condenser?
Replies: 5
Views: 1544

Re: Is there such a thing as a Rheinberg condenser?

There is an interesting article about Rheinberg condensers here. The article is by Paul Martin and was originally published in Modern Microscopy in 2014.

https://www.mccrone.com/wp-content/uplo ... inberg.pdf

Michael
by MikeBradley
Tue Aug 08, 2023 2:09 am
Forum: Beginner's corner
Topic: European source for beginner scopes?
Replies: 12
Views: 18730

Re: European source for beginner scopes?

A good source of microscopes in the UK is Brunel microscopes: http://www.brunelmicroscopes.co.uk/

They a have a dedicated website dealing with various used and reconditioned microscopy related items and there are often reasonably priced microscopes there: https://www.usedmicroscopes.co.uk/

Michael
by MikeBradley
Fri Jun 02, 2023 3:23 pm
Forum: Specimens, samples and slides
Topic: Stomates and cellulose acetate butyrate- any experiences?
Replies: 17
Views: 4633

Re: Stomates and cellulose acetate butyrate- any experiences?

Kinetochore, are you aware of this method using UV varnish and a pair of slides? I came across it on the Quekett Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/robert.ratford.5/videos/826172725136872?idorvanity=3830952063797577 BTW, I purchased Replicating Tape from Ted Pella in the US, they have branches ...
by MikeBradley
Fri May 05, 2023 11:49 pm
Forum: For forum members who want to buy and sell equipment
Topic: ISO decent used stereoscope for CA colleague
Replies: 3
Views: 627

Re: ISO decent used stereoscope for CA colleague

The only source of quality used microscopes in BC that I'm aware of is Markarian Fine Optics 1481 Kingsway, Vancouver. They are primarily a telescope vendor but they do always have a couple of shelves of microscopes, of various types, on display. They do know the subject and have the technical skill...
by MikeBradley
Mon Feb 13, 2023 3:05 am
Forum: Collecting microscopes and slides
Topic: Collection disposal ?
Replies: 25
Views: 7568

Re: Collection disposal ?

Following the death of a friend, a retired microscopy prof., his widow asked me to arrange disposal of his substantial collection of equipment (inverted, fluorescent, Photomicrscopes and more). I was able to find a home for it with a local marine research charitable organisation whom were very happy...
by MikeBradley
Tue Feb 07, 2023 4:16 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Improving a toy microscope..add a condenser?
Replies: 30
Views: 55263

Re: Improving a toy microscope..add a condenser?

Not often mentioned in these discussion of portable microscopes is the Olympus MIC. I was made aware of these on reading "The Freshwater Microscopist" by Tony Pattinson and I've been happy with as my travelling microscope. It even comes with a protective moulded case. I added an LED, for my use that...
by MikeBradley
Sat Dec 31, 2022 5:36 am
Forum: Microscopy accessories
Topic: AO Microstar Misaligned condenser arms
Replies: 4
Views: 1648

Re: AO Microstar Misaligned condenser arms

Thanks PeteM, it was the screws holding the dovetail, two were loos and the entire rail was off-square.
Full Kohler is now achievable.
Michael
by MikeBradley
Sat Dec 31, 2022 2:09 am
Forum: Microscopy accessories
Topic: AO Microstar Misaligned condenser arms
Replies: 4
Views: 1648

Re: AO Microstar Misaligned condenser arms

Sorry, I had taken the screw out as part of tearing down the mount and forgot to replace it for the photo. When it is in place it has to be inserted as far as it will go to bring the Kohler disc fully into the 10x FOV, still offset to the right of centre.
Michael
by MikeBradley
Sat Dec 31, 2022 1:16 am
Forum: Microscopy accessories
Topic: AO Microstar Misaligned condenser arms
Replies: 4
Views: 1648

AO Microstar Misaligned condenser arms

On a friends AO Microstar the condenser support arms are visibly misaligned with the field diagram window and we can’t centre the field diaphragm. We have no record of ever having knocked the arms. Is it possible to recenter the arms / stage unit?
Thanks
Michael
IMG_7141a.jpg
IMG_7141a.jpg (84.91 KiB) Viewed 1648 times
by MikeBradley
Wed Sep 14, 2022 2:48 pm
Forum: Identification help
Topic: Is this Dileptus?
Replies: 6
Views: 1673

Re: Is this Dileptus?

Thanks Bruce, I had started to wonder whether that may have been the answer.
Thanks
Michael
by MikeBradley
Tue Sep 13, 2022 5:05 pm
Forum: Identification help
Topic: Is this Dileptus?
Replies: 6
Views: 1673

Re: Is this Dileptus?

Thanks for the correction Bruce, I've a lot to learn! Unfortunately my only other serviceable image of this specimen doesn't offer me much more of assistance in ID'ing it. In my original posting I said the image was at 40x, but it was actually only 20x, as a result the specimen was actually 300um at...
by MikeBradley
Mon Sep 12, 2022 3:09 am
Forum: Identification help
Topic: Is this Dileptus?
Replies: 6
Views: 1673

Is this Dileptus?

I’m trying to ID this protist, wondering whether it is Dileptus? It was from a freshwater pond plant bed, in the company of a healthy population of closterium and cosmarium. It was imaged at 40X 0.95NA and in the shape captured in the image it was 150um in length. Thanks for any help
Michael.
by MikeBradley
Wed Jul 20, 2022 1:39 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: And now. This year's ignoble prize in microscope design goes to....
Replies: 20
Views: 3599

Re: And now. This year's ignoble prize in microscope design goes to....

If the idea of a real teaching bridge is appealing I am currently trying to give an Olympus BH2 one away, for the cost of shipping. See link here:
viewtopic.php?f=16&t=8311#p124094

Michael
by MikeBradley
Sun Jul 03, 2022 7:39 pm
Forum: For forum members who want to buy and sell equipment
Topic: Olympus BH2 Teaching Bridge set for quick sale
Replies: 6
Views: 4746

Re: Olympus BH2 Teaching Bridge set for quick sale

I've now decided to offer the bridge equipment FREE, apart from the cost of shipping. They are only taking up valuable office space here and someone, somewhere may be able to make use of them. All the items described earlier are included except the PE eyepiece, I'm keeping that. PM me if interested....
by MikeBradley
Fri Jun 10, 2022 3:50 pm
Forum: Microscopy accessories
Topic: Carl Zeiss Optovar
Replies: 5
Views: 2001

Re: Carl Zeiss Optovar

I opened up the unit and confirmed that this is one of the versions that never had the analyser installed. Disappointing, but the Optovar is still a very nice new addition to my Carl Zeiss kit. Thanks everyone for the advice.
Michael
by MikeBradley
Thu Jun 09, 2022 2:41 am
Forum: Microscopy accessories
Topic: Carl Zeiss Optovar
Replies: 5
Views: 2001

Carl Zeiss Optovar

I just took delivery of this Optovar, it is the 1,1.25,1.6,2 and PH version. There is no Analyser and the thumbwheel appears to be a single layer. I have been unable to find this particular version in any of the manuals that I own so any relevant documentation or links would be most welcome. I do ha...
by MikeBradley
Mon May 30, 2022 9:45 pm
Forum: Identification help
Topic: ID help - pod like structures
Replies: 3
Views: 1167

Re: ID help - pod like structures

They are Statoblasts! This is part of the life cycle of bryozoans, they are composed of a mass of cells from a colony. Bryozoans have a very interesting life cycle.
Nice image by the way.

Michael
by MikeBradley
Wed May 11, 2022 6:56 am
Forum: Miscellaneous
Topic: Recovered from a stroke
Replies: 21
Views: 3913

Re: Recovered from a stroke

Welcome back Don and take good care of yourself!
Michael
by MikeBradley
Wed May 11, 2022 1:25 am
Forum: Beginner's corner
Topic: safety
Replies: 8
Views: 2113

Re: safety

You can always tell a microscopist, they wash their hands before going to the bathroom.
michael
by MikeBradley
Wed Apr 06, 2022 4:13 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Infor needed for Reichert Neopan
Replies: 0
Views: 639

Infor needed for Reichert Neopan

I just obtained a Neopan that had been configured for polarised Epi illumination. It has 3 Epi objectives (6.3,12.5,32x, 0/np)) and one regular Plan (3.2x), all 210mm. My model doesn’t seem to have had the Bertrand Lens installed for some reason. It's missing the bulb assembly for the illuminator, t...
by MikeBradley
Thu Feb 24, 2022 4:36 pm
Forum: Identification help
Topic: Help with identification please
Replies: 9
Views: 2837

Re: Help with identification please

DrPhoxinus, Charlie, thank you both for the suggestions. The sample does seem to match the descriptions of Cladophera (branching, not tufted, net like chloroplasts). However it also has the tapered filament tips, sometimes acutely so and transparent, of Stigeoclonium. Unfortunately the sample has be...
by MikeBradley
Tue Feb 22, 2022 5:12 pm
Forum: Identification help
Topic: Help with identification please
Replies: 9
Views: 2837

Help with identification please

I found numerous specimens of this specimen in a garden pond sample recently but I'm having trouble identifying it. I can't find anything like it, this small, in my usual guides. I wonder whether someone on the forum may be able to help? The groups were mostly like this one, about 600 microns diamet...
by MikeBradley
Fri Jan 14, 2022 4:53 pm
Forum: Beginner's corner
Topic: How do you use this kind of head?
Replies: 14
Views: 3998

Re: How do you use this kind of head?

Imkap, I use the same selector head shown in your image, but configured differently. In my case I use it on my Standard WL to easily switch between eyepiece, camera or drawing by rotating the drum or pulling the slider. This versatility is great to have in the home lab and also at public outreach ev...
by MikeBradley
Sun Dec 12, 2021 10:27 pm
Forum: Specimens, samples and slides
Topic: Dewaxing
Replies: 7
Views: 2942

Re: Dewaxing

I hoping to use d-Limonene to dilute my stock of Brunel Numount which has become too viscous to use, even when sitting on a coffee cup warmer. As amateur microscopists in Canada, we find it very hard or even impossible to source many useful products by regular mail

Michael
by MikeBradley
Sun Nov 28, 2021 1:00 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Which Reichert model is this?
Replies: 3
Views: 1614

Re: Which Reichert model is this?

Thanks for the identification help wabutter. It has started us off on a journey to locate manuals, accessories etc.
Thanks

Michael
by MikeBradley
Fri Nov 26, 2021 7:10 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Which Reichert model is this?
Replies: 3
Views: 1614

Which Reichert model is this?

A friend picked this unit up at a university sale and we're trying to identify it. It came with:
1. EPi 6,3/0.15 210/0np
2. EPi 12,5/0.25 210/0np
3. EPi 32/0.55 210/0np
4. Plan 3.2/0,08 210/-
We are also puzzled over what the 0np refers to.

Thanks for any help,
Michael
by MikeBradley
Wed Nov 17, 2021 9:13 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Assorted FS mirrors etc available
Replies: 0
Views: 789

Assorted FS mirrors etc available

I was given some items from the estate of Prof. Jim Pawley (Univ. Wisconsin), see below. The rectangular mirrors and plates seem to be unused, the 100m FS mirrors have been used but are in good condition. It seems as though most of the items are from EdmundsScientific. I have no idea what these item...
by MikeBradley
Mon Oct 25, 2021 12:08 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: How to make a lambda wave plate?
Replies: 23
Views: 13217

Re: How to make a lambda wave plate?

The Quekett microscopy club in the UK has supplies available from their shop:
"Wave retarders – £9.20 plus postage
Available as ¼, ½ or full wave retarders in 2-inch squares."

https://www.quekett.org/about/shop

michael