Search found 209 matches

by farnsy
Thu Jan 12, 2023 4:13 am
Forum: For forum members who want to buy and sell equipment
Topic: For free in DFW: Nikon Eclipse E400 and E600 bodies
Replies: 2
Views: 1145

For free in DFW: Nikon Eclipse E400 and E600 bodies

I moved to a smaller place and need to downsize, so I am giving away these two microscope bodies that were a project I never got around to. http://i.imgur.com/w18mWKtl.jpg http://i.imgur.com/1y3LaA9l.jpg Included is one binocular head in good condition and a riser. At least one condenser (not shown)...
by farnsy
Sat Jul 23, 2022 9:10 pm
Forum: For forum members who want to buy and sell equipment
Topic: For Free in DFW: Various American Optical Microscopes
Replies: 4
Views: 1545

Re: For Free in DFW: Various American Optical Microscopes

Update: Found a good home for all this stuff, so it's gone. Thanks for your interest, everyone!
by farnsy
Tue Jul 12, 2022 9:13 pm
Forum: Microscopy accessories
Topic: One of the best microscopy-related investments I made
Replies: 4
Views: 2100

Re: One of the best microscopy-related investments I made

Here's a little youtube demo: https://youtu.be/DmSKpmcE4eY. I love my box fan filters.
by farnsy
Tue Jul 12, 2022 12:33 am
Forum: Microscopy accessories
Topic: One of the best microscopy-related investments I made
Replies: 4
Views: 2100

Re: One of the best microscopy-related investments I made

I have a box fan and a 20x20 furnace filter (high MERV) set up next to my microscopes for that purpose. Put the filter on the intake side of the fan and it sucks to it so all air that goes through the fan will go through the filter first. The contraption is crazy cheap (and replacement filters and c...
by farnsy
Tue Jul 12, 2022 12:13 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Why isn't phase and darkfield done in the back focal plane of the objective?
Replies: 12
Views: 2144

Why isn't phase and darkfield done in the back focal plane of the objective?

I was rewatching Peter Evennett's delightful lecture in which he does Abbe's experiments ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60_jgZtyR6U ). When he discusses darkfield at 51:41, instead of using a patch stop in the condenser, he uses little film with a tiny dot in the back focal plane of the objective...
by farnsy
Tue Jul 05, 2022 12:30 am
Forum: For forum members who want to buy and sell equipment
Topic: For Free in DFW: Various American Optical Microscopes
Replies: 4
Views: 1545

For Free in DFW: Various American Optical Microscopes

I am getting out of the American Optical game. Just keeping my two favorite microscopes and getting rid of all miscellaneous equipment. The rest I want to give away to someone else. You could put a couple of pretty good scopes together from the parts here, or you could use them to outfit your existi...
by farnsy
Fri Dec 17, 2021 2:42 am
Forum: My microscope
Topic: BestScope BS2081 with Olympus MFT Camera
Replies: 16
Views: 8008

Re: BestScope BS2081 with Olympus MFT Camera

I'm glad this scope is working out for you, Vish! You seemed to have no trouble finding a matching dovetail. Makes me feel a little silly for buying the c-mount adapter from them and then using a c-to-e mount converter. Mine is not height adjustable (though it is very close to parfocal). I have two ...
by farnsy
Fri Dec 17, 2021 2:34 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Motic BA400 - what parts are compatible?
Replies: 3
Views: 1369

Re: Motic BA400 - what parts are compatible?

Yes, the optics are compatible with Olympus' infinity system. Eyepieces should be standard size. I don't know about the condensers and sliders.
by farnsy
Fri Dec 17, 2021 2:32 am
Forum: Beginner's corner
Topic: Viewing Bacteria With Bright-field Microscopy
Replies: 70
Views: 17748

Re: Viewing Bacteria With Bright-field Microscopy

Would DIC be any more useful in seeing detail? It depends on why you can't see the detail. DIC, phase contrast, darkfield, and oblique illumination allow you to see things that you couldn't see otherwise because they are **transparent** when there is a super bright light behind them. We can think o...
by farnsy
Tue Dec 14, 2021 12:08 am
Forum: My microscope
Topic: New scope Olympus with fluorite objectives
Replies: 6
Views: 2847

Re: New scope Olympus with fluorite objectives

Got a great microscope here. Very good choice...excellent features and great options for expansion as well!
by farnsy
Sat Dec 04, 2021 2:54 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Anyone purchased or used the Motic Panthera C2 Microscope?
Replies: 9
Views: 3196

Re: Anyone purchased or used the Motic Panthera C2 Microscope?

I would question how much better the C2 is than something like an AmScope T720 with a quintuple head. Differences would be small unless you get the fluorite objectives.
by farnsy
Sat Nov 27, 2021 7:40 pm
Forum: Beginner's corner
Topic: phase contrast centering eyepiece, really required?
Replies: 23
Views: 9551

Re: phase contrast centering eyepiece, really required?

apochronaut wrote:
Tue Nov 02, 2021 1:43 pm
The rings are very small, and the 100X version very very small, that's why you are having trouble seeing it.
I have a hard time getting a good view of my 100X rings even with the phase telescope. Are there higher magnification telescopes or another convenient workaround to make this job easier?
by farnsy
Mon Nov 01, 2021 2:24 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Agonizing over a BX60
Replies: 29
Views: 8281

Re: Agonizing over a BX60

Lots of goodies on that scope. Congratulations. Bertrand lenses are pretty handy, especially if you end up doing phase at some point.
by farnsy
Sun Oct 31, 2021 2:23 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Agonizing over a BX60
Replies: 29
Views: 8281

Re: Agonizing over a BX60

Sounds like a solid deal to me. Also, almost all generic infinity-corrected objectives from China are compatible with the Olympus system. Shouldn't be hard to find a good 100x for under the budget you suggest. Aliexpress is lousy with them, as I'm sure ebay is as well.
by farnsy
Mon Oct 25, 2021 11:54 pm
Forum: My microscope
Topic: BestScope BS3090 Stereo Zoom Microscope (Nikon SMZ18 clone)
Replies: 10
Views: 3756

Re: BestScope BS3090 Stereo Zoom Microscope (Nikon SMZ18 clone)

That makes perfect sense. 23mm/0.75 = 30.7. Thanks!
by farnsy
Mon Oct 25, 2021 11:07 pm
Forum: My microscope
Topic: BestScope BS3090 Stereo Zoom Microscope (Nikon SMZ18 clone)
Replies: 10
Views: 3756

Re: BestScope BS3090 Stereo Zoom Microscope (Nikon SMZ18 clone)

I talked with the salesperson again and explained a little more what I was wanting. After a couple of days she came back and said that the maximum field number is 30.7mm. I presume that information came from a technician. Although it kind of opened a new question about why the scope comes with 23mm ...
by farnsy
Sun Oct 24, 2021 4:51 pm
Forum: My microscope
Topic: BestScope BS3090 Stereo Zoom Microscope (Nikon SMZ18 clone)
Replies: 10
Views: 3756

Re: BestScope BS3090 Stereo Zoom Microscope (Nikon SMZ18 clone)

I asked the salesperson and they said the field number is 23, but I think they were just looking at the eyepiece field number. You are referring to the maximum the scope itself could handle, right? I'm sorry I don't have better information.
by farnsy
Sun Oct 24, 2021 12:18 am
Forum: My microscope
Topic: BestScope BS3090 Stereo Zoom Microscope (Nikon SMZ18 clone)
Replies: 10
Views: 3756

BestScope BS3090 Stereo Zoom Microscope (Nikon SMZ18 clone)

Quick overview of my BestScope BS3090 stereo microscope. Also known as the "NSZ818." This is a close imitation of the Nikon SMZ18 microscope, from what I can tell. The aesthetics are a little different than is pictured on the website, but the performance is what you would expect from a modern CMO zo...
by farnsy
Sat Oct 23, 2021 8:45 pm
Forum: Microscopy accessories
Topic: Best practices and construction for dust covers
Replies: 39
Views: 26307

Re: Best practices and construction for dust covers

Anyone have thoughts on why Zeiss recommends 2 plastic bags and a cover?
by farnsy
Sat Oct 23, 2021 4:15 am
Forum: Microscopy accessories
Topic: Best practices and construction for dust covers
Replies: 39
Views: 26307

Re: Best practices and construction for dust covers

But I think calcium chloride is much safer than silica gel in this respect. From what I've read, calcium chloride can absorb much larger amounts of water and holds on to it, while silica gel absorbs much less and its action degrades rapidly as it accumulates water and there's a much greater danger ...
by farnsy
Mon Oct 18, 2021 6:33 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: 1980's Nikon vs Olympus - Why did the BH2 win?
Replies: 28
Views: 7953

Re: 1980's Nikon vs Olympus - Why did the BH2 win?

Adjusting for inflation, that means you could pick up a photomicrography-ready Olympus scope for right about $5000 today. Based on what I know about the pricing of current entry level infinity-corrected systems, that seems like a pretty darn good deal for a reputable manufacturer! That sounds more-...
by farnsy
Sun Oct 17, 2021 7:50 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: 1980's Nikon vs Olympus - Why did the BH2 win?
Replies: 28
Views: 7953

Re: 1980's Nikon vs Olympus - Why did the BH2 win?

I'm interested in the data/statistics used to form the conclusion that Olympus did better than Nikon in that era, or now. I'm not necessarily doubting it, but I would like to see the evidence or anecdotes. In the microscope world, there seem to be geographic pockets of brand loyalty. Our perception ...
by farnsy
Tue Oct 12, 2021 2:49 am
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: The birth of a Rotifer
Replies: 9
Views: 2591

Re: The birth of a Rotifer

Holy cow, what a great event! Way to be patient and really capture something cool.

I mean, that kind of thing must happen all the time given the number of rotifers around, but I've never seen it, much less captured it on video.
by farnsy
Mon Oct 11, 2021 5:35 am
Forum: Microscopy accessories
Topic: Best practices and construction for dust covers
Replies: 39
Views: 26307

Best practices and construction for dust covers

I would like to up my dust-cover game. Right now my microscopes sit under one of the basic solutions you see a lot of: (1) the vinyl covers that tend to come with microscopes (2) the nylon fabric covers that sometimes come with microscopes (3) clear trash bags like are used in commercial application...
by farnsy
Wed Oct 06, 2021 8:23 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: LW Scientific "Innovation" vs Amscope "T720" - Any Difference?
Replies: 20
Views: 5469

Re: LW Scientific "Innovation" vs Amscope "T720" - Any Difference?

Maybe it's just me but I'd definitely go for the quintuple version. In my opinion, there's a lot of usability difference between 4 and 5 objectives. Love that 20X magnification (or 60X, if you prefer)!
by farnsy
Wed Oct 06, 2021 5:03 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: LW Scientific "Innovation" vs Amscope "T720" - Any Difference?
Replies: 20
Views: 5469

Re: LW Scientific "Innovation" vs Amscope "T720" - Any Difference?

It seems to me that you understand the situation very well. I think those are exactly the same scope, with different labels on them. I don't think AmScope nor LW assemble them. They just buy from a factory that throws the label on them before shipping. That particular microscope is available under q...
by farnsy
Tue Oct 05, 2021 3:48 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Optical Quality of inexpensive objectives
Replies: 21
Views: 7217

Re: Optical Quality of inexpensive objectives

microscopesindia wrote:
Tue Oct 05, 2021 10:35 am
AmScope doesn't sell this microscope, from what I can tell, but EuroMex sells it and will apparently even sell it with DIC. It has become a strange business, for sure.
AmScope and EuroMex are the same company. I don't know why they treat their European (and apparently Indian) customers better.
by farnsy
Wed Sep 22, 2021 3:44 pm
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: First try with Rheinberg illumination
Replies: 5
Views: 1657

Re: First try with Rheinberg illumination

What are other methods? I have a laser color printer, would that be better? Best is if you can construct it out if something transparent that doesn't diffuse the light (at least the center bit) like a photography gel or colored plastic. Printed Rheinberg patches tend to diffuse the light, causing m...