Search found 184 matches
- Fri Feb 16, 2024 6:31 pm
- Forum: Specimens, samples and slides
- Topic: Dry Mounted Insect
- Replies: 6
- Views: 1051
Re: Dry Mounted Insect
A desiccant would not help, no effect on the lipids; would cause more problems. If the insect is dry when mounted then moisture not a problem, cell is sealed. Another way would be to remove all the lipids before mounting, soaking in acetone (or something similar) for about 24 hrs would work. Acetone...
- Fri Feb 16, 2024 2:05 pm
- Forum: Specimens, samples and slides
- Topic: Dry Mounted Insect
- Replies: 6
- Views: 1051
Re: Dry Mounted Insect
Excellent. Just one suggestion. Over time the oils/fats in the wasp will vaporize and condense on to the cover slip; a slow process but you would likely start seeing it on the coverslip within a year; it gets worse! The solution is to mount the coverslip with a water-soluble glue so that when it get...
- Mon Feb 12, 2024 9:48 pm
- Forum: Specimens, samples and slides
- Topic: patterns in nature
- Replies: 0
- Views: 649
patterns in nature
Top: underside of a birch tree bracket fungus showing the numerous pores through which spores are released. Image from a full-frame Nikon D810 camera which has a 36 x 24 mm sensor. With a 1x magnifying lens this object fills the frame (horizontally). The original image is 7360 x 4912 pixels @ 300 pp...
- Mon Jan 29, 2024 9:02 pm
- Forum: Specimens, samples and slides
- Topic: simple well-slide
- Replies: 0
- Views: 712
simple well-slide
A temporary well-slide (cavity slide) can be made using dental wax available from a drug store (chemist). My sample had 5 cylinders of wax, each 4.5 cm long by 5 mm diameter. A cylinder can be shaped into a ring, warm it in hands and then bend. Press the ring onto a slide, warm gently to soften and ...
- Fri Jan 05, 2024 3:41 pm
- Forum: Specimens, samples and slides
- Topic: How to best photograph parasitoid wasp collection for ID
- Replies: 6
- Views: 5946
Re: How to best photograph parasitoid wasp collection for ID
Although I have never used the technique. 'critical point drying' seems to best the best way with such specimens.
Lots of references on 'Google'
Lots of references on 'Google'
- Sat Dec 23, 2023 2:28 pm
- Forum: Beginner's corner
- Topic: Tools for dissecting really tiny spiders and insects
- Replies: 6
- Views: 4040
Re: Tools for dissecting really tiny spiders and insects
Simpler to mount the entire subject
LINK
LINK
- Sat Dec 23, 2023 2:21 pm
- Forum: Illumination Techniques
- Topic: Experience with µstuff's Flashgun Microscope Adapter.
- Replies: 3
- Views: 1423
Re: Experience with µstuff's Flashgun Microscope Adapter.
Not sure if this helps but I use a Nikon flash on my BHS. I remove the BHS's box surrounding the bulb; leave lamp as is. Lay the flash horizontal pointing at the bulb Control the flash duration wirelessy through my D810 Use the BHS lamp to focus, turn it off and use flash to expose; use live view to...
- Mon Dec 18, 2023 1:57 pm
- Forum: My microscope
- Topic: Olympus BH2 phototube
- Replies: 1
- Views: 3050
Olympus BH2 phototube
I just replaced my clumsy home-made system (worked fine; cheap as I already had all the parts) with this Zooming helicoid phototube from DealCorner.
Not cheap, but excellent quality.
Not cheap, but excellent quality.
- Mon Dec 04, 2023 1:40 pm
- Forum: Miscellaneous
- Topic: Private Messages are not being send
- Replies: 4
- Views: 965
Re: Private Messages are not being send
My understanding is that they are sent, but they do not show as 'sent' until the recipient opens them. They are siting unopened in their mail boxes.
- Thu Nov 23, 2023 1:11 pm
- Forum: Illumination Techniques
- Topic: DIC with Leitz Wetzlar Dialux
- Replies: 18
- Views: 6263
Re: DIC with Leitz Wetzlar Dialux
Hi Frank,
I have several parts including a 402a
see viewtopic.php?f=16&t=17970&p=138168&hil ... ux#p138168
PM me, prices negotiable
I have several parts including a 402a
see viewtopic.php?f=16&t=17970&p=138168&hil ... ux#p138168
PM me, prices negotiable
- Wed Nov 22, 2023 5:16 pm
- Forum: Illumination Techniques
- Topic: DIC with Leitz Wetzlar Dialux
- Replies: 18
- Views: 6263
Re: DIC with Leitz Wetzlar Dialux
_PM sent
- Wed Nov 15, 2023 9:54 pm
- Forum: Introduce yourself
- Topic: Hello from Manitoba!
- Replies: 8
- Views: 2576
Re: Hello from Manitoba!
Hi,
I have an Olympus BH2/BHS DIC system that is available; shipping within Canada should not be too bad, also, no taxes!
I just checked the prices on ebay - wow! I could do a lot better.
PM me if interested.
I have an Olympus BH2/BHS DIC system that is available; shipping within Canada should not be too bad, also, no taxes!
I just checked the prices on ebay - wow! I could do a lot better.
PM me if interested.
- Thu Oct 19, 2023 6:43 pm
- Forum: Pictures and Videos
- Topic: Jumping Spider: head
- Replies: 0
- Views: 338
Jumping Spider: head
Synageles venator
note the 2 large eyes at the back of the head, 2 smaller ones about one-half way, and huge eyes up front.
note the 2 large eyes at the back of the head, 2 smaller ones about one-half way, and huge eyes up front.
- Wed Oct 18, 2023 4:21 pm
- Forum: Specimens, samples and slides
- Topic: Finally - an OK X-section
- Replies: 1
- Views: 1690
Finally - an OK X-section
I have been having difficulty sectioning plant tissue; air bubbles in the vessels prevented wax infiltration. So, thought I would try a subject without air-trapping vessels. A small earthworm fixed in Bouin's Fluid, dehyrated in alcohol, soaked in xylene, embedded in wax. Essentially one hollow tube...
- Tue Oct 17, 2023 12:37 pm
- Forum: Illumination Techniques
- Topic: best lighting for entomolocal slides+ coverslip photography?
- Replies: 9
- Views: 1920
Re: best lighting for entomolocal slides+ coverslip photography?
A standard North American disposable drinking cup.
Can be easily cut to any length,
Can be easily cut to any length,
- Mon Oct 16, 2023 2:31 pm
- Forum: Illumination Techniques
- Topic: best lighting for entomolocal slides+ coverslip photography?
- Replies: 9
- Views: 1920
Re: best lighting for entomolocal slides+ coverslip photography?
Yes, most of my slide-mounted insects are with top (reflected) light. I use flashes @ 1/250 second to prevent any blurring caused by movement. Also, I take several exposures at different focus levels and then combine them into one image using Zerene Stacker. You can see some of my images, including ...
- Mon Oct 16, 2023 12:27 pm
- Forum: Illumination Techniques
- Topic: best lighting for entomolocal slides+ coverslip photography?
- Replies: 9
- Views: 1920
Re: best lighting for entomolocal slides+ coverslip photography?
I must admit I was surprised by your question; the problem of light reflection from a coverglass has been solved many times. Ping pong ball, styrofoam cup, tissue paper etc. I have used a styrofoam cup to surround the slide, 2 flashes at about 45 degrees; thousands of moth genitalia images and never...
- Sun Oct 15, 2023 9:48 pm
- Forum: Illumination Techniques
- Topic: best lighting for entomolocal slides+ coverslip photography?
- Replies: 9
- Views: 1920
Re: best lighting for entomolocal slides+ slip cover photography?
You could light from below as done with compound 'scopes- never get reflections!
- Sun Oct 15, 2023 9:45 pm
- Forum: Morphology and Behavior
- Topic: Crane Fly larva
- Replies: 0
- Views: 2368
Crane Fly larva
The spiracle disc of a terrestrial larva, at the posterior end of the abdomen. These are somewhat simple in terrestrial larvae; in the aquatic species they get bizzare. Full image: Olympus BHS:10x objecive,1.25x intermediate tube, 2.5x projection eyepiece. Spiracle: as above but with 40x objective. ...
- Sat Oct 07, 2023 2:49 pm
- Forum: Digital processing
- Topic: When 2 is not enough
- Replies: 0
- Views: 1106
When 2 is not enough
Portrait of a tiny Ground Crab Spider (Fam: Thomisidae; Xysticus sp.). Note, the large lateral eyes are raised on tubercles.
Extracted from forest leaf litter.
20x Nikon M Plan on bellows. 108 frames @ 2µ stacked with Zerene.
Extracted from forest leaf litter.
20x Nikon M Plan on bellows. 108 frames @ 2µ stacked with Zerene.
- Wed Oct 04, 2023 11:29 pm
- Forum: Illumination Techniques
- Topic: Louse under 3 lighting methods
- Replies: 2
- Views: 1360
Louse under 3 lighting methods
Olympus BHS, NFK 2.5, Nikon 4x objective, Olympus polarizing set:
brightfield, dark field with polarizers, brightfield with polarizers.
Length 1.86 mm, mounted in Euparal; not treated with KOH.
brightfield, dark field with polarizers, brightfield with polarizers.
Length 1.86 mm, mounted in Euparal; not treated with KOH.
- Fri Sep 22, 2023 2:46 pm
- Forum: Specimens, samples and slides
- Topic: Steel shims for permanent slides
- Replies: 2
- Views: 1206
Re: Steel shims for permanent slides
Using a 'ring' is a standard method, but is usually needed only for thick (often dry) specimens. One UK company sells 18mm diam., 3mm thick aluminum rings for making a 'well-slide'. Specimens less than 1mm thick don't require a 'ring'. However, 'rings' of almost any depth can be made using a ringing...
- Wed Sep 20, 2023 8:54 pm
- Forum: For forum members who want to buy and sell equipment
- Topic: Leitz Orthoplan/Ortholux II parts for sale
- Replies: 9
- Views: 2388
Re: Leitz Orthoplan/Ortholux II parts for sale
Ortholux II added to title
- Fri Sep 15, 2023 4:54 pm
- Forum: For forum members who want to buy and sell equipment
- Topic: Leitz Orthoplan/Ortholux II parts for sale
- Replies: 9
- Views: 2388
Re: UPDATE
These parts are from an Ortholux II The 402a is now fully functional, very clean. Comes with centering keys for the phase rings, work fine. Flip top also works fine. 402a is mounted on a bracket that fits the dovetails on the rotating stage. 402a in now in Canada, I will share (50:50) shipping cost....
- Mon Jul 31, 2023 12:22 pm
- Forum: Beginner's corner
- Topic: Mount insect to pose for photography
- Replies: 12
- Views: 2074
Re: Mount insect to pose for photography
Two views of my paired goniometers. Instead of a single piece of horizontal foam I actually use a L-shaped piece. Top: back view showing the top goniometer angled at 10 degrees, bottom goniometer at 0 degrees. Bottom: shows the top goniometer angled away from the front (at 10 degrees); bottom goniom...
- Sun Jul 30, 2023 3:12 pm
- Forum: Beginner's corner
- Topic: Mount insect to pose for photography
- Replies: 12
- Views: 2074
Re: Mount insect to pose for photography
To get an accurate alignment it is best to use 2 goniometers. White foam on top of the upper goniometer. For a lateral shot use a headless insect pin (recent pins have a nylon head, use a flame (match) to remove it, pushed halfway into the bug, pin into the foam. I bought 2 (a long time ago) and the...
- Thu Jul 20, 2023 2:06 pm
- Forum: Microscopy accessories
- Topic: Making glass knives from microscope slides
- Replies: 6
- Views: 1896
Re: Making glass knives from microscope slides
A long time ago I saw a university researcher make microtome knives by whacking a piece of plate glass with a hammer. It shattered into many pieces, several of which had very thin and sharp edges.
- Sun Jul 16, 2023 4:33 pm
- Forum: Microscopes and optics
- Topic: Developing a course on microscope use
- Replies: 16
- Views: 12301
Re: Developing a course on microscope use
Your welcome to use them, use ©AW Thomas
May be a good idea to rotate the full-sized image (if needed) to correspond to the leg images
May be a good idea to rotate the full-sized image (if needed) to correspond to the leg images
- Sun Jul 16, 2023 3:07 pm
- Forum: Microscopes and optics
- Topic: Developing a course on microscope use
- Replies: 16
- Views: 12301
- Sun Jun 25, 2023 12:00 pm
- Forum: Microscopy accessories
- Topic: Cambridge Rocker for Botanical sections
- Replies: 2
- Views: 1110
Re: Cambridge Rocker for Botanical sections
My biggest problem is with wax infiltration - air spaces in plant vessels. Thinking I, and you, might need a vacuum oven.