Search found 184 matches

by TonyT
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...
by TonyT
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...
by TonyT
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...
by TonyT
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 ...
by TonyT
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'
by TonyT
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
by TonyT
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...
by TonyT
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.
Olympus-phototube-for-BH2.jpg
Olympus-phototube-for-BH2.jpg (152.16 KiB) Viewed 3050 times
by TonyT
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.
by TonyT
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
by TonyT
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
by TonyT
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.
by TonyT
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.
head 1024px.jpg
head 1024px.jpg (320.98 KiB) Viewed 338 times
by TonyT
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...
by TonyT
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,
setup=slide-photos.jpg
setup=slide-photos.jpg (112.28 KiB) Viewed 1726 times
by TonyT
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 ...
by TonyT
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...
by TonyT
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!
by TonyT
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. ...
by TonyT
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.
spider face.jpg
spider face.jpg (132.79 KiB) Viewed 1106 times
by TonyT
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.
louse sept 2023.jpg
louse sept 2023.jpg (178.97 KiB) Viewed 1360 times
by TonyT
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...
by TonyT
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....
by TonyT
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...
by TonyT
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...
by TonyT
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.
by TonyT
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
by TonyT
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.