Search found 91 matches

by MichaelBrock
Wed Mar 20, 2019 2:05 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: AO Cycloptic Photo Tube Components
Replies: 45
Views: 19620

Re: AO Cycloptic Photo Tube Components

As you know I'm working on getting this together for my cycloptic as well. I purchased the photo adapter to someone on Facebook (Charles Pifer) and it also did not have the photo tube. I asked him for the dimensions of the one he has: Dimensions: Total length is 62mm. Inside diameter at the top is 2...
by MichaelBrock
Sun Feb 17, 2019 12:38 pm
Forum: Beginner's corner
Topic: How do the newer AO stereo zoom scopes compare to the classic Cycloptic?
Replies: 10
Views: 8905

Re: How do the newer AO stereo zoom scopes compare to the classic Cycloptic?

I sought out a pair of the UWF 15x eyepieces on apochronaut's suggestion as well. I ultimately found a seller on Ebay that was selling single eyepieces paired with a B&L Pod for $55/each. I bought two and let him keep the pods. It was definitely a good upgrade.
by MichaelBrock
Thu Jan 17, 2019 11:01 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Can't center field diaphragm, AO 10
Replies: 6
Views: 4296

Re: Can't center field diaphragm, AO 10

Since you have now adjusted the nosepiece to be concentric with the field diaphragm, you have to now make sure the objective axis is centered with respect to the telan lens in the head and in fact is concentric with the head in general. If you have a broken field diaphragm tension spring, it doesn'...
by MichaelBrock
Wed Jan 16, 2019 5:32 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Can't center field diaphragm, AO 10
Replies: 6
Views: 4296

Re: Can't center field diaphragm, AO 10

Once someone starts to fritter with adjustments( including the mirror) in a school microscope, while achieving little success, all of them might have been put out of line at some point. This is definitely the case. My original plan was a full class set of AO 10 microscopes...but it became apparent ...
by MichaelBrock
Sat Jan 12, 2019 8:58 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Can't center field diaphragm, AO 10
Replies: 6
Views: 4296

Can't center field diaphragm, AO 10

I'm refurbishing another AO 10 microscope for my wife's science class. I have most of it done but one issue is frustrating my attempts to resolve it. When closing down the field diaphragm I cannot center it in the eyepiece view. This is the 1036A illuminator. Adjusting the two screws on each side/fr...
by MichaelBrock
Fri Jan 04, 2019 10:32 pm
Forum: Miscellaneous
Topic: Image of Kemp 8 Test Form
Replies: 6
Views: 5824

Re: Image of Kemp 8 Test Form

Thank you very much! I ordered this very test form just a few days ago and this will prove very useful.
by MichaelBrock
Thu Dec 13, 2018 8:19 pm
Forum: For forum members who want to buy and sell equipment
Topic: Looking for the AO Cycloptic trinocular adapter
Replies: 0
Views: 2346

Looking for the AO Cycloptic trinocular adapter

I'm looking to buy the trinocular adapter for the AO Cycloptic microscope: Trinocular Cycloptic (Photographic Tube Adapter [PTA] - AO No. 638) Anyone happen to have one they are willing to part with? I'm enjoying using my Cylcoptic quite a bit and it would definitely be better suited to taking sand ...
by MichaelBrock
Sun Nov 25, 2018 2:38 am
Forum: Introduce yourself
Topic: New Member from FL
Replies: 6
Views: 5249

Re: New Member from FL

Welcome! Where in Florida? I'm in the Gainesville area. I don't know if there is a restriction on new members uploading images but there is definitely a limit on image size. On both the dimensions and the file size. There should have been an error message at the top of the page when attempting to up...
by MichaelBrock
Sun Nov 18, 2018 1:01 pm
Forum: Specimens, samples and slides
Topic: Embedding in glycerin soap - recipes and experiences?
Replies: 22
Views: 10541

Re: Embedding in glycerin soap - recipes and experiences?

I don't know anything about the use of wax or soap for sectioning but just about every homemade soap these days is glycerin based and the process is simple: https://www.google.com/search?ei=mWHxW6zHK8TBjwTz0KiwBQ&q=homemade+soap+glycerin+base&oq=home+made+soap+glycerin&gs_l=psy-ab.3.0.0i13j0i13i30j0...
by MichaelBrock
Sat Nov 10, 2018 8:54 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Basis question about infinite objectives compatibility
Replies: 9
Views: 5051

Re: Basis question about infinite objectives compatibility

einman, what is your Ebay user name? I'd like to keep an eye on your auctions for things I might "need".
by MichaelBrock
Sat Nov 10, 2018 1:09 pm
Forum: Specimens, samples and slides
Topic: Storing and re-using slides
Replies: 11
Views: 7333

Re: Storing and re-using slides

Someone on the Amateur Microscopy group on Facebook remembered the post:

Equal parts isopropyl alcohol (70%), peroxide, and a drop of dish washing liquid.
by MichaelBrock
Thu Nov 01, 2018 6:03 pm
Forum: Specimens, samples and slides
Topic: Storing and re-using slides
Replies: 11
Views: 7333

Re: Storing and re-using slides

Thanks for the replies. I didn't mean to suggest mixing those particular liquids. Just a vague memory of ingredients....hence my asking here :D
by MichaelBrock
Thu Nov 01, 2018 4:04 pm
Forum: Specimens, samples and slides
Topic: Storing and re-using slides
Replies: 11
Views: 7333

Storing and re-using slides

I use new cleaned slides when making permanent mounts but I do quite a lot of spot-checking of diatom washes, bits of mystery particles around the house, algae, etc. So I tend to re-use those slides and cove slips. When I first started out (which wasn't very long ago) I came across a recommendation ...
by MichaelBrock
Sat Oct 27, 2018 11:29 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: How do you mark an ROI on a permanent slide?
Replies: 17
Views: 7678

Re: How do you mark an ROI on a permanent slide?

I have been pondering the same thing. I have photographed some diatoms on slides and would love to go back and do it again as my skills improve (and with different illuminations). I can typically find the diatom again with some hunting but I'm thinking of getting an AO graduated stage so that I can ...
by MichaelBrock
Sun Oct 21, 2018 9:13 pm
Forum: Specimens, samples and slides
Topic: Of diatoms and air bubbles
Replies: 32
Views: 17568

Re: Of diatoms and air bubbles

My NOA61 slides also have these air bubbles in many of the larger diatoms. I have seen recommendations with other mountants to first wet the slide with a drop of solvent to displace the air bubbles. Not an option here. As you suggest maybe heating to make it less viscous?
by MichaelBrock
Wed Oct 17, 2018 6:04 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: disassembly of Carl Zeiss Jena Amplival phase contrast condenser
Replies: 11
Views: 6762

Re: disassembly of Carl Zeiss Jena Amplival phase contrast condenser

I believe it's called a "pin wrench" or "spanner". If you search for either term you will find some hits here including: http://www.microbehunter.com/microscopy-forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=6030&hilit=pin+wrench and a recent one that I bookmarked: http://www.microbehunter.com/microscopy-forum/viewtopi...
by MichaelBrock
Wed Oct 17, 2018 2:32 pm
Forum: Identification help
Topic: Diatom Identification
Replies: 1
Views: 2445

Diatom Identification

I am looking through slides I made of diatoms collected in brackish water on the St. Johns river near Jacksonsville, FL. I haven't yet managed to identify a single one but it doesn't help that I have been focusing on the more unusual diatoms. I promise I won't ask for help on every one of them (I'm ...
by MichaelBrock
Tue Oct 16, 2018 7:02 pm
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: I have finally found some diatoms
Replies: 14
Views: 6815

Re: I have finally found some diatoms

Nice catch! Is the black circle the edge of a bubble or part of the diatom? A good question. The ring is in all images of the stack and I just assumed that it was just an area of higher density. I had not though about it previously but t would make sense that air could get trapped under the valve. ...
by MichaelBrock
Tue Oct 16, 2018 5:04 pm
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: I have finally found some diatoms
Replies: 14
Views: 6815

Re: I have finally found some diatoms

I am thoroughly enjoying searching through these slides. I have to remind myself that things I find will "be there later". I stumbled upon this guy during my lunch break. I'm reading up on the identification process. Hopefully I'll be able to identify some of these before too long (if for no other r...
by MichaelBrock
Fri Oct 12, 2018 7:39 pm
Forum: Specimens, samples and slides
Topic: Doing Diatoms
Replies: 492
Views: 4860964

Re: Doing Diatoms

I am more than willing to believe that the bubbles are due to my technique (or lack thereof). I have also found that I do have debris in the slide, it's below the diatoms at slide level. I don't know if it was floating while the diatoms sank or if it was on the slide. We'll see if they are there nex...
by MichaelBrock
Fri Oct 12, 2018 2:47 pm
Forum: Specimens, samples and slides
Topic: Doing Diatoms
Replies: 492
Views: 4860964

Re: Doing Diatoms

1. Air bubbles are a problem with all viscous mounting media, including warmed resins. I would hesitate to heat the NOA61 - I suspect that it will shorten its shelf life considerably. Last time I checked, keeping the bottle in the fridge was the way to have it last longer. Good to know. I guess the...
by MichaelBrock
Fri Oct 12, 2018 2:24 pm
Forum: Specimens, samples and slides
Topic: Doing Diatoms
Replies: 492
Views: 4860964

Re: Doing Diatoms

Passing the cover slip through the flame definitely helped. Not perfect, but definitely better. I made two slides with the Norland 61 and had to wait until this morning to expose them to UV (although the small UV flashlight that I had was enough to start the cure and keep the cover slip in place. I'...
by MichaelBrock
Thu Oct 11, 2018 6:39 pm
Forum: Specimens, samples and slides
Topic: Doing Diatoms
Replies: 492
Views: 4860964

Re: Doing Diatoms

Thanks Bob. I can't say that it would have occurred to me but I'll definitely give it a try. I have an alcohol lamp buried somewhere. Hi Michael, your cleaning is probably fine, just add one step: Draw the cover slip quickly with the side you intend to use through the flame of a small alcohol burner...
by MichaelBrock
Thu Oct 11, 2018 6:16 pm
Forum: Specimens, samples and slides
Topic: Doing Diatoms
Replies: 492
Views: 4860964

Re: Doing Diatoms

I'm finally doing diatoms myself! I have cleaned that sample I collected from the St. John's river via the popular HP + Potassium Dichromate technique. Lots of small particles but seems clear of organic material. I'm in the process of making my first permanent slide using a small bit of Norland 61 I...
by MichaelBrock
Tue Oct 09, 2018 6:07 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: AO phase contrast condenser 1240
Replies: 5
Views: 3381

Re: AO phase contrast condenser 1240

Apochronaut, everything you write here is educational and worth reading. Thank you very much for your posts!
by MichaelBrock
Mon Oct 01, 2018 12:46 am
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: I have finally found some diatoms
Replies: 14
Views: 6815

Re: I have finally found some diatoms

The concentrating of the H2O2 is slow going but I think it's working. I ended up ordering some Potassium Dichromate so will go that route. I have asked around but our area apparently has few health food stores and so far I haven't found any that carry 35% or 30% H2O2. If the concentrating process en...
by MichaelBrock
Thu Sep 27, 2018 6:43 pm
Forum: Specimens, samples and slides
Topic: Availability of Zrax mountant
Replies: 13
Views: 10949

Re: Availability of Zrax mountant

I had emailed Klaus Kemp about the availability of Zrax (he was carrying it in Europe) and he verified that Zrax is no longer being made.
by MichaelBrock
Thu Sep 27, 2018 2:05 pm
Forum: Specimens, samples and slides
Topic: Availability of Zrax mountant
Replies: 13
Views: 10949

Re: Availability of Zrax mountant

I have read over your PS-CBO mountant thread a few times and considered that as well. Norland 61 is apparently used with fair frequency in academics to mount diatoms (if the papers linked to from Norland's site are to be believed) and my only worry there is shelf life. Norland themselves put it as "...
by MichaelBrock
Thu Sep 27, 2018 12:06 pm
Forum: Specimens, samples and slides
Topic: Availability of Zrax mountant
Replies: 13
Views: 10949

Re: Availability of Zrax mountant

Ouch. Shipping from diatoms.nl is $30 for a 20ml bottle of Pleurax and they charge an additional $10 in tax. International shipping in and out of the US has gotten ridiculous. I'm not certain I can justify that for a $22 bottle of Pleurax. So I'm off to look into the alternatives, probably back to c...
by MichaelBrock
Thu Sep 27, 2018 11:36 am
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: I have finally found some diatoms
Replies: 14
Views: 6815

Re: I have finally found some diatoms

May I suggest that you rinse the diatoms with DW in between the HCl and H2O2 treatments, two or three times - otherwise the residual HCl will destroy your H2O2. I will definitely do that. Makes sense Following a long, amiable and thorough discussion (thanks to members rnabholz, zzffnn, KurtM, photo...