Search found 4283 matches
- Thu Nov 09, 2023 9:31 am
- Forum: Illumination Techniques
- Topic: autoflorescence
- Replies: 9
- Views: 6532
Re: autoflorescence
Fluorescence microscopy requires a strong illuminating (say, blue) beam and a VERY efficient long pass filter that passes ONLY the (say, green, yellow, red) weak fluorescence. Why would you be using a blue light, instead of a UV light? Not only would UV be easier to block, but wouldn't it also crea...
- Wed Nov 08, 2023 11:34 pm
- Forum: Illumination Techniques
- Topic: autoflorescence
- Replies: 9
- Views: 6532
Re: autoflorescence
Highly unlikely in a "standard" trans-illuminated microscope. Some internet sites have advocated sort of DIY epi-illumination arrangements on such microscopes, like a diagonal excitation LED beam (from above) combined with a long-pass filter on the eyepiece, etc. I am afraid that most of them are ov...
- Sat Nov 04, 2023 8:50 pm
- Forum: Microscopes and optics
- Topic: Zeiss Phase Contrast Condenser question
- Replies: 6
- Views: 2264
Re: Zeiss Phase Contrast Condenser question
When I disassembled the condenser a tiny metal ball fell out. I assume it is for indexing the turret because without it the turret turns freely. Unfortunately I don't see an obvious place for the ball, suggestions greatly appreciated. I am missing the knob and bracket shown in the last picture abov...
- Sat Nov 04, 2023 10:20 am
- Forum: Illumination Techniques
- Topic: Correct position of darkfield/oblique patch stop in relation to condenser?
- Replies: 5
- Views: 2393
Re: Correct position of darkfield/oblique patch stop in relation to condenser?
That sucks; its manual mentions filters... To be fair, it *does* come with filters, they just intend them to go here: ... The marked position is designed only for filters (e.g.polarizer) that completely pass the entire diameter of the illumination beam. The ideal place for a patch-stop is as close ...
- Wed Nov 01, 2023 3:02 pm
- Forum: Microscopes and optics
- Topic: Reassembly of the leaves of the field diaphragm of a Zeiss PM3
- Replies: 4
- Views: 1410
Re: Reassembly of the leaves of the field diaphragm of a Zeiss PM3
This may help some, maybe see #8 (or #18 ?) of the following previous post:
Re: Help needed - 1) Faulty phase contrast, 2) re-assembly of field diaphragm leaves Zeiss standards
Often questions about Zeiss are answered in detail on the German forum.
Re: Help needed - 1) Faulty phase contrast, 2) re-assembly of field diaphragm leaves Zeiss standards
Often questions about Zeiss are answered in detail on the German forum.
- Tue Oct 31, 2023 3:57 pm
- Forum: Microscopes and optics
- Topic: Help with cleaning / restoring second hand Olympus BX40
- Replies: 27
- Views: 20141
Re: Help with cleaning / restoring second hand Olympus BX40
Bravo for the great job !
- Thu Oct 26, 2023 1:26 pm
- Forum: Microscopes and optics
- Topic: Question about Zeiss PM3 field diaphragm
- Replies: 1
- Views: 1000
Re: Question about Zeiss PM3 field diaphragm
The plastic diaphragms are somewhat of a later generation. The very first ones on the standard were all metal. Moreover they had more leaves (11 I think) than the plastic ones. The three screws are tiny and one needs a screwdriver that exactly fits the slots, otherwise they are easily stripped and d...
- Mon Oct 23, 2023 7:26 pm
- Forum: Microscopes and optics
- Topic: Help with cleaning / restoring second hand Olympus BX40
- Replies: 27
- Views: 20141
Re: Help with cleaning / restoring second hand Olympus BX40
Why not prepare or find a stiff cardboard pipe, that has a perfectly straight end, of a diameter just slightly less than that of the lens; pass the pipe through the lower part of the eyepiece; support the lens on that end and slowly lower the pipe until the lens reaches its proper position. To preve...
- Mon Oct 23, 2023 7:20 pm
- Forum: Pictures and Videos
- Topic: Fossil diatom from Oamaru
- Replies: 33
- Views: 33740
Re: Fossil diatom from Oamaru
Fascinating images, hkv.
- Mon Oct 23, 2023 7:15 pm
- Forum: Microscopes and optics
- Topic: 6 cent coverslips vs 24 cent coverslips
- Replies: 3
- Views: 1365
Re: 6 cent coverslips vs 24 cent coverslips
I'm curious if anybody can comment on the photo-optical benefits of high end coverslips vs lower cost coverslips. I'm looking to order the more expensive #1.5 Schot coverslips listed as .16 to .19 mm thickness, but not sure if my camera will see an improvement. I understand that the DPlan objective...
- Thu Oct 05, 2023 4:43 pm
- Forum: Microscopes and optics
- Topic: On holiday at at St.Lawrence River, microscope info requested
- Replies: 14
- Views: 2821
Re: On holiday at at St.Lawrence River, microscope info requested
Charlie, the KF Junior is fairly similar to my GFL. Those original incandescent illuminators are indeed 6V 15W and come with that old-looking "Trafo" control box. The light is yellow. IMHO, they are not sufficiently bright (except for brightfield mode). I replaced mine by LED fixtures - the later of...
- Mon Oct 02, 2023 7:40 am
- Forum: Microscopes and optics
- Topic: Zeiss Objective Disassembly
- Replies: 8
- Views: 1980
Re: Zeiss Objective Disassembly
Well I have tried numerous methods so far, including with the addition of penetrating oil down in the groove, and this thing just absolutely will not budge. I think I'd need an F1 wheel gun to have a hope. Maybe someone disassembled it before me and covered the threads in loctite. I guess if I ever...
- Sat Sep 30, 2023 7:39 pm
- Forum: Microscopes and optics
- Topic: Zeiss Objective Disassembly
- Replies: 8
- Views: 1980
Re: Zeiss Objective Disassembly
This post of ~ a year ago:
Re: Zeiss achroplan stuck
#14 Post by apochronaut » Mon Jul 25, 2022 10:51 am
Helped me a lot. Using two genuine leather straps, I managed to disassemble a stuck old Zeiss objective.
Re: Zeiss achroplan stuck
#14 Post by apochronaut » Mon Jul 25, 2022 10:51 am
Helped me a lot. Using two genuine leather straps, I managed to disassemble a stuck old Zeiss objective.
- Tue Sep 26, 2023 7:21 pm
- Forum: Pictures and Videos
- Topic: Lab spinel up close
- Replies: 5
- Views: 1087
- Tue Sep 26, 2023 7:14 pm
- Forum: Beginner's corner
- Topic: Unable to clean residue from objective lens
- Replies: 11
- Views: 2759
Re: Unable to clean residue from objective lens
A few more tips if I may: First step, prior to anything else, deliver a jet of clean room air on the lens, from a rubber air dust blower pump for photography. Look for remaining dust particles, if necessary remove them by very gentle wiping using a very soft brush (again, a photography accessory). T...
- Sun Sep 24, 2023 7:38 am
- Forum: Pictures and Videos
- Topic: Crystal Surfaces Are Awesome!
- Replies: 5
- Views: 756
Re: Crystal Surfaces Are Awesome!
Very nice setup and images !
- Sat Sep 23, 2023 1:24 pm
- Forum: Camera systems and imaging
- Topic: Old Zeiss documentation at Zeiss.com
- Replies: 3
- Views: 1340
Re: Old Zeiss documentation at Zeiss.com
If I do a Google search for "end-of-service site:zeiss.com/content/dam/Microscopy/us/download/pdf" I get a list of 57 documents. I don't know if that is complete, but it seems like a small number. Any other ideas? My Google search for the same key sentence only showed 42 separate items, not arrange...
- Thu Sep 21, 2023 8:06 pm
- Forum: Specimens, samples and slides
- Topic: Steel shims for permanent slides
- Replies: 2
- Views: 1456
Re: Steel shims for permanent slides
An important topic IMHO. I was interested in the same for mounting thick diatoms, to preserve their 3D structure. I bought 0.1mm and 0.2mm thick shim rings, OD ~ 18mm. The glue adds thickness. Moreover, the glue which is used to initially attach the coverslip to the slide must withstand the conditio...
- Thu Sep 21, 2023 8:17 am
- Forum: Camera systems and imaging
- Topic: Zeiss AxioCam HRc - Worth the bother?
- Replies: 30
- Views: 27644
Re: Zeiss AxioCam HRc - Worth the bother?
A skimpy Google search has brought the name Henry Pinkard (@henrypinkard) (allegedly - for a device driver for old Axiocams) and the software micro-manager (unknown to me). Edit: I see that MM is an ImageJ application. It is configurable and "Axiocam" is included in its list of cameras. Admit that M...
- Sat Sep 16, 2023 7:38 am
- Forum: Specimens, samples and slides
- Topic: Practical applications
- Replies: 8
- Views: 2174
Re: Practical applications
Stereo microscope: - splinters - differentiation between ordinary garden ants and the tiny monstrous fire ants - re-connecting fallen parts of spectacle frames, like the nose pads and earpieces; handling those tiny screws Compound scope: identification of lice and lice eggs around (happily, only sel...
- Thu Sep 14, 2023 9:38 am
- Forum: Microscopes and optics
- Topic: Freeing Slideways that are frozen.
- Replies: 9
- Views: 2977
Re: Freeing Slideways that are frozen.
Heptane or Octane has worked for me without heating.
Even Immersion oil Type A can soften dried oil-based paint, if left on it for a day or two.
The flame of the butane pencil torch is incredibly hot (for example - can soften and bend a glass tube in 2 seconds. I think that a hair dryer is safer.
Even Immersion oil Type A can soften dried oil-based paint, if left on it for a day or two.
The flame of the butane pencil torch is incredibly hot (for example - can soften and bend a glass tube in 2 seconds. I think that a hair dryer is safer.
- Mon Sep 11, 2023 2:15 pm
- Forum: Microscopes and optics
- Topic: Help with cleaning / restoring second hand Olympus BX40
- Replies: 27
- Views: 20141
Re: Help with cleaning / restoring second hand Olympus BX40
Some types of old oil or grease, that survive isopropanol, can be removed with heptane or octane (or a similar hydrocarbon from a Pharmacy). Do not try acetone - it can damage optical cements. Try to blow away all dust and solid particles especially from inside-tube surfaces. One advantage of the BX...
- Thu Sep 07, 2023 7:19 am
- Forum: Camera systems and imaging
- Topic: Zeiss AxioCam HRc - Worth the bother?
- Replies: 30
- Views: 27644
Re: Zeiss AxioCam HRc - Worth the bother?
Yes, RobBerdan's article is great and enjoyable. But I was really thinking of the cooling and sensitivity features rather than the number of pixels and type of interface. And I think these features were not specifically compared. On eBay I see a current Risingcam "1.4MP USB3.0 SONY ICX825AQA CCD sen...
- Wed Sep 06, 2023 10:12 pm
- Forum: Camera systems and imaging
- Topic: Zeiss AxioCam HRc - Worth the bother?
- Replies: 30
- Views: 27644
Re: Zeiss AxioCam HRc - Worth the bother?
The Axiocam HR, as far as I can judge from its list of features, is a superb camera even vs today's standards. It has a 1.3mp sensor which can do sensor shifting to achieve 13mp. That was a huge deal in 2001 but today not so much. There are some Chinese microscope cameras with 1" sensors which have...
- Wed Sep 06, 2023 11:01 am
- Forum: Camera systems and imaging
- Topic: Zeiss AxioCam HRc - Worth the bother?
- Replies: 30
- Views: 27644
Re: Zeiss AxioCam HRc - Worth the bother?
The Axiocam HR, as far as I can judge from its list of features, is a superb camera even vs today's standards. Its claimed performance is way above that of common "inexpensive" Chinese microscope cameras sold for 500-1000USD. So I would definitely prefer it over modern cameras, but there are three i...
- Sat Sep 02, 2023 9:42 pm
- Forum: Resources (online, books etc.)
- Topic: rapid-tome, 3d printed microtome
- Replies: 4
- Views: 16317
Re: rapid-tome, 3d printed microtome
Some notes after I finished printing all the parts: Printing is pretty straight-forward (I used 0.2mm layer height), some part requires supports but it is easy to remove them. Only the small section catcher part has thin walls so it can get broken. The largest part is sled, the text over the it mak...
- Fri Sep 01, 2023 9:32 pm
- Forum: About the website, the magazine and this forum
- Topic: internal server error
- Replies: 4
- Views: 16586
Re: internal server error
In the past couple of weeks, the Internal Server Error notice has become real nuisance.
- Fri Sep 01, 2023 9:27 pm
- Forum: Specimens, samples and slides
- Topic: How best to clean slides for thin blood smears ??
- Replies: 7
- Views: 16733
Re: How best to clean slides for thin blood smears ??
Speaking from experience, though not from blood smears. To start with, slides should be clean right out of the box. Not all newly purchased slides are such. Specifically, old slides that were not properly packed might be damaged by corrosion. Slides do have an expiry date. I bought Menzel-Glaser Sup...
- Wed Aug 30, 2023 8:06 pm
- Forum: Pictures and Videos
- Topic: Fool’s Gold (Pyrite)
- Replies: 2
- Views: 460
Re: Fool’s Gold (Pyrite)
Lovely family and amusing presentation !
Pirates have always been popular among children.
Pirates have always been popular among children.
- Tue Aug 29, 2023 3:29 pm
- Forum: Illumination Techniques
- Topic: dark field condenser NA
- Replies: 13
- Views: 17281
Re: dark field condenser NA
... There is another system that works well for low N.A. and magnification DF.. That involves using 100X and 40X phase diaphragms as DF stops for 10X and 4X objectives. I don't know if that works for all phase systems but it does for the infinity one, I use... The 100X phase diaphragm serves as DF ...