Search found 3200 matches

by zzffnn
Sat Oct 28, 2023 5:59 pm
Forum: Miscellaneous
Topic: Fast curing super glue with minimal fumes
Replies: 9
Views: 3063

Re: Fast curing super glue with minimal fumes

Great idea, Pete!! That way (even if I use cheap fuming) super glue will not ever touch any glass element. I will execute your idea. I just tried a RMS extender that I have and both halves of it can be used. I am lucky in that working part of my iris can be pressed and glued into both halves of the ...
by zzffnn
Sat Oct 28, 2023 2:04 pm
Forum: Miscellaneous
Topic: Fast curing super glue with minimal fumes
Replies: 9
Views: 3063

Re: Fast curing super glue with minimal fumes

Thank you very much, PeteM. I am joining a DIY Davis Shutter or nosepiece iris to a regular RMS objective. The objective has glass element very close to the junction. Masking was the first thing I thought about, but it would not work because once junction is sealed, glass element would not be access...
by zzffnn
Sat Oct 28, 2023 1:48 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Nikon Fluor 40x frozen collar + front element
Replies: 18
Views: 8899

Re: Nikon Fluor 40x frozen collar + front element

I don’t have the exact objective and don’t remember exactly how I released my objective iris or correction collar. I did it successfully with two objectives and have not destroyed any. I think what I did was either applying 2-3 tiny drops of xylene by micro pipette or heating, then turning by force....
by zzffnn
Sat Oct 28, 2023 4:48 am
Forum: Miscellaneous
Topic: Fast curing super glue with minimal fumes
Replies: 9
Views: 3063

Fast curing super glue with minimal fumes

Hello, fellow microscopists. I am looking for a fast curing super glue that produces minimal fumes. Regular super glue fumes and often leave some white marks on optics. In my application, I cannot wipe off the white fume marks once glue is cured. So I require very low fuming / gassing. I think E6000...
by zzffnn
Sat Oct 28, 2023 4:35 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Tube length of Nikon M20 0.40 and Olympus MPlan 40 LWD 0.55
Replies: 1
Views: 568

Tube length of Nikon M20 0.40 and Olympus MPlan 40 LWD 0.55

Hello, fellow microscopists, I have a Nikon M20 0.40 and an Olympus MPlan 40 LWD 0.55 and would like to know their appropriate tube length (should they be using 210 mm tube length)? Other possibilities are 190mm or 240mm; I am guessing they do not infinity tube length. My Nikon looks like the same a...
by zzffnn
Thu Oct 26, 2023 2:54 pm
Forum: Illumination Techniques
Topic: Darkfield condenser
Replies: 4
Views: 1344

Re: Darkfield condenser

For wider field coverage, DIY darkfield will work: get a typical Abbe condenser, remove its top lens element, keep its lower lens element, and put a coin at back focal plane of its lower lens. If I remember correctly, this will cover view field of 4x objective. For even wider field, such as 2x objec...
by zzffnn
Thu Oct 26, 2023 6:19 am
Forum: Illumination Techniques
Topic: Phase eyepiece/telescope
Replies: 15
Views: 2722

Re: Phase eyepiece/telescope

If your eye sights are good, you can simply remove an eyepiece and squint into the empty tube. Centering telescope is not always needed. I can get phase contrast without CT, but CT is convenient and comfortable to use (such that I do not have to squint).
by zzffnn
Thu Oct 26, 2023 6:14 am
Forum: Illumination Techniques
Topic: Darkfield condenser
Replies: 4
Views: 1344

Re: Darkfield condenser

The dry (air spaced, without needing to oil condenser top lens) 0.7-0.9 condenser is for convenience and cannot be used for high NA objectives. To me, they are not that useful. I cannot speak for other people.
by zzffnn
Tue Oct 24, 2023 5:11 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: 6 cent coverslips vs 24 cent coverslips
Replies: 3
Views: 1260

Re: 6 cent coverslips vs 24 cent coverslips

At above NA 0.65, you may see difference. If you use thick water mounts, try to use thinner cover slips towards the 0.15mm end to reduce spherical aberration introduced by thick water mounts. If your mount is perfect (with subject immediately under cover slip without minimal water / mountant / air g...
by zzffnn
Fri Oct 20, 2023 3:15 am
Forum: For forum members who want to buy and sell equipment
Topic: Looking for Nikon 2 plan 0.05 objective with iris
Replies: 0
Views: 666

Looking for Nikon 2 plan 0.05 objective with iris

I am looking for a fully functional Nikon “2 plan 0.05” objective with iris. This usual comes on Nikon S series microscopes. The objective is short, silver in shell color, has a silver iris ring and is black on its shoulder. Shipped to Houston area, Texas, USA, please. Will consider a Nikon “3 plan ...
by zzffnn
Wed Oct 18, 2023 1:19 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Differences in Amscope 100x iris objectives
Replies: 8
Views: 1505

Re: Differences in Amscope 100x iris objectives

I think 0.5 is more than enough. Going down to 0.3 doesn’t do anything. You can buy cheaper iris objective by searching “iris objective” on eBay; a new Amscope is not better than a good used branded objective.
by zzffnn
Mon Oct 16, 2023 12:03 pm
Forum: Beginner's corner
Topic: Equipment for the microscopy hobby
Replies: 11
Views: 3614

Re: Equipment for the microscopy hobby

If you photograph opaque subjects under a microscope, then things that hold the subjects and lights, light sources, backdrop material, and how you place each item in relation to others would be important too.
by zzffnn
Mon Oct 16, 2023 11:46 am
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: Nebulosa bug under microscope and macro bench
Replies: 8
Views: 1035

Re: Nebulosa bug under microscope and macro bench

Very nice images, Frank! Would you please explain your lighting fixtures in the microscope photo pdv600px.jpg? What brand and model are those two light sources and the clamps, please? I saw each light source is connected to a clamp with cold shoe sockets, has two arms with speelite bulbs, and a thir...
by zzffnn
Mon Oct 16, 2023 3:00 am
Forum: Illumination Techniques
Topic: best lighting for entomolocal slides+ coverslip photography?
Replies: 9
Views: 1921

Re: best lighting for entomolocal slides+ slip cover photography?

You can use reflection-free (coated) museum glass, such as TruVue or ArtToFrames. The smallest size available is around 5x5 or 4x6 in inches. They are expensive at around $30 per piece though. I saw the TruVue museum glass in person (when I went to frame my sons’ drawings at a hobby store). It is re...
by zzffnn
Sun Oct 15, 2023 12:56 am
Forum: Beginner's corner
Topic: Equipment for the microscopy hobby
Replies: 11
Views: 3614

Re: Equipment for the microscopy hobby

BramHuntingNematodes wrote:
Wed Oct 11, 2023 12:25 am
Good forceps
For some tiny subjects, such as foraminifera, a jewel picker with sticky ends works better.
by zzffnn
Sat Oct 14, 2023 1:20 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Any risk to open a Leica M420 in order to clean inside optics?
Replies: 4
Views: 645

Re: Any risk to open a Leica M420 in order to clean inside optics?

Here is the service manual for M420: https://www.savazzi.net/photography/old-literature.htm

I have not opened up the bottom part of my M450.
by zzffnn
Wed Oct 11, 2023 2:28 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Different Nikon 20/0.75 160 Plan Apos
Replies: 14
Views: 3708

Re: Nikon 20/0.75 160 Plan Apos - Ebay problems, again

Those metal rings are shim rings for making objectives parfocal. Those microscopists who cares to use them generally know what they are doing. If the original user cares to use those rings and was happy with performance of the objective, then the objective may be a good one (if not damaged afterward...
by zzffnn
Wed Oct 11, 2023 2:08 pm
Forum: My microscope
Topic: My Travel Microscopes
Replies: 18
Views: 4878

Re: My Travel Microscopes

Joe, I would like to try Rolf’s DIY projection eyepiece myself. I don’t think lens internal reflection is an issue with the vintage Nikon manual lens that I used with my MFT camera, though it is a bit heavy. A DIY projection eyepiece + focusing helicoid adapters / tubes should be lighter and optical...
by zzffnn
Wed Oct 11, 2023 1:38 pm
Forum: My microscope
Topic: My Travel Microscopes
Replies: 18
Views: 4878

Re: My Travel Microscopes

Joe, does your smartphone- microscope adapter have Z axis adjustment to change distance between microscope visual eyepiece and smartphone lens? That feature is important for optimal sensor coverage. If you using a two-camera iPhone 13, use its main camera (the lower right one). I like the eBay smart...
by zzffnn
Tue Oct 10, 2023 5:23 am
Forum: My microscope
Topic: My Travel Microscopes
Replies: 18
Views: 4878

Re: My Travel Microscopes

Great post, thank you, Apteronotus. How heavy is the Olympus HSB microscope without camera, please? Also, it seems that Rolf’s DIY projection eyepiece need to be custom matched to specific objectives by trial-and-error? That seems to be inconvenient for some users. And not many people are great at e...
by zzffnn
Wed Aug 30, 2023 4:06 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Inquiry about Lomo 10x 0.40 achro lens - I looking for a 10x lens for macro
Replies: 17
Views: 1781

Re: Inquiry about Lomo 10x 0.40 achro lens - I looking for a 10x lens for macro

The LOMO 10 / 0.4 is not a good lens for macro, it has been tested by a macro photographer at the other forum before.

Usually around 3mm or more working distance is workable, if objective has a sharp tip.
by zzffnn
Sat May 13, 2023 2:53 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Inverted vs Stereoscope or Compound for Pond water organisms
Replies: 51
Views: 30143

Re: Inverted vs Stereoscope or Compound for Pond water organisms

They work very well (and almost perfectly parfocal) on my Wild M450. Thank you!
by zzffnn
Fri May 12, 2023 7:18 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Inverted vs Stereoscope or Compound for Pond water organisms
Replies: 51
Views: 30143

Re: Inverted vs Stereoscope or Compound for Pond water organisms

Lack of contrast (what I referred to as “fog” above) may be caused by spherical aberrations (for example, optical mismatch between glass / water depth). Correct collar and controlling water depth will help.
by zzffnn
Thu May 11, 2023 5:55 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Inverted vs Stereoscope or Compound for Pond water organisms
Replies: 51
Views: 30143

Re: Inverted vs Stereoscope or Compound for Pond water organisms

Dear eiman, I thought about building a pond scope for a highly similar purpose: https://www.microbehunter.com/microscopy-forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=17905 To summarize, there are 4 issues that interact with one another: 1) ability to see deeply; 2) pond debris / plants blocking viewing and lighting; 3...
by zzffnn
Mon May 08, 2023 5:39 am
Forum: Home-made microscope adaptations
Topic: Working in an "universal condenser" for Nikon Optiphot
Replies: 82
Views: 74866

Re: Working in an "universal condenser" for Nikon Optiphot

Very cool project! I am following too. Jose: You may want to paint your condenser parts with matte black paint. Eventually, a better corrected aplanatic or achromat condenser may work better. Nikon Optiphot has lots of under stage space and is a good platform for condenser DIY. I have adapted a Leit...
by zzffnn
Wed May 03, 2023 5:30 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Cleaning dried stain off objective lenses?
Replies: 2
Views: 763

Re: Cleaning dried stain off objective lenses?

I agree with PeteM. Try soapy water and cotton swap first. Oftentimes even if you scratch the objective top lens superficially, you may not notice any difference at all. If your objective is a within the range of 20x-100x: chances are high that the “dry stain” is dried immersion oil. Mineral spirits...
by zzffnn
Fri Apr 21, 2023 12:42 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: What is the ideal setting for micrography
Replies: 15
Views: 3175

Re: What is the ideal setting for micrography

Focus plane (Z axis) of those photos are different, so I don’t think they are comparable. You would want to centrally focus onto the exact same dot on the exact same diatom for a fair comparison. The same diatom has many layers of Z axis focus planes, when some dots are defocused, they will not look...
by zzffnn
Wed Apr 19, 2023 4:46 am
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: Clear Creek Plankton Drag (Some Photos)
Replies: 11
Views: 1454

Re: Clear Creek Plankton Drag (Some Photos)

Very nice work!
by zzffnn
Thu Apr 13, 2023 5:20 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Source for parfocal shims?
Replies: 26
Views: 6167

Re: Source for parfocal shims?

You can use tiny rubbber bands too.
by zzffnn
Wed Apr 12, 2023 4:47 pm
Forum: For forum members who want to buy and sell equipment
Topic: Complete AO 20 for sale.
Replies: 12
Views: 2620

Re: Complete AO 20 for sale.

I wonder why many infinity scopes don’t offer an iris immediately before the tube lens, so that all the objectives in the same system can share and controlled by that single iris? I understand many ideas are theoretically possible, but difficult or expensive to implement, if that is the reason behin...