Search found 1749 matches

by KurtM
Thu Feb 25, 2021 5:10 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Olympus Splan Apo 100x 1.4NA +coverslip +iris - The Objective that Doesn't Exist?
Replies: 8
Views: 3936

Re: Olympus Splan Apo 100x 1.4NA +coverslip +iris - The Objective that Doesn't Exist?

c-krebs wrote:
Thu May 21, 2020 8:33 pm
The first two images in this post are made with that objective in darkfield (with Zeiss oiled darkfield condenser).

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3374&p=30211
Those two images are still right at the top of my all time favorite diatom pix.
by KurtM
Sat Feb 20, 2021 1:25 am
Forum: Specimens, samples and slides
Topic: Final Lichen Images - Apothecia!
Replies: 18
Views: 6042

Re: Final Lichen Images - Apothecia!

John, your slide making is simply glorious!
by KurtM
Sat Feb 20, 2021 1:21 am
Forum: Collecting microscopes and slides
Topic: My Favorite Microscope Cleaning Pad
Replies: 10
Views: 5580

Re: My Favorite Microscope Cleaning Pad

Kurt, I did a little "research", which means "Googling" at it appears that these little round make-up pads are an ubiquitous product, and are available at, for example, CVS rebranded a little. (This is all new to me, having never put on makeup. . .) Launching my own line of investigation I have mad...
by KurtM
Thu Feb 18, 2021 2:51 am
Forum: Collecting microscopes and slides
Topic: My Favorite Microscope Cleaning Pad
Replies: 10
Views: 5580

Re: My Favorite Microscope Cleaning Pad

I love tips like this one, thanks for posting!

At the risk of sounding persnickety, however, WallyWorld is a colossal store that I seldom have reason to go to; so any hints as to what department these pads may be found in would be most appreciated.
by KurtM
Thu Feb 18, 2021 12:41 am
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: Cladocera
Replies: 8
Views: 3091

Re: Cladocera

Just absolutely wonderful, what a treat for the eyes!
by KurtM
Sun Feb 07, 2021 12:30 am
Forum: For forum members who want to buy and sell equipment
Topic: AO Model? I forget which one it s but it's for sale
Replies: 28
Views: 9347

Re: AO Model? I forget which one it s but it's for sale

KurtM wrote:
Sun Feb 07, 2021 12:27 am
The old Series 2 has a "horseshoe" type of foot, and the Series 4 a lamp built into the base, as you know, so this one's a mystery to me too. I hope Phil or Charles sees this and chimes in.
by KurtM
Sun Feb 07, 2021 12:27 am
Forum: For forum members who want to buy and sell equipment
Topic: AO Model? I forget which one it s but it's for sale
Replies: 28
Views: 9347

Re: AO Model? I forget which one it s but it's for sale

The old Series 2 has a horseshoe foot, and the Series 4 a lamp built into the base, as you know, so this one's a mystery to me too. I hope Phil or Charles sees this and chimes in.
by KurtM
Sat Jan 30, 2021 12:47 am
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: Marine diatom
Replies: 7
Views: 2624

Re: Marine diatom

Bravo!

Looks like a girdle view. Can you stir it up and see if we can get a valve view? (Maybe turn an ostracod loose in there, it worked for me once.)
by KurtM
Thu Jan 28, 2021 3:05 am
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: Rotating Stage DIC Demonstration
Replies: 4
Views: 2005

Re: Rotating Stage DIC Demonstration

Hey Bob, you bring up an excellent counter point, and that's that the rotating capability isn't beneficial to all subjects. Besides something like live protists, it's useless for centric (round, circular) diatom forms! In the meantime, the X-Y stage controls are ever so much more ergonomic on nonrot...
by KurtM
Wed Jan 27, 2021 6:47 pm
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: Rotating Stage DIC Demonstration
Replies: 4
Views: 2005

Rotating Stage DIC Demonstration

Back in July (2020) I submitted a thread showing how I grafted a Zeiss rotating stage onto my Olympus BH-2, see: http://www.microbehunter.com/microscopy-forum/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=9924&p=84494#p84494 A discussion followed as to why a rotating stage is wanted. The short answer is that a lot depends o...
by KurtM
Fri Jan 15, 2021 2:22 am
Forum: Sandbox
Topic: 100x oil vs. 100x dry objectives
Replies: 5
Views: 6974

Re: 100x oil vs. 100x dry objectives

Somehow this reminds of something the dentists says when I balk at having some procedure done: "when it hurts bad enough you'll be back".

When you want to see whatever it is you're trying to see bad enough, you'll deal with the oil.
by KurtM
Wed Jan 13, 2021 1:18 am
Forum: Introduce yourself
Topic: Hello
Replies: 2
Views: 2025

Re: Hello

Welcome Jim, lotsa old amateur astronomers, and ATMs too, here, and I know cuz I'm one of each. Took ya long enough to get here! :lol:
by KurtM
Fri Jan 08, 2021 12:18 am
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: Antique Diatom Arrangement
Replies: 12
Views: 4303

Re: Antique Diatom Arrangement

Howdy Wes. I'm currently using an Olympus BHS BH-2 with LED lamp and Zeiss rotating stage.
by KurtM
Thu Jan 07, 2021 7:16 pm
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: Antique Diatom Arrangement
Replies: 12
Views: 4303

Re: Antique Diatom Arrangement

http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/indexmag.html?http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/artdec10/bs-hardman.html MichaelG., I failed to notice that you gave a link to an article on the diatomist Hardman - thought it was a tag line URL I guess. Thank you, it's most interesting! And in it, there's one ...
by KurtM
Thu Jan 07, 2021 3:18 pm
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: Antique Diatom Arrangement
Replies: 12
Views: 4303

Re: Antique Diatom Arrangement

Many thanks for the kind words, all!

75RR, my apologies for the misspelling, and thanks for the correction. :oops:
by KurtM
Wed Jan 06, 2021 8:59 pm
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: Antique Diatom Arrangement
Replies: 12
Views: 4303

Re: Antique Diatom Arrangement

And one more, through the Nikon plan 100x/1.25
by KurtM
Wed Jan 06, 2021 8:58 pm
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: Antique Diatom Arrangement
Replies: 12
Views: 4303

Antique Diatom Arrangement

Though I check in pretty much daily, I haven't participated in this forum a lot lately so thought I'd offer the results of a little mini-project that kept me amused on a recent rainy day. It started with an antique diatom slide that I won in an auction on you-know-where, which I am told is "by Hardm...
by KurtM
Sun Jan 03, 2021 3:10 am
Forum: Beginner's corner
Topic: AO compound: model, year, repair ideas?
Replies: 10
Views: 3764

Re: AO compound: model, year, repair ideas?

Yes, that's a very decent scope, especially for the price. It even has a POL turret intermediate tube (between the stand arm and bino head), which will be super nice once you discover the joys of simple polarization. If you desire to keep and use this scope for the usual pond water type of stuff, ge...
by KurtM
Sat Dec 19, 2020 1:30 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Use of oil immersion objective with live samples
Replies: 8
Views: 3527

Re: Use of oil immersion objective with live samples

Easier in that there's much more cover slip to work with, so you get a bigger target area.
by KurtM
Fri Dec 18, 2020 12:47 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Use of oil immersion objective with live samples
Replies: 8
Views: 3527

Re: Use of oil immersion objective with live samples

For those who do lots of wet mounts, try using 22 x 50 mm cover slips. The greatly increased area makes using immersion oil easier, and reduces sample dry-out.
by KurtM
Wed Dec 09, 2020 12:41 am
Forum: Specimens, samples and slides
Topic: The Importance of Proper Slide Storage
Replies: 10
Views: 6104

Re: The Importance of Proper Slide Storage

Generally, the less distance between cover slip and specimen the better. But, as you point out, not always. Thanks for making this post a little more useful.
by KurtM
Tue Dec 08, 2020 12:25 am
Forum: Microscopy accessories
Topic: Slide storage drawer cabinets. BAD IDEA!
Replies: 7
Views: 3472

Re: Slide storage drawer cabinets. BAD IDEA!

Every once in a while I like to post on this subject...

viewtopic.php?f=10&t=9967
by KurtM
Tue Nov 10, 2020 2:21 am
Forum: Microscopy accessories
Topic: Slide labels
Replies: 8
Views: 4231

Re: Slide labels

I use a Brother QL-570 label printer and 1"x1" labels that I snagged on eBay for a reasonable price.

See: viewtopic.php?p=26613#p26613
by KurtM
Sat Oct 31, 2020 1:29 am
Forum: Microscopy accessories
Topic: Yet another DIY slide ringing table
Replies: 11
Views: 5073

Re: Yet another DIY slide ringing table

Here in the USA, I have tried quite a few ringing cements looking for that perfect one that will play well with Pleurax mounts (diatoms), and glycerin jelly mounts (pollen), and ended up calling Testor's black enamel the best of the bunch. It's a hobby paint most commonly known for dolling up plasti...
by KurtM
Fri Oct 30, 2020 12:23 am
Forum: Microscopy accessories
Topic: Yet another DIY slide ringing table
Replies: 11
Views: 5073

Re: Yet another DIY slide ringing table

Cool! What are you using for "ringing cement", and how is it working for you?
by KurtM
Sun Aug 23, 2020 12:52 am
Forum: Specimens, samples and slides
Topic: New Diatom Project
Replies: 64
Views: 22771

Re: New Diatom Project

Thanks, Charles. I've seen those (exceedingly nice!) videos and will be watching them again. Your written description is also helpful, and very much appreciated.
by KurtM
Sun Aug 23, 2020 12:38 am
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: Actinocyclus octonarius
Replies: 5
Views: 2566

Re: Actinocyclus octonarius

Yes, lovely! Nothing pretty as a living diatom shot...
by KurtM
Sat Aug 22, 2020 12:01 am
Forum: Specimens, samples and slides
Topic: New Diatom Project
Replies: 64
Views: 22771

Re: New Diatom Project

Very nice! One thing I've been wondering is how you get diatoms to 'release' from the needle onto the storage slide. Can't be using adhesive, because then you can't get 'em back off?

Sorry to hear you got hammered by the hurricane, looks like it may be our turn now. And the shed, that sucks.
by KurtM
Tue Aug 18, 2020 11:54 pm
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: Pleurosigma angulatum + salt crystals
Replies: 11
Views: 4043

Re: Pleurosigma + salt crystals

A lovely image of a lovely diatom!