Search found 350 matches

by Rorschach
Mon May 15, 2023 5:08 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: How many microscopes are enough? :<)
Replies: 31
Views: 8942

Re: How many microscopes are enough? :<)

Ahhh..the age old question. I have been as high as 30 stands and am currently at my lowest with 20. However, I am going to be selling off stands and objectives shortly given my lab has shrunk considerably. My primary focus will be entomology so will retain the 3 stereos. Trying to pare down the bio...
by Rorschach
Mon May 15, 2023 9:33 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Inverted vs Stereoscope or Compound for Pond water organisms
Replies: 51
Views: 30778

Re: Inverted vs Stereoscope or Compound for Pond water organisms

You don't need to tap any holes for this one. You just need to do some careful measurements. Mine is actually off a little bit but I've been too lazy to adjust it. Ok, that's great! What thickness is your plate? Oh, and thanks jifiresto for the good tips on tapping! Here's the blueprints I got from...
by Rorschach
Mon May 15, 2023 8:56 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Reichert Polyvar
Replies: 122
Views: 1837038

Re: Reichert Polyvar

So it seems that the scope wasn't quite "shelved in working condition". I have some work to to. However, I am not going to give up on it. I think it is gem or a diamond among scopes...maybe a little bit rougher along the edges than anticipated but a diamond nevertheless :)
by Rorschach
Mon May 15, 2023 8:48 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Reichert Polyvar
Replies: 122
Views: 1837038

Re: Reichert Polyvar

More bad news, regarding the HBO lamp house. When I detached it, there were loose glass shards coming out from within the compartment where the lamp is. They were of bluish tint but didn't look like parts of a mirror or a lens. Heat absorption filter? I did not yet open up that compartment as I had ...
by Rorschach
Mon May 15, 2023 5:30 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Reichert Plan 1,25x
Replies: 39
Views: 14182

Re: Reichert Plan 1,25x

Thanks for jarring my memory, On the Bio platform the 4th mag changer position included the bertrand lens, The 2x and or 2.5x was used on the Met and SC versions. The primary function of the bertrand lens was to view the back aperture of the objective for phase ring alighment. Thanks Wayne. Ok, so ...
by Rorschach
Sun May 14, 2023 8:29 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Inverted vs Stereoscope or Compound for Pond water organisms
Replies: 51
Views: 30778

Re: Inverted vs Stereoscope or Compound for Pond water organisms

All you need is a drill press and a plate of aluminum. https://i.imgur.com/mggsF82.jpg Hmm, okay that looks promising. That's a different column and meant for another scope but I guess I would just need to calculate the offset difference between optical axes in the Wild trapezoid system and the Lei...
by Rorschach
Sun May 14, 2023 7:22 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Reichert Plan 1,25x
Replies: 39
Views: 14182

Re: Reichert Plan 1,25x

Thanks again, these are fascinating to read! That's what I thought as well: the Polyvar magnification changer is a real game changer (pun intended) as it in my scope's case basically triples the number of available magnifications. From what I have read, the optics are extremely high quality so ther...
by Rorschach
Sun May 14, 2023 7:21 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Inverted vs Stereoscope or Compound for Pond water organisms
Replies: 51
Views: 30778

Re: Inverted vs Stereoscope or Compound for Pond water organisms

I have one of those Leica BF/DF/Rotterman bases but haven't been able to find the Leica adapter for putting a Wild trapezoid column on it. I have searched the planet for the adapter but to no avail. Fortunately I was recently able to get the blueprint from Leica's finnish representative so will be a...
by Rorschach
Sat May 13, 2023 4:33 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Reichert Plan 1,25x
Replies: 39
Views: 14182

Re: Reichert Plan 1,25x

Thanks again, these are fascinating to read! That's what I thought as well: the Polyvar magnification changer is a real game changer (pun intended) as it in my scope's case basically triples the number of available magnifications. From what I have read, the optics are extremely high quality so there...
by Rorschach
Fri May 12, 2023 6:04 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Reichert Plan 1,25x
Replies: 39
Views: 14182

Re: Reichert Plan 1,25x

Here's pics of the two pages in the Leitz DMRX/E brochure that deal with Delta Optics. Perhaps someone with skills in German can summarize the main points.
20230512_085808.jpg
20230512_085808.jpg (151.52 KiB) Viewed 11359 times
20230512_085830.jpg
20230512_085830.jpg (115.78 KiB) Viewed 11359 times
by Rorschach
Thu May 11, 2023 7:11 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Reichert Plan 1,25x
Replies: 39
Views: 14182

Re: Reichert Plan 1,25x

Lots going on since my last post, I agree scanning the lit will be helpful. Regarding Delta optics. Objective thread size is different from the DMR and the Polyvar and the reference focal length is different as well as lateral color correction in the tube lens. An image could be formed, but would n...
by Rorschach
Wed May 10, 2023 2:08 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Reichert Polyvar
Replies: 122
Views: 1837038

Re: Reichert Polyvar

Phill Brown wrote:
Wed May 10, 2023 1:45 pm
Sometimes good to work on in a tub.
Parts should only be able to go so far.
What a great idea! :lol: Just that I don't have one. Almost nobody here in Finland has a tub...most everybody has a sauna in their house or apartment.
by Rorschach
Wed May 10, 2023 2:06 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Reichert Polyvar
Replies: 122
Views: 1837038

Re: Reichert Polyvar

Ok, that is reassuring to read :) Although I am not exactly known for calmness :oops: But I will certainly restrain myself on this one. The iris assembly can't be reached without first opening the whole condenser. So that in itself will be nerve-wrecking. Edit: has anyone here opened up one of thes...
by Rorschach
Wed May 10, 2023 1:06 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Reichert Polyvar
Replies: 122
Views: 1837038

Re: Reichert Polyvar

Probably, I use 100% ethanol. Just don't force anything now, first disassemble then clean... Wipe each leaf carefully to remove residue. I use a wooden toothpick to help with assembly. It is hard to do with anything metal (magnetic). Not hard, you just need some time and calmness :mrgreen: Ok, that...
by Rorschach
Wed May 10, 2023 11:55 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Reichert Polyvar
Replies: 122
Views: 1837038

Re: Reichert Polyvar

Probably, I use 100% ethanol. Just don't force anything now, first disassemble then clean... Wipe each leaf carefully to remove residue. I use a wooden toothpick to help with assembly. It is hard to do with anything metal (magnetic). Not hard, you just need some time and calmness :mrgreen: Ok, that...
by Rorschach
Wed May 10, 2023 9:40 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Reichert Polyvar
Replies: 122
Views: 1837038

Re: Reichert Polyvar

Thanks people for the valuable tips and insights on the iris problem! I have Ronsonol lighter fluid - I guess that would be suitable for cleaning the iris?
by Rorschach
Wed May 10, 2023 5:47 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Reichert Polyvar
Replies: 122
Views: 1837038

Re: Reichert Polyvar

Bad news :( The aperture-iris diaphragm of the condenser appears to be stuck. I also noticed that the iris blades are not positioned normally. The knurled disc that operates the diaphram does budge a little both ways but that's it. For some reason I didn't check this the first thing when it arrived....
by Rorschach
Tue May 09, 2023 3:17 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Reichert Plan 1,25x
Replies: 39
Views: 14182

Re: Reichert Plan 1,25x

What you say about Delta Optics on Polyvar certainly sounds encouraging. I would definitely not mind a slight loss of magnification like that - especially as the Polyvar has the high quality magnification change turret on it which can be used to compensate. Do you think Delta Optics IK objectives wo...
by Rorschach
Tue May 09, 2023 12:31 pm
Forum: For forum members who want to buy and sell equipment
Topic: For exchange: Temperature controlled stage
Replies: 7
Views: 1463

Re: For exchange: Temperature controlled stage

Would this be only compatible with Nikon microscopes or is it more universal than that? And what would be your asking price for it in the case of a swap not being possible? Unless you are also interested in Wild and Leitz parts :-)
by Rorschach
Tue May 09, 2023 10:34 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Reichert Plan 1,25x
Replies: 39
Views: 14182

Re: Reichert Plan 1,25x

Yes, definitely in more than one place, to be on the safe side. After all, that kind of literature is extremely valuable to hobbyists. I have a 75 page Leica 1991/1992 catalog/brochure in German which I am going to scan next week. Unfortunately it doesn't have objective lists or other useful details...
by Rorschach
Tue May 09, 2023 6:07 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Reichert Plan 1,25x
Replies: 39
Views: 14182

Re: Reichert Plan 1,25x

I finally dug into my Reichert catalog to try and find this objective. I recall it in the program for the Polyvar, but can't realize the details. I have reference materials for the Life Science Polyvar, and Polyvar 2 as well as the Polyvar Met, Polylites up to the 88 with literature from 1983 to 19...
by Rorschach
Mon May 08, 2023 4:39 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Reichert Plan 1,25x
Replies: 39
Views: 14182

Re: Reichert Plan 1,25x

Yep, a rarity it seems. I tried to go through all available Reichert literature, brochures etc. that are available on the web but couldn't find this lens in any of those. In fact the lowest magnification in general was 2x so this is truly a peculiar one. Well, I got it for 85 euros including shippin...
by Rorschach
Mon May 08, 2023 11:04 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Reichert Plan 1,25x
Replies: 39
Views: 14182

Reichert Plan 1,25x

Hi fellow microscopists!

I bumped into a rather rare (at least to me) Reichert lens; an infinity 1,25x a= 0,0375
What was it for? I guess it must work on the Polyvar, being an infinity objective.

Here's pics:
Reichert_Plan1_25x1.jpg
Reichert_Plan1_25x1.jpg (26.68 KiB) Viewed 11671 times
Reichert_Plan1_25x2.jpg
Reichert_Plan1_25x2.jpg (30.74 KiB) Viewed 11671 times
Reichert_Plan1_25x3.jpg
Reichert_Plan1_25x3.jpg (29.71 KiB) Viewed 11671 times
by Rorschach
Mon May 08, 2023 6:29 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Reichert Polyvar
Replies: 122
Views: 1837038

Re: Reichert Polyvar

einman wrote:
Sun May 07, 2023 11:20 pm
If I didn't know better I would think apochronaut is actually just AI? Seriously-- simply astounding.
Yes...he seems to be a sentient tome of knowledge :D Along with a few others here.
by Rorschach
Sun May 07, 2023 5:48 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Reichert Polyvar
Replies: 122
Views: 1837038

Re: Reichert Polyvar

The Polyvar is the second iiteration of the concept. The first was the Univar of which only about 500 were made but the important thing is that the objective complement that was originally manufactured for the Univar is also relavent to the Polyvar, as well as objectives later manufactured for othe...
by Rorschach
Sun May 07, 2023 5:40 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Reichert Polyvar
Replies: 122
Views: 1837038

Re: Reichert Polyvar

Wayne & Pete, thanks again for the info! Look forward to finding out more about the centering keys.
by Rorschach
Fri May 05, 2023 5:24 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Reichert Polyvar
Replies: 122
Views: 1837038

Re: Reichert Polyvar

This may be a dumb question but I will ask anyway. The universal condenser on the Polyvar has provisions for using centring keys. Alas, as you probably guessed, a microscope rescued from oblivion like this one, does not have the matching centring keys any more. But is there any need for them and for...
by Rorschach
Wed May 03, 2023 12:57 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Reichert Polyvar
Replies: 122
Views: 1837038

Re: Reichert Polyvar

apochronaut wrote:
Wed May 03, 2023 12:41 pm
You probably know of the docs. on here already?
https://www.science-info.net/docs/reichert/A4/
Yes, these I know of. But thanks anyway.
by Rorschach
Wed May 03, 2023 11:40 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Reichert Polyvar
Replies: 122
Views: 1837038

Re: Reichert Polyvar

Sorry I haven't been on the forum in a while. Here are a couple of update points relative to the Univar/Polyvar. If i recall correctly, the Univar was introduced about 1973 and the Polyvar approximately 1975. The major difference is the Polyvar required phase specific objectives with annular rings ...
by Rorschach
Wed May 03, 2023 11:36 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Reichert Polyvar
Replies: 122
Views: 1837038

Re: Reichert Polyvar

Sure Squintsalot wrote:
Mon Apr 17, 2023 10:54 pm
Well, these things can't be that rare!



It might be worth nabbing this just for the parts!
I did stalk this one but the final price went far beyond of what I would consider reasonable for a parts donor piece. I think it ended up north of 600 USD.