Search found 2983 matches

by PeteM
Sun Feb 21, 2021 4:44 pm
Forum: Illumination Techniques
Topic: Phase Contrast Question
Replies: 5
Views: 1917

Re: Phase Contrast Question

Only the central vision of our eyes is sharp. Our brains make up a sharp image through a variety of techniques (scanning the image with eye movements, continuously focusing, etc.). So a regular achromat objective can look pretty good at low magnification. Typical cameras aren't so forgiving. If the ...
by PeteM
Fri Feb 19, 2021 12:18 am
Forum: Specimens, samples and slides
Topic: Final Lichen Images - Apothecia!
Replies: 18
Views: 6040

Re: Final Lichen Images - Apothecia!

Bravo, John.
by PeteM
Thu Feb 18, 2021 9:33 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Does it make sense to use Nikon CFN lenses on a olympus BH-2?
Replies: 18
Views: 6207

Re: Does it make sense to use Nikon CFN lenses on a olympus BH-2?

A few thoughts. Olympus SPlan objectives and Nikon CFN finite objectives (the larger barreled ones with slightly higher numerical apertures) are essentially equivalent. The Nikon Plan CF objectives are equivalent to Olympus DPlan. And within a smaller image circle, the Olympus D Plan objectives are ...
by PeteM
Wed Feb 17, 2021 3:12 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Any advice on Leitz 402aa repair?
Replies: 4
Views: 1362

Re: Any advice on Leitz 402aa repair?

Simplest possibility is that you have withdrawn a centering screw so far that it jams rotation?

If that's not it, take it apart. Reset the annulus, which may be cocked out of position and preventing rotation?
by PeteM
Wed Feb 17, 2021 3:10 am
Forum: Microscopy accessories
Topic: Carry/Storage Case For Swift 380T
Replies: 9
Views: 4195

Re: Carry/Storage Case For Swift 380T

Here's another option - a padded case just about the right size for that size Swift, AmScope, Omax, etc. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Respironics-Inc-Black-Medium-Weight-Padded-Travel-Bag-CPAP-Carrying-Case-II/203277204755?epid=668530397&hash=item2f5443fd13:g:VxMAAOSwZ-5fnIRU These are well padded, well...
by PeteM
Tue Feb 16, 2021 5:45 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Restored Leitz Großfeld Stereomikroskop TS
Replies: 31
Views: 93611

Re: Restored Leitz Großfeld Stereomikroskop TS

Looks wonderful.
by PeteM
Tue Feb 16, 2021 1:26 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: "New" eyepiece technology to eliminate "floaters"
Replies: 14
Views: 4459

Re: "New" eyepiece technology to eliminate "floaters"

The technology is different - the links above have a bit more information. There's a sort of spinning disk with tiny lenses involved. Your digital screen likely makes more sense for a compound scope but maybe not a stereo microscope. Since this was introduced 17 or 18 years ago, could be you'd find ...
by PeteM
Tue Feb 16, 2021 1:03 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Retrofitting phase contrast hardware
Replies: 4
Views: 1366

Re: Retrofitting phase contrast hardware

Most bacteria are pretty small - and typically stained to see even the rough shapes at 400x. Fungi range from tiny to huge, of course. If you're sure that 40x (400x with 10x eyepieces) phase contrast is just right for the bacteria and fungi of interest, you might consider buying a cheap microscope e...
by PeteM
Tue Feb 16, 2021 12:58 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: "New" eyepiece technology to eliminate "floaters"
Replies: 14
Views: 4459

Re: "New" eyepiece technology to eliminate "floaters"

LouiseScot wrote:
Tue Feb 16, 2021 12:11 am
I suffer from . . .Louise
Shame you're not closer, I'd let you try this out. However, Vision Engineering is a UK company and I'd guess there must be some near by?
by PeteM
Sun Feb 14, 2021 11:42 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: "New" eyepiece technology to eliminate "floaters"
Replies: 14
Views: 4459

Re: "New" eyepiece technology to eliminate "floaters"

I tried this out on a couple of stereo microscopes. Some more pros and cons observed. Pro: The "softness" I saw in the compound microscope images didn't show up at lower magnification (6x to 40x). Image quite clear, with good contrast. Con: You don't want a stereo microscope with widely divergent ey...
by PeteM
Sun Feb 14, 2021 7:45 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: "New" eyepiece technology to eliminate "floaters"
Replies: 14
Views: 4459

Re: "New" eyepiece technology to eliminate "floaters"

Good point about the vast improvement of screens, Bob. Could be "ISIS" is best used on a stereo microscope, where the 3D view can be retained.

And I do like the idea of considering her more like the original Egyptian goddess, than yet another name ground up over time.
by PeteM
Sun Feb 14, 2021 6:50 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: "New" eyepiece technology to eliminate "floaters"
Replies: 14
Views: 4459

"New" eyepiece technology to eliminate "floaters"

Couldn't resist trying one of these: https://pdf.medicalexpo.com/pdf/vision-engineering-ltd/isis/74458-151487.html https://optimaxonline.com/pdf/Optimax-Isis%20user%20guide.pdf It is about 17 year old technology, but new to me, and perhaps of great interest to anyone whose enjoyment of microscopy ha...
by PeteM
Sun Feb 14, 2021 6:22 am
Forum: For forum members who want to buy and sell equipment
Topic: For trade: microscope (DIC etc.) scopes & optics
Replies: 39
Views: 23403

Re: Wanted: Leica K2 DIC prism, Nikon L prism

That's great to know, Pete! Did you need to modify the prism at all? The PZO prisms are housed in a removable metal surround. The diameter was OK to fit into an Olympus phase condenser and be secured by the setscrews. The height, however, was too tall and needed to be cut down to a bit under 6mm th...
by PeteM
Sat Feb 13, 2021 8:53 pm
Forum: Camera systems and imaging
Topic: Which DSLR adapter to choose? Is the Amscope any good?
Replies: 9
Views: 4569

Re: Which DSLR adapter to choose? Is the Amscope any good?

On the plus side, it's cheap and provides about the right size image. Good enough for routine documentation. On the minus side, it's not very well color corrected. Not good enough for great photos. Some of this may be due to use with older microscopes that require eyepiece corrections. I didn't like...
by PeteM
Sat Feb 13, 2021 8:36 pm
Forum: For forum members who want to buy and sell equipment
Topic: For trade: microscope (DIC etc.) scopes & optics
Replies: 39
Views: 23403

Re: Wanted: Leica K2 DIC prism, Nikon L prism

Just to add for those interested. I was able to remove the PZO 20x prism and place it, properly oriented, in an Olympus BH2 phase condenser. It does a pretty good job filling in the missing 20x DIC position for an Olympus DIC system with only 10x, 40x, and 100x positions. The prism doesn't allow the...
by PeteM
Fri Feb 12, 2021 6:30 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Buy stereo microscope watchmaker
Replies: 21
Views: 8460

Re: Buy stereo microscope watchmaker

The one thing the 10 might do for you is help painstakingly photograph stereo pairs, to take stereo-viewable pictures of (ever so slightly distorted looking) watch mechanisms. Thank you, what do you mean here? The typical stereo microscope with a trinocular tube -- when switched to the photo positi...
by PeteM
Wed Feb 10, 2021 9:20 pm
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: Prorodon
Replies: 2
Views: 1124

Re: Prorodon

Great images - thanks.
by PeteM
Tue Feb 09, 2021 6:15 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Buy stereo microscope watchmaker
Replies: 21
Views: 8460

Re: Buy stereo microscope watchmaker

The SMZ-10 is a well built scope with some unusual options - for example being able to switch the trinocular tube's camera view to either the left or right side. I have and like one. However , unless you find a deal I think it's both overkill and not quite right for your application. At low magnific...
by PeteM
Sun Feb 07, 2021 9:10 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Tension adjustment
Replies: 2
Views: 1136

Re: Tension adjustment

Don't recognize that precise model, but most mechanical stages require a balance of four adjustments to get the feel just right: 1) The mesh of the gears with the rack - usually adjustable. 2) The fit of the dovetail or ball bearing slides and their gibs. Again, usually adjustable. 3) Proper, slight...
by PeteM
Sun Feb 07, 2021 8:56 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Buy stereo microscope watchmaker
Replies: 21
Views: 8460

Re: Buy stereo microscope watchmaker

In addition to the four stereo microscopes in jfresto's link (all of which I've used), another good / affordable choice might be a Meiji EMZ trinocular with its 23mm field of view (at 10x) eyepieces. The B&L 7 is one you need to be careful of - while it has very good resolution and an amazing-for-it...
by PeteM
Sun Feb 07, 2021 8:36 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Mad Scientist Glasses
Replies: 8
Views: 2753

Re: Mad Scientist Glasses

Don - do yours have diopter adjustments for each eye? A few years ago I bought a cheap copy (maybe $150) of the type used by dentists (these have up to maybe a 20" working distance), but found them unusable because one eye was always out of focus. Better stereo microscopes can have a wide range of w...
by PeteM
Sat Feb 06, 2021 9:38 pm
Forum: Illumination Techniques
Topic: Zeiss Ph2 plan Neofluar objective for DIC/BF/DF
Replies: 2
Views: 1498

Re: Zeiss Ph2 plan Neofluar objective for DIC/BF/DF

Yes.

You might find it acceptable in brightfield, possibly in darkfield, not likely in DIC.
by PeteM
Sat Feb 06, 2021 3:02 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Objective help.
Replies: 18
Views: 5336

Re: Objective help.

Sorry to say, your "185" objectives won't necessarily have more working distance (from the end of the objective to the specimen) - at least if you want them in focus.
by PeteM
Fri Feb 05, 2021 8:00 am
Forum: Illumination Techniques
Topic: Mixing phase rings
Replies: 2
Views: 1372

Re: Mixing phase rings

Within a brand and a model era (e.g. Nikon finite DIN 160mm phase contrast objectives), any objective marked something like "Ph2" should work with the Ph2 annulus. There are no guarantees that a "Ph2" for Nikon will cross to a "Ph2" for Zeiss (and so on). Generally speaking the higher numbers corres...
by PeteM
Fri Feb 05, 2021 4:46 am
Forum: Beginner's corner
Topic: Amateur Microscopy vs Astronomy
Replies: 49
Views: 12528

Re: Amateur Microscopy vs Astronomy

Scarodactyl wrote:
Fri Feb 05, 2021 3:17 am
. . .
Bwahahahaha yes! . . .
Now, that got a grin.
by PeteM
Thu Feb 04, 2021 6:50 pm
Forum: Beginner's corner
Topic: Amateur Microscopy vs Astronomy
Replies: 49
Views: 12528

Re: Amateur Microscopy vs Astronomy

One issue for many is light pollution. It might be the geographic equivalent of microscope objectives afflicted with oil intrusion or in need of serious cleaning? More and more of us are living near urban areas - that's where many of the best jobs have been. By one estimate 55% of the world's popula...
by PeteM
Thu Feb 04, 2021 12:08 am
Forum: Beginner's corner
Topic: DIY Polarized light
Replies: 20
Views: 6030

Re: DIY Polarized light

The polarizers will work immediately above and below the slide, but not as well as the previously suggested spots. Three minor problems: - You're more like to get dirt or smudges on (or scratch) the polarizers if you handle them as a "sandwich" with a slide. - At low power those smudges or scratches...
by PeteM
Wed Feb 03, 2021 9:23 pm
Forum: Beginner's corner
Topic: DIY Polarized light
Replies: 20
Views: 6030

Re: DIY Polarized light

If you're trying to add simple polarization to a microscope, you're better off buying cheap camera polarizers. These are available in sizes small enough for cell phones, in lots of sizes from the mid 30mm to 52mm or so to fit the field apertures of compound microscopes, and even large enough to serv...
by PeteM
Wed Feb 03, 2021 4:29 am
Forum: For forum members who want to buy and sell equipment
Topic: For trade: microscope (DIC etc.) scopes & optics
Replies: 39
Views: 23403

Re: Wanted: Leica K2 DIC prism, Nikon L prism

Hi Fan. I've been gob-smacked by the images DIC can provide. Sort of like tugging on a ball of string and pulling . . and pulling . . . I decided to learn what I could and compare some systems. Eventually I'll keep one or two and try to recover costs on the others. Have to say, while there are some ...
by PeteM
Wed Feb 03, 2021 12:03 am
Forum: For forum members who want to buy and sell equipment
Topic: For trade: microscope (DIC etc.) scopes & optics
Replies: 39
Views: 23403

Re: Wanted: Leica K2 DIC prism, Nikon L prism

Hi Stew, I have a few that are near ready to go, including a Zeiss Standard 18, a Leica DMRB, and a Nikon E600 Eclipse. Still, haven't quite finished comparisons. PM me when you have enough posts to do so. A couple other forum members are first in line on a Nikon Optiphot and a Leica DMLB. Regards, ...