strange patternsgs on new slides

[janvangastel]

In the image below there lots of elongated 'objects' visible. The slide and the cover slib were both new and the only thibng I did was putting some cheek stuff on the slide with a cotton swab. I saw this also on other slides. The 'objects' look greeenish when observing visually. Does anyone know what it is? Picture taken with 40x objective.

wangcellen.jpg (129.78 KiB) Viewed 6883 times

[Peter]

Hi janvangastel,
Did you clean the slides/coverslips before using them? I would never trust new slides/coverslips to be clean when purchased, even those which claim to be clean.
Peter.

[janvangastel]

Hi Peter. No, I did not clean them. I didn't know that was necessary. So it is probably dirt?

[einman]

Very few companies actually guarantee their slides to be "clean". Most require cleaning.

[janvangastel]

Cleaned the slides a made a new cheek swab. Not ideal I think, but much better.

wangcellen_2.jpg (134.79 KiB) Viewed 6856 times

[MicroBob]

Hi Jan,
on your first picture there are big dark spots in the background. To me this looks like dirt somewhere in the illumination path, e.g. on the condenser, on the bulb, light collector lens, mirror.
On the second picture you might have closed the condenser irisa bit far, this enhances the visibility of dirt.

Bob

[Glycolyse]

Hi guys,

How do you clean your slides/cover glasses ? With water ?

[75RR]

Hi Jan,
on your first picture there are big dark spots in the background. To me this looks like dirt somewhere in the illumination path, e.g. on the condenser, on the bulb, light collector lens, mirror.

I agree. Had thought (in other images of yours) that this was because you were focusing on the wrong plane. i.e. top of cover slip etc... You need to check all surfaces in the light path for the culprit if you have not done so already.

[75RR]

How do you clean your slides/cover glasses ? With water ?

I find Washing Up liquid (as in dishes) works well.

[janvangastel]

I also use dish water detergent now and it works fine.

[Glycolyse]

Thanks both of you !