Swift FM-31 field microscope

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MicroBob
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Re: Swift FM-31 field microscope

#31 Post by MicroBob » Sun Jan 27, 2019 4:12 pm

There is a Reichert field mikroscope on offer now: https://www.ebay.de/itm/Reisemikroskop- ... 3587222210
Not mine.

Bob

MicroBob
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Re: Swift FM-31 field microscope

#32 Post by MicroBob » Sun Jan 27, 2019 4:16 pm

And here a Meopta one: https://www.ebay.de/itm/Schul-bzw-Kurs- ... 4141225394

The Meopta is a good price too.
It is much bigger than the Reichert, but also more convenient and powerfull. Both have 3 non-RMS objectives in a revolver.

Hobbyst46
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Re: Swift FM-31 field microscope

#33 Post by Hobbyst46 » Tue Jan 29, 2019 9:32 am

Here is a link to the two types of Goren microscope: Polarization and "biological". They are both binocular.
https://www.mrclab.com/productsList.asp ... uery=goren

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zzffnn
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Re: Swift FM-31 field microscope

#34 Post by zzffnn » Tue Jan 29, 2019 1:05 pm

Hobbyst46 wrote:Here is a link to the two types of Goren microscope: Polarization and "biological". They are both binocular.
https://www.mrclab.com/productsList.asp ... uery=goren
I want one, but don't like the fact that no retail price and only one photo is provided. It would be expensive, if they price it based on market competition. I probably asked them a few tears ago (cannot remember) and considered it too expensive.

Looks like standard DIN optics? Would be nice know LED implementation, head and condenser dovetail diameter as well, for DIY modification.
Last edited by zzffnn on Tue Jan 29, 2019 7:11 pm, edited 1 time in total.

MicroBob
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Re: Swift FM-31 field microscope

#35 Post by MicroBob » Tue Jan 29, 2019 2:48 pm

It will be difficult to earn money with something as the Goren microscope and at the same time one would all the time have the risk that one of the components is no longer available. But sometimes the economical settings are different. Someone develops it for himself and his employer or institute. Production may be carried out in a university workshop where the pricing is arranged between academic colleagues. Shipping is done by people who are there anyway...

When they would spend more energy on marketing they could probably sell quite a few. But then again they would create a new economic setting, quality assurance, customer service and so on.

I like it anyway! :D

Bob

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Re: Swift FM-31 field microscope

#36 Post by MicroBob » Thu Jan 31, 2019 11:47 am

Hi together,
there is a cheap Lomo field microscope on ebay: https://www.ebay.de/itm/Lomo-MBD-1-Mikr ... 2451731755
I would expect to have to relubricate it for optimal movement but this has to be expected with most older microscopes.
This is a copy of the Zeiss field microscope. You get a full featured lab microscope fitted into a small but heavy box. It comes with a 9:1 plan objective and an additional 40:1 water immersion objective. It is a nice microscope to take to the holiday, at least when you are not going on a hiking trip. To fit it in the vox you have to remove tube and objectives so you can't just grab it and start like with a Wild M11. At home you could use it as you single microscope, may be with an additional bino tube and som accessories. There are nice apos and 5-seat nosepieces available for comparatively little money.
It is about half the usual price.

Bob

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Radazz
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Re: Swift FM-31 field microscope

#37 Post by Radazz » Tue Feb 26, 2019 5:15 pm

Mark II
Smaller, and with removable blue filter for the 4x so it won’t burn through the back of my skull.
Image
Arnold, Missouri
Olympus IX70
Olympus BX40
Olympus SZ40

MichaelG.
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Re: Swift FM-31 field microscope

#38 Post by MichaelG. » Sat Mar 30, 2019 9:28 pm

This [at least as a design concept] might be of interest:
LIKONstereo.jpg
LIKONstereo.jpg (138.06 KiB) Viewed 16212 times
LIKONstereo_a.jpg
LIKONstereo_a.jpg (166.02 KiB) Viewed 16212 times
LIKONstereo_b.jpg
LIKONstereo_b.jpg (186.14 KiB) Viewed 16212 times
The build-quality is predictably lightweight; but the idea looks excellent.

MichaelG.
Too many 'projects'

MicroBob
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Re: Swift FM-31 field microscope

#39 Post by MicroBob » Sun Mar 31, 2019 7:00 am

Hi Michael,
this is a copy of the Nikon Naturescope line. They were sold several years ago but I don't see one on offer today. The original Naturescope is quite expensive, and it is probably too complicated for the Chinese to make an acceptable copy for little money. Probably Nikon was not amused to see a pirate copy and put en end to it, which is ok of cause.
I have one of these and can recommend it with limitations: https://www.amazon.de/dp/B001UJJGV4/ref ... 01_TE_item
It is lightly built but the view is ok. It can't be racked up high enough for thicker objects, like removing splinters aout of fingers.

Bob

MichaelG.
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Re: Swift FM-31 field microscope

#40 Post by MichaelG. » Sun Mar 31, 2019 7:08 am

MicroBob wrote:Hi Michael,
this is a copy of the Nikon Naturescope line. They were sold several years ago but I don't see one on offer today. The original Naturescope is quite expensive [ ... ]
Thanks for the education, Bob
... I had not seen either version before yesterday.

:oops: MichaelG.
.
.
Edit: Good Grief ... I think I need a little lie-down
https://www.astroshop.eu/stereo-microsc ... ope/p,5560
Too many 'projects'

MicroBob
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Re: Swift FM-31 field microscope

#41 Post by MicroBob » Sun Mar 31, 2019 7:27 am

I think this copy was mentioned/reviewed? on french Le Naturaliste forum. On the german market I haven't become aware of the copy and the original Nikon is never mentioned. I would like to have one, but for the limited use I wouldn't spend that much.

Here is a used one on offer: https://www.ebay.de/itm/Nikon-Naturesco ... ctupt=true

From the images it doesn't look like a 600€ microscope to me, cheaply made and flimsy.

Scarodactyl
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Re: Swift FM-31 field microscope

#42 Post by Scarodactyl » Sun Mar 31, 2019 8:52 am

There's another clone I have seen on the market every now and then...
Image
Even at used prices which get down to 350 occasionally (and I saw one for 150 which was gone fast), with a fixed 20x mag it sure feels like you might as well use a binocular loupe or buy a cheaper stereo and tape on bubble wrap to ruggedize it. I suppose weight is still an issue with a normal stereo scope, even a small one. Nevertheless.

MichaelG.
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Re: Swift FM-31 field microscope

#43 Post by MichaelG. » Sun Mar 31, 2019 1:06 pm

Scarodactyl wrote:There's another clone I have seen on the market every now and then...
Image
:lol:
For the avoidance of doubt, though ... The single design feature that impressed me [and why I posted the photos] is the fact that by inverting the head, the 'scope makes a package of small dimensions.

... Oh, and that rotation also switches-off the lamp.

MichaelG.
Too many 'projects'

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Pat Thielen
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Re: Swift FM-31 field microscope

#44 Post by Pat Thielen » Mon Apr 29, 2019 7:58 pm

This is really interesting -- I *just* got one of these Swift Field microscopes myself. Today, in fact. I was wondering about the 40x objective after crashing it into the slide (no-one was hurt in the collision). I realized that a regular slide was too thick but didn't realize it needed to be upside-down (looking through the cover glass). This does limit it, in my opinion, to some degree in the field. But really, 4x and 10x should do just fine for quick observations of collected specimens. I really like it, actually, and I'm happy I got it. I was rather surprised to find out how rare these things are -- Swift only sold a couple/few hundred a year (which isn't a whole lot, obviously). In any case, I look forward to bringing it with me into the filed this spring once I figure out how to put together a filed kit.

Mine has the normal light (non-LED) and a mechanical stage. It also didn't come with the phase contrast objectives which I think were available for it.
Attachments
Swift FM-31
Swift FM-31
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Swift FM-31
Swift FM-31
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Swift FM-31
Swift FM-31
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Pat Thielen
Motic BA310, C & A Scientific Premiere SMZ-07, Swift Eleven-Ninety, Swift FM-31, Bausch & Lomb VM349, Olympus CHA
Nikon d810

MichaelG.
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Re: Swift FM-31 field microscope

#45 Post by MichaelG. » Thu May 09, 2019 6:26 am

I've just found an interesting Canadian patent covering a range of field microscopes:
CA2452546 (A1) ― 2000-08-24
https://worldwide.espacenet.com/publica ... cale=en_EP

MichaelG.
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75RR
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Re: Swift FM-31 field microscope

#46 Post by 75RR » Thu May 09, 2019 7:45 am

This is really interesting -- I *just* got one of these Swift Field microscopes myself.
Congratulations! I really like the idea of Swift Field microscopes, though more in the abstract than in practice, not sure how much use I would actually give it if I were to luck into one.
Zeiss Standard WL (somewhat fashion challenged) & Wild M8
Olympus E-P2 (Micro Four Thirds Camera)

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