AO spencer

What equipment do you use? Post pictures and descriptions of your microscope(s) here!
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henryr
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AO spencer

#1 Post by henryr » Sat Aug 29, 2015 1:36 pm

Hi,

I have, what I think is, an AO Spencer series 15 in very good condition. I bought it about 10 years ago and have only looked at prepared slides but really know nothing about scopes. I've looked all over it for a serial number but can't find it. Does anyone know where they hid it?
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Charles
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Re: AO spencer

#2 Post by Charles » Sat Aug 29, 2015 1:53 pm

Welcome Henry!

A very nice AO Spencer 15 with graduated stage. I have a few of those. The serial number is usually stamped on the base on the very back.

henryr
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Re: AO spencer lighting

#3 Post by henryr » Sat Aug 29, 2015 2:21 pm

These are pics of my light system with the homemade brass aiming device. I aim it at the mirror.
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henryr
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Re: AO spencer camera question

#4 Post by henryr » Sat Aug 29, 2015 2:24 pm

Thanks for the reply. What do I need to allow use of a digital camera?

Thanks,
henryr

Charles
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Re: AO spencer

#5 Post by Charles » Sat Aug 29, 2015 2:36 pm

Hi Henry,

For camera to microscope options go to the Camera systems and imaging section. Here is a current discussion:
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=1466

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KurtM
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Re: AO spencer

#6 Post by KurtM » Sun Aug 30, 2015 12:59 am

Henry, I think it's a particularly nice 'scope you have there, what we AO/Spencer enthusiasts like to call a "black beauty". I don't own one myself, but do have its predecessor, the Spencer Model 13. When I first got it a few years ago, I jumped on the internet seeking knowledge much as you are doing now, and quickly gained a mentor ... who used a Model 15!

For many years prior to this I had been using a Model 33, the monocular version of the same scope, along with a simple lamp, the Spencer Bakelite substage illuminator it had originally come with. It worked well, and I was happy with it ... I thought ... but then (besides getting TWO eyepieces)...

Jim taught me to get on eBay and pick up an AO #735 or #370 "research lamp" for $60* and learn how to set up Kohler Illumination with it. The "easy way out" was - is - to get on eBay and score an Ortho-Illuminator. But what I'm getting at here is that the first time I set up a good lamp correctly, the view almost knocked me off my chair, and is a moment I'll never forget because of how exquisite the same view in the same scope had suddenly become with improved lighting. Or in other words, it might be worth your while to learn about Kohler Illumination, get an illuminator with condensing lens and a field iris, and have fun exploring the great old fashioned way of doing microscopy.

See all the stuff I have talked about on my web page: http://ngc704.home.comcast.net/~ngc704/otherstuff/

* These models, when labeled "steam punk" go for BIN prices of $250 and more. Disregard them.
Cheers,
Kurt Maurer
League City, Texas
email: ngc704(at)gmail(dot)com
https://www.flickr.com/photos/67904872@ ... 912223623/

henryr
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Re: AO spencer

#7 Post by henryr » Sun Aug 30, 2015 1:28 am

Thanks so much for your reply. I thought I was doing pretty good with my light setup. It made a vast difference from just using the mirror and shining a simple light at the mirror. It also gave me very subtle and selective light intensity. I was shooting the light through a condenser with an aperture iris. Would the Kohler be an improvement or do I need to apply a more subtle use of my existing lighting system?

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zzffnn
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Re: AO spencer

#8 Post by zzffnn » Sun Aug 30, 2015 2:30 pm

Henryr,

I am guessing Kohler lighting may provide light that is more even than your current fiberoptic system. Kohler lighting has a field diaphragm (light source also has aperture iris) that helps with contrast and light evenness. In a correct Kohler set-up, light source will fill the back lens of your objective exactly, no more and no less (a more than required light aperture may produce glare, while a smaller than required aperture may not fully utilize the full resolution of your objective ).

In reality, you may or may not see a big difference. It depends on your specimens, contrast technique and light requirement. For example, if a Kohler light source is much weaker (in terms of lumen output) than your current fiberoptic system, such that there is not enough light for your eyes or/and camera, then you would not see an obvious improvement.

You may add a frosted glass (diffuser) filter in front of your fiberoptic head, if it does not already has a diffusion filter. Also move the fiberoptic head back and forth may allow you to change light aperture, if it does not have a zoom lens already.

Half of my scope did not come with functional Kohler light sources (some came without light source ). I use a $12 LED headlight with them and the light (contrast, resolution and evenness) performance is actually close to my Kohler light systems.

The reasons are:
1) the led headlight has a zoomable lens that controls source aperture and focuses light, so it is functionally similar to Kohler light system (though zoom lens control is not as precise as Kohler field diaphragm);

2) the led headlight has a high lumen output that allows using various contrast-enhancing techniques (such as oblique and darkfield).

henryr
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Re: AO spencer

#9 Post by henryr » Sun Aug 30, 2015 3:02 pm

Would my Abbe NA 1. 2 5 condenser, which has an adjustable diaphram, provide the needed lighting control?

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zzffnn
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Re: AO spencer

#10 Post by zzffnn » Sun Aug 30, 2015 3:10 pm

henryr wrote:Would my Abbe NA 1. 2 5 condenser, which has an adjustable diaphram, provide the needed lighting control?
Condenser diaphragm cannot make your light source spot larger, if your original light spot is too small or too intense in an uneven manner. Condenser diaphragm can cut off some glare, but it is more efficient to cut off glare at the light source using field diaphragm.

Also, condenser diaphragm does not help to centralize your fiberoptic light source/mirror ( and alight light to the center of objective back lens). You will have to do it manually if you do not have an integrated stock Kohler light system. Focus onto a specimen, remove an eyepiece and look into the eye tube, you can see if your light source is even across the entire field and centralized. If you see a bright spot on one side of the field, it is not optimal.

Rodney
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Re: AO spencer

#11 Post by Rodney » Tue Sep 01, 2015 3:40 am

I have one of those scopes also, but came with widefield oculars.

Rodney

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Re: AO spencer

#12 Post by Rodney » Tue Sep 01, 2015 4:01 am

A picture of the series 15 I have from a while back, serial number goes back to 1948. I gave $27.50 for it but this scope was in really bad shape. When I say bad just add a few more bads to it.

Rodney
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henryr
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Re: AO spencer

#13 Post by henryr » Tue Sep 01, 2015 12:02 pm

Thanks for the info regrading the lighting. Also, someone wrote that, the serial # is located on the back of the base. I've looked under and at the back and can't find it. Could it be somewhere else?

Rodney
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Re: AO spencer

#14 Post by Rodney » Tue Sep 01, 2015 12:23 pm

The one I have the serial number is stamped at the back of the base.

Rodney
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henryr
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Re: AO spencer

#15 Post by henryr » Tue Sep 01, 2015 12:36 pm

Nothing like that on my series 15 and the paint looks nice and smooth. Maybe it's under a thick layer of paint. If I don't hear that it could be marked elsewhere, I'll scrap off some paint.

Thanks,
henryr

Rodney
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Re: AO spencer

#16 Post by Rodney » Tue Sep 01, 2015 12:56 pm

I think I would wait before I scraped any paint off, and the one I have does not include the stamped info that yours has underneath the base. Has no info there.
Looks like your 15 was taken good care of.

Rodney

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gekko
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Re: AO spencer

#17 Post by gekko » Tue Sep 01, 2015 1:15 pm

Illumination: I know what I'm going to suggest will make me a heretic, but while you are figuring out how to set up proper Köhler illumination according to what had be suggested above, you can start using your microscope by putting a diffusing filter just under the condenser (in the filter tray if there is one), rack your condenser all the way up, and put on a slide and start enjoying your microscope (as long as the tip of the light pipe is not too close to the diffusing filter).

henryr
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Re: AO spencer

#18 Post by henryr » Tue Sep 01, 2015 1:44 pm

Thanks. I have always kept the tip of the fiber optic cable about 3" away from the mirror. However I will get a filter.

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gekko
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Re: AO spencer

#19 Post by gekko » Tue Sep 01, 2015 1:53 pm

For a filter, you can cut out a piece from a plastic milk bottle or some such (I think any white diffusing piece of plastic will do).

henryr
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Re: AO spencer

#20 Post by henryr » Tue Sep 01, 2015 1:56 pm

This is a great site!!! The responses are very helpful and members seem so willing to share info.

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zzffnn
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Re: AO spencer

#21 Post by zzffnn » Tue Sep 01, 2015 3:05 pm

gekko wrote:For a filter, you can cut out a piece from a plastic milk bottle or some such (I think any white diffusing piece of plastic will do).
I second this suggestion. Many opaque flat plastic piece will work.

henryr
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Re: AO spencer

#22 Post by henryr » Tue Sep 01, 2015 8:22 pm

I happen to own two large color film enlargers and lots of equipment.

One is designed for 35mm up to 4X5" negatives, the other can handle 35mm to 8X10" negatives, and very old, odd sized glass negatives.

When working with old glass negatives I've sometimes had to soften the emulsion, to remove years of accumulated dirt and dust, with results that more than satisfied my customers.

I also have a slew of old Wratten camera filters and many other filters for my cameras and enlargers, I'm sure I can find a filter in an aluminum mounting ring that will provide the necessary light control and appropriate color enhancement for various applications. I'll keep you posted as I dig through my old but incredibly well maintained equipment.

henryr
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Re: Zeiss eyepiece info needed

#23 Post by henryr » Wed Sep 02, 2015 6:59 pm

Hi all,

Hope you can accept another novice question. I spent at least 6 hours searching the web, this site and, a few others trying to find info on my Zeiss eyepieces.

So far I've only found pics on ebay or other sellers sites. Most of the pics showing Kpl-W eyepieces also have a mag# followed by an X and another number. I've found a few like mine, with nothing after the X. What do I have or where can I get info describing markings on Zeiss eyepieces?

I'm amazed at the range of prices for what I have which go from $5 to $100. What are they really worth in excellent condition and are they an entry level eyepiece?

Thanks,
henryr

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75RR
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Re: AO spencer

#24 Post by 75RR » Wed Sep 02, 2015 10:12 pm

As to price, do not use what sellers ask as a guide on eBay,
rather go to Advanced, enter the item description,
tick Sold Listings and then click Enter.
Prices items were sold for appear in green.

The info on the wide angle is probably correct for yours.

Image
Zeiss Standard WL (somewhat fashion challenged) & Wild M8
Olympus E-P2 (Micro Four Thirds Camera)

henryr
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Re: AO spencer

#25 Post by henryr » Wed Sep 02, 2015 10:24 pm

Thanks for the info. I buy, sell and repair musical instruments and always go to what they sold for in green. I just couldn't find any info, after hours of searching, about my eyepieces so didn't pursue selling prices.

Thanks,
henryr

henryr
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zeiss eyepieces

#26 Post by henryr » Thu Sep 03, 2015 12:48 am

Thanks again for the help. Its disconcerting, to me, that about six hours of searching were lacking the right inputs. So i gather it doesn't matter that there are no numbers after 12.5. The engraving of glasses was all that was needed to tell one what the field of view is. I hope I can search more effectively to eliminate my basic questions.

Thanks again,
henryr

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75RR
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Re: AO spencer

#27 Post by 75RR » Thu Sep 03, 2015 1:40 am

No problem. Here is a link from the Resources (online, books etc.) section you might find interesting :

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=773
Zeiss Standard WL (somewhat fashion challenged) & Wild M8
Olympus E-P2 (Micro Four Thirds Camera)

henryr
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Re: AO spencer ortho illuminator

#28 Post by henryr » Thu Sep 03, 2015 5:16 pm

Hi all,

I found what appears to be a very nice working ortho illuminator. Will this provide kohler illumination and work with my AO series 15?

I also found a very nice, working, spencer 735 which is black so it would match my series 15. Would that be a better choice?

Thanks,
henryr

Charles
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Re: AO spencer

#29 Post by Charles » Thu Sep 03, 2015 8:51 pm

Hi Henry,

Here is Kurt Maurer's site which shows the AO 735 in use with a Spencer 13 as well as the Ortho Illuminator with a AO Model 2 for comparison. It depends on which foot print you want.
http://ngc704.home.comcast.net/~ngc704/otherstuff/

henryr
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Re: binocular versus monocular and lighting

#30 Post by henryr » Fri Sep 04, 2015 2:59 pm

I’ve been thinking a monocular scope may be more to my liking, than my binocular scope, for a couple of reasons.

First; it has no prisms or splitter requiring period cleaning and possible adjustment. I’m guessing those components may also cause some spots or less than idea views due to dust particles, cleaning scratches and/or poor alignment.

Second; eliminating all the pieces of glass between the eyepiece and objective is a very simple approach and might produce a better image.

I’ve read binocular heads were a major improvement in viewing comfort due to angle and spacing of the eyepieces.

However, again, my gut tells me a straight, uninterrupted, view through eyepiece and objective should be better.

One can also tilt the head, on a monocular, when viewing stationary specimens, to improve comfort. Downside to tilting, I’m guessing, may be difficulty or impossibility of achieving kohler illumination.

However I plan to do a lot of viewing, via USB camera, with software. I think this might allow fine adjustment, via scope knobs, while viewing on a computer. This also would not require head tilting.

Based on all that, and since I have a very good series 15 scope, I’ve started looking for a series 15 monocular head. I’ve seen them in catalogs, shown, as interchangeable. Please let me know if my assumptions are wrong?

Regarding kohler lighting; I wonder if an AO-735 or AO orth-illuminator would be better. Being a true novice it strikes me that, since the 735 is adjustable and aims at the mirror, it might be more useful when tilting the head. It appears the ortho illuminator requires the head and light to be parallel. Are those valid statements?

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