My recent experience with mosses made it clear that a stereoscope is a must. Initially, I opted for an AO 570, but the owner regretted and took it back. Then out of the blue came, from a local friend, a beige-colored Olympus VMZ 1X-4X, complete with eyepieces and 20W halogen illuminator and clear glass stage plate. Binocular, but my main purpose is vision and dissections, not photography. For a price of <$140. It is fully functional, only tiny issues that I will be happy to resolve:mrsonchus wrote: imagine what you could do with a basic stereo 'scope
1. Eyepieces are G10X LOW eyepoint. I might replace them with unbranded Chinese 10X high-eyepoint on eBay, at around $50 a pair.
@75RR - yes, the eyepiece tube diameter is 30mm...
2. The zoom ring rotates, but is somewhat stiff. I would appreciate advice on if and how to repair it. A repair manual would be great.
3. The 6V 20W halogen lamp provides a weaker illumination that I hoped for. The bulb seems OK, no inside blackening of burn-off.
On the other hand, the illuminator is well installed, and there are three built-in alternative modes - epi-, trans-, or epi+trans. With the highest supply voltage the stand already becomes hot, so unlikely that a higher wattage lamp is the answer. LED upgrade appears difficult, unless I give up the illuminator base.
Edit: I note that the upwards light reflector is a flat piece of frosted glass at an angle of (?) 45 degrees. Would it make sense to try and replace with a mirror, and diffuse the light by means of a very lightly frosted glass plate? Probably, Olympus know what is best, but nevertheless...
4. Cosmetic flaw - paint chips off the peripheral ring below the stage glass plate. I would appreciate advice if and how to touch it.
5. Stage clips are missing. There are 4 empty stage clip holes, diameter of ca 4-5mm, I do not know whether they are threaded and which thread. There is an eBay listing for threaded stage clips. Is there a standard for stage clips?