Zeiss Jena Lu Wd microscope

[Essaouira]

Dear microfriends,

I've just purchased through Ebay, driven by curiosity, a Zeiss Jena Lu Wd scope, also known as Universal. It's somewhat bigger than the L stand, with a height regulable table.

Anyone has this microscope? Any experiences on it?

Thanks and happy December,
Javier

[MicroBob]

Hi Javier,

do you know this source for Zeiss documents:https://www.mikroskop-online.de/Mikrosk ... riften.htm?

The Lu Wd is quite rare. It was the predecessor of the Lumipan which was a bigger success in production numbers or at least more have survived.
If you find the necessary atattchment you could use the incident lighting capabilities beacuse the stage can be lowered. The atattchment can't have been much different from the one for the Lumpipan and NF. It gives very nice incident darkfield lighting up to high magnifications.

Bob

[Essaouira]

Thank you very much, Bob.

I've just downloaded the manual. When I receive the microscope I will post a review.

Best regards,
Javier

[Essaouira]

Here comes the short review:

This is like a giant Zeiss Jena LG, with the possibility os lowering the stage to observe materials with epi-illumination. I received it very dirty, with only 2 objectives, 40x and 100x. I paid for it 80 €, not much considering the rareness of the stand.

I've cleaned it a little (it was absolutely dirty) but there is some rust on the metal knobs, and I've thought of using oxalic acid to remove it. Do you know a better cleaning method?

It is completely modular, it can be completely disassembled. The powerful 1.2 condenser has offset capabilities for oblique lighting, but it hasn't filter holder, a pity.

I've coupled it with achromat PZO objectives, which I like a lot, and a pair of chinese 10x WF eyepieces. Using it is a pleasure: smooth, rigid, weighty, exudes quality on par with my Jena NF or even better (I think it's older too). Anyone knows the manufacture year by the serial number?

Some photos below.

Greetings and happy Christmas,
Javier

[Essaouira]

Another

[Essaouira]

More

[Essaouira]

Other

[Essaouira]

Some simple images of oblique light with this stand, made with a simple 5mpx chinese USB camera.

[Essaouira]

Another

[Hobbyst46]

Congratulations for the nice microscope!
Happy New Year.
1. Rust issues
To remove brownish rust from knobs, I recommend citric acid rather than oxalic acid.
First, citric is harmless whereas oxalic is poisonous (not frighteningly so).
Second, citric acid is a supermarket item, on the spices shelf: sometimes called "citron salt" or similar, it is a white powder, easily soluble in water (better so in warm water).
Third, citric acid is cheap.
Immerse the rusty part in a solution of citric acid in wate for an hour, rinse with water and wipe dry.

An even more powerful solution is 10% phosphoric acid, or alternatively, a pink liquid called "rust remover" that is sold in hardware stores, under brand names. Protect your eyes with goggles and wear rubber gloves when you use it.

Do not use other acids - like muriatic acid - since they will cause more damage than good.
2. illumination
Did you illuminate the samples with sunlight, or filtered sulight to remove violet/blue light?

[Essaouira]

Thanks, I will try citric acid instead of oxalic.

The samples are illuminated by a Zeiss Jena external lamp, with an halogen bulb that gives a warm light.

Best regards and Happy New Year!
Javier

[apochronaut]

I used to keep a bottle of a cheap carbonated drink around to clean rust off of drum parts. I think the last one was orange crush. It works like a miracle with an overnight soak. Usually coke is prescribed. It's the phosphoric acid. It will do the job.
However with microscope parts, I am a little loathe to remove many of them unless necessary, so I have been doing a preliminary clean with isopropyl/water/detergent and finishing the bright parts with fine metal or silver polish and a toothbrush.

[Essaouira]

Thanks, I'll try coke and toothbrush first. If it doesn't work (knobs have a lot of rust), I'll use the citric.

Best,
Javier

[MicroBob]

Hi Javier,

i happened to stumble upon this Zeis Jena LU document:https://docplayer.org/56846662-Abteilun ... -3641.html

Bob

[Essaouira]

Super interesting document, Bob.

I will try to get the epi-illuminator, but I think it's not going to be that easy...

Best and thanks,
Javier

[MicroBob]

The nosepieces of LG and NF are the same. This means that the darkfield incident condenser of the NF could fit the LU. I have the NF and condenser but no LU so I can't test it. The darkfield incident condenser of the NF comes in a big heavy box with about 5 ring mirrors and infinity objectives with 19mm thread. They turn up on german ebay from time to time.
This here: https://www.ebay.de/itm/Grundkorper-Auf ... rk:19:pf:0

might fit. But it is just the condenser, not the complete set. A complete set goes for about 250-350€.

Bob