Leitz Paperweight

[Jinks]

Hi . I recently purchased a Leitz Interference Microscope for $100 AU dollars. It's magnificent although the light sources are missing . I have 3 other microscopes but I han having a great deal of difficult researching this unit . Can anybody enlightem me further

[Jinks]

For clarification ...I have a great deal or information on this unit. I suppose what I'm seeking advice as to whether it is worth the effort to fabricate light source or locate appropriate light sources on the internet to operate the unit . I currently have Olympus CH with Phase contrast .Carl Zeiss standard WL ? with Phase contrast and another Carl Zeiss Standard with camera mount facility ...Is it likely I would benefit by going to the effort or just hold onto it for display purposes ?

[MichaelG.]

I would say it’s magnificent, and an absolute bargain at the price paid.

... I suppose it really depends on whether you would ever want to do interference microscopy.

MichaelG.

[apochronaut]

When rare parts are needed in order to complete an interesting or useful microscope also patience is needed. Parts are usually around somewhere. The worst case would be to go to the trouble of fabricating and then shortly after come across the original parts. Leitz dealers in your area?

I am curious how this works? I have seen interference microscopes but not with two objectives? It looks to be based like a comparison microscope. How does it work?

[75RR]

For clarification ...I have a great deal or information on this unit.

Do share what you have on it, that is fascinating microscope!

I suppose what I'm seeking advice as to whether it is worth the effort to fabricate light source or locate appropriate light sources on the internet to operate the unit .

That sort of microscope is not normally an impulse buy, so I would say that your first instinct was correct, yes it is worth the effort.

No rush though, best to think of it as a long term project.

If you can locate a skilled Turner who charges reasonable prices your work is more than half done. Perhaps that should be your first step.

Carl Zeiss standard WL ?

As to whether you own a Standard WL or not ... post a photo - we will be able to tell you.

[MicroBob]

Hi,
can you tell for what the instrument was used? To me it looks like a comparison microscope as they are used in forensic, e.g. to directly compare bullets or fibres.
For an LED light source you probably just need an aluminium rod of the right diameter (turned to quite close tolerance) with two threaded holes to mount the star board LED and a channel for the wires. As a power supply I like the cheap 20V 3A lab power supplies.

Bob

[daruosha]

Great catch. Looks like a feat of engineering.
These comparison microscopes always fascinate me.
I'll suggest open a new thread for the LED retrofit job, assuming precisely equal light intensity for both specimen is important (not sure about that), you need a self adapting current mirror driver.


Update: I mis-interpreted the first post. It's an interference microscope, not a comparison microscope. My bad. I never know what an interference microscope was at all. Thanks for sharing the pictures and your discovery.

[MichaelG.]

O.K. folks ... looks like it’s a School-day :

https://www.researchgate.net/publicatio ... pachyrhizi

MichaelG.

[Sabatini]

Very interesting projected.

[Jinks]

My other paperweights including a light source I made so long ago a single LED cost $27 AU...It works a treat .......an image to compare sizes of the Interferance Microscope versus a standard and images purposely blrred to make the task of recognizing them a little more challenging

[75RR]

O.K. folks ... looks like it’s a School-day :

https://www.researchgate.net/publicatio ... pachyrhizi

MichaelG.

Nice catch!

[75RR]

Thanks for the additional photos of your collection.

First photo is of a Zeiss GFL (West Germany) What happened to its eyepieces?

Second photo is of a Zeiss Jena NF (East Germany)

Both are very nice microscopes.

Do like that the Leitz Interference Microscope came with its own very cool case.

[Jinks]

Wow you do know your stuff ! Thank you ....I paid $10 for the one with the missing eye pieces so I can't remember if it had one so i only place whatever eyepieces an hand to keep out the dust...Now I know what it is i can search out if i have at least one ......The Interference Microscope came with complete set of what appears to be original instruction ...Had I looked in the bottom of the box I would have found them sooner ...May thanks again ! Regards Alex

[Hobbyst46]

Wow you do know your stuff ! Thank you ....I paid $10 for the one with the missing eye pieces so I can't remember if it had one so i only place whatever eyepieces an hand to keep out the dust...Now I know what it is i can search out if i have at least one ......The Interference Microscope came with complete set of what appears to be original instruction ...Had I looked in the bottom of the box I would have found them sooner ...May thanks again ! Regards Alex

The first one, the GFL, is equipped with a phase contrast condenser AND an Optovar. Does that Optovar have a filter slot in it ?
If functional, that is a small but capable microscope. Eyepieces from other brands can be used, for at least an acceptable view.

[Jinks]

I'm unsure so here are a couple of pics ..Thought it to be the additional image ...Alex

[Hobbyst46]

Yes, these are photos of the achromat-aplanat, NA=1.4, phase contrast condenser: Ph2, Ph3, darkfield, brightfield condenser. The top lens can be unscrewed for using the low magnification objectives, although I never do it...

Would be nice, if possible, to see photos of the optovar as well. Here it is encircled in red.

GFL-Optovar.jpg (46.62 KiB) Viewed 7843 times

[MicroBob]

On your Zeiss jena NF or NG there is an unusual condenser, probably phase contrast. It is equipped with the fairly rare and very useful trinocular head combination.

[Jinks]

Now if I only knew which end to look through I.d tell my relatives I'm an expert !

[75RR]

That looks like one of the original Optovars with magnification changer, an Amici-Bertrand lens and the built in Analyzer.

To confirm that, could you tell us what the numbers written on the dial are?

http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/ind ... tovar.html

[Jinks]

Number 47367 I really appreciate all your help

[75RR]

Number 47367 I really appreciate all your help

Older Zeiss equipment had serial numbers, which is what you quoted.

Newer ones have 6 figure Catalogue numbers, but the ones I am after are on the Optovar's dial. See sample photo.

[Jinks]

Numbers on dial ...PH ...1.0....1.6....2.5

[75RR]

Looks like you have one of the earliest ones. Could even date from 1954. Nice!

[Jinks]

Thank you for your efforts !
$10 AU spent paid off

[PrecisionInstruments]

O.K. folks ... looks like it’s a School-day :

https://www.researchgate.net/publicatio ... pachyrhizi

MichaelG.

It looks like the lamp house on the back of the Leitz instrument on this document (page 22) is very similar to Orthoplan?

I love extremely unique Leitz gear! This is a great example.

[Jinks]

I think your reference is what is two light sources on the back and one more in the front where mine has a micro adjustment dial and Magnifying glass to to view the dial in the location of the third light source ..I haven't attempted to seriously removed it to find out as I am a JInks an heavy handed so maybe left alone !