Finally Picked up a Microscope (Carl Zeiss)

[sandnamek]

After lurking in the forums for a while and taking in all the advice given to others I finally found, what I think, is a decent beginner microscope ( I think ).
Found this baby for $168 USD shipped to my house. It looks a little old but the lady assured me it was in perfect working order. She even threw in an extra light bulb.

I wasn't exactly sure on the model. All I see online are ''Carl Zeiss Compound Microscope'' but I went for it because it was a stereo microscope and you cant go wrong with CZ. Any idea on the model?

[BramHuntingNematodes]

Looks like a GFL they're sweet little scopes and that one appears complete. Well go ahead, look at small things!!

[75RR]

Congratulations! That is a Zeiss Standard Junior, the baby of the family. A beautiful and very well made microscope (they literally don't make them like that any more) that will serve you very well.

That was also my first microscope.

That type of head is referred to as a binocular, stereo being reserved for dissecting microscopes.

Can't tell exactly what objectives it came with from your photos, perhaps you can tell us what they say.

There should be a mirror as well that is inserted in a hole under the lamp, that can be very useful if you get hold of an external light source. (see image)

http://klaus-henkel.de/standard.pdf
.

[BramHuntingNematodes]

Is the easiest wat to tell the Jr from the GFL the focus knob?

[75RR]

Is the easiest wat to tell the Jr from the GFL the focus knob?

GFL has internal illumination and will take a variety of condensors. (see linked pdf above)

[BramHuntingNematodes]

Ah well I too am learning some things about the Continental microscopes.

[75RR]

.
Here is a link to a brochure on cleaning microscopes: https://microscopy.duke.edu/sites/micro ... scsope.pdf

Make sure to store it in its box if you have it, if not, then place a couple of cotton pillow cases over it. Dust and molds destroy microscopes.

[Wes]

The Junior was my first microscope and I have very fond memories of it. Its built like a tank and will probably outlast you, very robust design and quality optics.

Have fun with your new scope

[sandnamek]

Ah, thank you all! I'll definitely post some more info when I receive it. It was shipped from Florida today.

[sandnamek]

Well it turns out that I also picked up a Bausch and Lomb Compound Microscope. I made an offer on Ebay that I didnt think was going to be accepted. Now I am expecting two microscopes. Eek..
I guess I'll give them both a good use and sell one or gift it to a newphew.

This microscope includes:

Height adjustable Abbe condenser.
Binocular head.
10X eyepieces.
4X objective.
10X objective.
40X objective.
100X oil immersion objective.

Much more of a pro microscope I believe! I cant wait to get these both in.

Here are some pics:

[hans]

I made an offer on Ebay that I didnt think was going to be accepted. Now I am expecting two microscopes. Eek..

This is how I ended up with ~10 pounds of surplus slides and cover glass... apparently there is a glut of that and sellers are desperate?

[BramHuntingNematodes]

Apo can correct where I'm mistaken, but that's one of them late japanese B&L galen's. It's more of like a clinical scope, and I wouldn't expect it to look much superior to them old Zeiss lenses if they're all in good shape. Might give them both a try though and tell us what you think!

[MicroBob]

Congratulations to your new microscopes!
The Standard Junior differs from the GFL in these areas:

-function of the focus gear, interlocked on the Junior, working the stage, the more modern setup
-condenser mount, Junior has sleeve mount, GFL has ring dovetail like the later Standard RA,14 on
-illumination, "L" in GFL means built in light. Juniors were intended to be used with mirror and external lamp, though my Bundeswehr Junior was later modified by Zeiff to have a lamp in the base

Your Junior has the later, more robust focus gears, similar to what the Zeiss Standards had, probably the most bullet proof focus gear of all. The design and manufacturing of the Junior is absolute first rate, no simplyfied solutions in sight.

Bob

[sandnamek]

Wow thank you for the comparison and all this good information. I'll definitely take some time to use both and let everyone know what a noob like me thinks of them. I'm excited!