Stage Plate, Frosted or Clear?

[SanFran77]

Hello,

I own a Nikon SMZ-U stereo microscope and have an issue with the stage plate which is chipped and scratched. The clear stage plate is 85mm in diameter and quite difficult to find domestically. Offers from China (*) usually have frosted glass plates.

Before I venture out and order, I wanted to ask what the applications for frosted vs clear stage plates are, or if I should default to one.

(*) https://www.ebay.com/itm/Stereo-Microsc ... SwcqFdkdEx

Thank you!

[Alexander]

Most probably you will do fine with a frosted one. They don't work with polarization-filters underneath them but as long as this is not what you want to do, you are fine.

My personal experience with China made frosted plates is somewhat disgusting. The Chinese frequently are unable to evenly frost the entire surface of the plate. It will work but don't expect a neat product.

[Scarodactyl]

It depends if you have a normal illuminated base or a brightfield/darkfield base. Darkfield won't work with a frosted plate.

[einman]

Depending on the base ,as mentioned, if it has the light/darkfield option you want a clear glass plate.

[Scoper]

Some hobby stores have glass discs available.

Also some older hardware stores will cut glass discs to order.

There are individuals on Ebay and Esty that cuts glass discs to size.

[PeteM]

To my surprise, I've found that a frosted glass plate works OK for simple polarization on my SZH10 and SMZ-U.

The illumination is from an imported LED plate. Above it is a linear polarizer, followed by a cheap frosted (both sides) glass stage plate. The objective has a linear polarizer. The polarization effect is seen with chemical crystals and is as good as seen through a compound microscope at a similar magnification.

Your results may vary, but for the price, I'd give a frosted plate a try.

I can't imagine darkfield working, though.

[Topcode]

A frosted plate is not a bad choice, but the SMZ-U mirror under stage glass already has a frosted and mirrored side, which may make a clear plate a far more versatile choice

[zzffnn]

You may buy one frosted glass plate and one clear glass plate?

If not, buy two clear plates and spray on “frost spray” to make one of the two frosted? Solvent can remove that frost coat, in case you change your mind.

[Sure Squintsalot]

I can't imagine what problem a frosted plate solves that a simple sheet of vellum or parchment paper couldn't solve for far cheaper.

Also, a clear plate underlain with un-illuminated black paper makes nice darkfield stereoscopy possible. Absolutely go with a clear plate.

[PeteM]

The OP's dilemma is that the only cheap 85 mm glass stage plates he can find available for sale are already frosted.

[zzffnn]

I don’t know for sure, though OP may be able to turn a frosted plate to semi-clear by applying some slow-drying silicone oil?

[Macro_Cosmos]

Why not both, they are less than $10 a pop from China and the quality is pretty good.
Additionally, get yourself a 2-sided black/white plate too.

[J_WISC]

I second trying Etsy. Here is an EXAMPLE not an endorsement …

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1379055452 ... hrough-399

I ordered a smooth white glass disc from a different vendor to use as a “mirror”. It was very nice. Inspect photos closely when searching Etsy and don’t necessarily go with first vendor you find. Price and quality and shipping vary immensely.

[SanFran77]

Appreciate all your feedback. I ended up using clear glass. A correction, the diameter for the SMZ-U stage glass that I have is 89mm. I ended up ordering from AndrewGlasswright, an Etsy store: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1379055452 ... hrough-399, the thickness was too low and the glass sharp on the edge, but overall okay.

Edit: the thickness is roughly half of what it should be, and the shop owner cannot make thicker glass. I have two plates on top of each other now, but that's not a good solution either. Just FYI so that if someone wants to buy there, they know.