OLYMPUS BX40

[stjepo]

I am new to this hobby. Please, could any one tell me if buying a used OLYMPUS BX40 is a good choice to start?. Which is the price that I should pay?.

Thanks for the help

Stjepo

[Hobbyst46]

When well-equipped and in prime condition, this microscope is a quite high level research lab instrument, not the top but very good for all types of illumination. Optically it is excellent.
Some such scopes I see on eBay are 2800 USD and up, and they are not even fully loaded with objectives and other accessories. When objectives are included they are achromats or plan at the most. One BX40 is only 1250 USD, but it needs repair and head replacement. It is offered as "for parts or not working". A risky transaction in my opinion.
Objectives for this scope are infinity corrected and so will be expensive.

Anyway, whatever scope seems attractive, unless it is very inexpensive so not a financial risk, I would try to verify ahead that it is in great mechanical and optical condition. Especially at a price of 3+ KUSD.

Good luck!

[75RR]

Hi stjepo,
an Olympus BX40 is probably not the best microscope for someone just starting out in microscopy.
Not only is the initial cost substantial but upgrading it is also expensive.
You may be better off purchasing something in the $300 dollar range (i.e. a chinese clone) with which to gain the experience that will enable you to decide on your own if an Olympus BX40 meets your needs.

Here in an article that you may find useful: http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/art ... oscope.pdf

[PeteM]

I bought a BX40 in horrible shape and managed to fix it up to near new condition. It's a very nice scope, but as others have said a pretty lousy deal on a price-performance basis even used. And, unlike some others in the BX series, it doesn't have a removable nosepiece (I ended up making one), a place in the nosepiece for a polarizer or DIC slider, or an especially bright light source. Buying Olympus UIS lenses one at a time will put a serious dent in your budget -- and most Ebay scopes don't have a full complement of lenses. Just a trinocular head might run $700.

If you really want an infinity Olympus scope it might be cheaper to buy an Olympus BHS scope and fit an infinity head and objectives to it? You can also buy an Olympus BH2 series epi adapter and convert the existing head to infinity objectives for both bright field and epi work.

A top level scope to start -- and far more affordable -- might be the top end of Olympus (BH2 series), Nikon (Labophot), Leitz (Laborlux S,D,11,12), Reichert (Microstar IV or Diastar) and Zeiss (Standard) fixed tube models. Maybe around $500 for a nicely equipped scope if you're patient on Ebay. Unless you're planning to insert multiple additions into the lens path (fluorescence, etc.) the 160mm tube length scopes have essentially equal optical quality to what you'd find on a BX40 for 4x the price.

[stjepo]

Thank you for all the answers.

Very helpfull.

Regards

[stjepo]

What do you think about a chinese microscope?

Regards

[PeteM]

I've bought a couple of Chinese microscopes that have an adequate mechanical build and good optics. One was an Accu-Scope 3025 that sold (new) for $1500. Pix here: http://accu-scope.com/products/3025-microscope-series/ There are also AmScope models similar to his, probably built in the same factory. The other a Motic BA400, with Plan Fluor lenses, that was also pretty pricey new.

I don't think either one is a good deal, bought new, compared to one of the Japanese, German, or maybe US (Reichert) built scopes from the 80's and 90's. Very roughly speaking:

- The mechanical build is marginal in the Chinese scopes. Not as precise for focus stacking, not as likely to last a generation or more. Still, quite usable.

- Optics are OK. These came with Plan Achromat and Plan Fluorite lenses. They are not as likely to be well centered or parfocal compared to, say, an Olympus lens that hasn't been abused. But clear images with decent contrast.

- New price of the better Chinese scopes is about 2x the cost of a good used scope. Used price, maybe a bit less (and worth considering).

- In my experience, it's harder to find or afford options. Decent Chinese phase contrast lenses and a condenser might add $700. Only simple polarization is available and not too good. If you ever aspire to DIC, it may not even be available. The used classics have lots of options still available, sometimes reasonably, on Ebay.

- If you're raring to go, afraid of buying used, and want a somewhat affordable but usable Chinese scope, something like an AmScope T490 ($630 at Amazon) wouldn't be a bad scope; but also not what I'd enthusiastically recommend.

[einman]

I would agree with PeteM. I have owned the Accu-scope 3025 and although I believe the optics to be quite good and, per a dealer, the objectives are essentially Olympus objectives, the price is still high and finding optional accessories for reasonable prices is next to impossible.
You would be better off with the other models mentioned.

[75RR]

The trick with getting a chinese starter scope is to keep the price low as they have virtually no resale value - though the nephews will undoubtedly like it when you give it to them - after you have learned all you need to from it.

Here is an Amscope T490 at $268 from Amazon (if you are in the USA) https://www.amazon.com/AmScope-T490-Mag ... Scope+T490

By the way - where are you located?

[Charles]

Watch some of Oliver's YouTube videos on buying a microscope.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKeOuec2KVY&t=604s
And his microscope comparisons:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rU25mfiXktA

[coominya]

I am new to this hobby. Please, could any one tell me if buying a used OLYMPUS BX40 is a good choice to start?

I suppose it's all relative to your income. Someone who drives a Maserati would probably not be content with anything less as a starter scope in my opinion. My income is ok, but I spent $200 on my first scope, an old olympus, just to see if I really wanted to pursue the hobby. I do and have subsequently spent a few thousand more. Honestly, I believe a decent brand second-hand microscope is worth the money since they always seem to hold their value.

[stjepo]

I have being offered a BX40 for 600€ it has only 2 objectives ACH 100X and 40X. Looks in good condition.

Is it a good offer?

[stjepo]

I am located in Spain.

Regards

[stjepo]

I was given a CORRECT TOKYO SEIWA OPTICS (100X 1.25, 40X 0.10, 10X 0.25, 4X 0.10). I haven't found information about it. Must be a cheap old microscope.

Regards

[75RR]

I have being offered a BX40 for 600€ it has only 2 objectives ACH 100X and 40X. Looks in good condition.

Is it a good offer?

It all depends on the condition. Do you know the seller. Can you try it out beforehand?

I was given a CORRECT TOKYO SEIWA OPTICS (100X 1.25, 40X 0.10, 10X 0.25, 4X 0.10). I haven't found information about it.

Post some photos of it. It may turn out to be a great starter microscope.

[PeteM]

If that BX40 is in mint condition, the price is fair. You need to check the electronics and lamp, make sure the slide button is still intact (they often get knocked off), be sure a good condenser is included, check the alignment of the head (binocular? trinocular?), etc.

The two lenses with it are very ordinary. Worse than you might find on something like an Olympus BH2 or Nikon Labophot with wide field Plan Achromat lenses for less money. You might spend another 600 euro just getting decent plan infinity lenses. And with 1200 Euro to spend you might find a scope already equipped with those better lenses and perhaps a trinocular head, etc.

[stjepo]

Sorry the delay. After a big crash restoring Win 10 and installing the programs took some time. Here are the pictures of the OLYMPUS BX40. I asume that is Trnocular how ca I: "but be sure a good condenser is included," how can I "check the alignment of the head".

Regards

[stjepo]

Sorry, too big my previous font. This is the Saiwa. Light has been changed. Now is a led light 12v 3w 3000 color temperature. As you can see is not trinocular but a new head has been added. This is the frankenstein.

Salt, oil and pepper not included.

I want it only for taking pictures.

Which objectives should I get? Will it fit in my 'monster'? I will make some pictures with a D90 for you to judge.

[Hobbyst46]

Congratulations on both scopes!
The Olympus has a trinocular head but probably you will need some adapters on it to connect a camera.
The Olympus condenser appears to be a turret, brightfield and phase contrast condenser. This in principle is a very good condenser.
Both Olympus objectives are achromat phase contrast. 40X Ph2 and 100x Ph3.
To check the optics, I would start by using a stage micrometer slide if you have one (they are now around 10 USD onn eBay) or a slide of a sharp contrast object (dyed plant tissue for example) and try to achieve Kohler illumination. Then slowly raise and lower the condenser within its range of movement, check if the field aperture stays in the center; setup Kohler with the 40x objective, then switch to the 100x objective and verify parfocality and that the quality of illumination has not changed much.
Frankly speaking, it would be better to run such check-ups with lower mag objectives, especially a 10X, and this can be done even with the simplest cheapest achromat, BUT it must be infinity-corrected.

I am not clear about the head of the Seiwa. The grey head is trinocular, looks like from another maker (AO??).
Was it replaced with another head, the one shown in the bottom photos? because that latter one is binocular IMO and it will be less convenient for photography!

I suspect that the Seiwa condenser is an Abbe condenser.

I tried to find info on old Seiwa microscopes but could not find any. What I saw in the modern Seiwa web site describes is only dedicated special purpose instruments. From your posted photos I cannot decide if the objectives are for a finite tube length, like 160mm. If so, they are not interchangeable with the BX40 objectives, so you will want to buy specific 10X (or the like) infinity-corrected objectives for the BX40. In that case, check out the possibility of buying a good quality phase contrast 10Xobjective.

[stjepo]

Thanks for your answer.

Well I have not bought the Olympus jet. No answer from the seller.

The one I have is the 'monster'. Its original head is binocular and the AO trinocular head was added later.

I will try to make some pictures.

The condenser

[stjepo]

Here the objectives.

Regards

[Hobbyst46]

For a starter, the Seiwa is more appropriate than the BX40, at least price-wise.
Why 'monster'? it is quite small and looks fine to me.
I do not see a diaphragm handle or rotation scale on the condenser - it is probably on the back hidden side. Is there an iris diaphragm inside?

The objectives are a nice set of achromats. Whether they can be upgraded (replaced with better/more features ones) depends on if the thread is RMS, and if the parfocality length is DIN (45mm). Old Japanese objectives, Olympus included, had a short (~36mm) back in the 60-70s.
Luckily there are AO experts on this forum to help in the coupling of the trino head to the scope.

Anyway, enjoy! start using it, and within a few weeks you will be much more familiar with microscopy!

[stjepo]

How you can know if it is RMS, and if the parfocality length is DIN (45mm).

Regards

[stjepo]

I meant MONSTER = FRANKENSTEIN... one body two different heads.

Regards

[Hobbyst46]

The standard RMS thread is 0.8" (20.32mm) diameter 36 turns/inch. The diameter can be checked with a caliper. Its maximum diameter, not "inside" the turns.
However, checking the thread is only important if you later wish to upgrade, namely, add better corrected objectives. On toy microscopes and other very cheap microscopes objectives have often narrower non standard threads.

Quote "I meant MONSTER = FRANKENSTEIN... one body two different heads." -

[stjepo]

I found this in the case.


Regards

[Hobbyst46]

Valuable document. Hence it is a Japanese standard, namely the same mechanical thread as RMS, but intended for 170mm tube length rather than the more common 160mm, and 36mm object distance, the distance from the shoulder of the objective to the specimen when in focus. These are called "short" objectives sometimes. Were used on Olympus microscopes from the early 1970's. So, if and when wishing upgrade objectives, look for JIS objectives.

[stjepo]

Fly me to the moon....


Regards

[stjepo]

This is better

Regards

[stjepo]

Thanks Hobbyst46 for your advice.


Regards