Fiber-Optic Cable to Specifically Direct Light

[DonSchaeffer]

Since I bought my microscope, I've been trying out stop filters, means of making shadows, and being able to see opaque subjects. I bought some fiber optic cable which finally arrived today. Now I'm working on the mechanics of creating a system (with no resources except pieces of plastic and tape). It's really a complicated problem to get the cable which, on one end, is pressed against a lamp, to get directed onto the subject in a stable way. Using some clips and velcro, I have had some limited early success without ruining my microscope.
These photos of specimens from a wild flower were made with the fiber-optics only--no other light source (40x objective).

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Here's my setup.

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[MichaelG.]

Looks promising, Don

MichaelG.

[DonSchaeffer]

Thanks Michael. I still can't use it with the higher powered objectives. The lenses block the light beam.

[DonSchaeffer]

In actual fact, I have a feeling that microscopes don't much like up-stage lighting. My microscope seems to respond better--make better use of light that passes through the condenser. I modified my use of the fiber-optic cable to pass it through the condenser via the side of the filter holder. Now it works with all objectives and doesn't get in the way of what happens on the stage.