Fibre optic light sources

[jfiresto]

Brochure says for the second knob: "Mechanical brightness control without variation of the light’s color temperature" so I presumed it is an iris.

For the small switch it says: "Switch for optimizing the illumination", I suppose it is the one you mention, hopefully the supplements are included

I edited my above post. You should have both, along with some refinements Schott made to the classic design over the years.

[imkap]

It has an iris and some options, even an LCD screen

Those smaller tips should work better near microscope objectives than do more typical 13mm tips...

I hope so, although focusing lens will be on my TO DO list

[ddy5]

The Schott KL series are very nice lights. I've used a KL1500 for years without problems.

I recently opened up a KL2500. The constant light temperature intensity control turns out not to be an iris. It's a large, thin perforated metal wheel. The size and number of the perforations vary systematically. When the dial is turned all the way in one direction, the light goes through hundreds of tiny holes. In the other direction, the light goes through a smaller number of larger holes. Seems like a very clever way of maintaining a uniform beam and avoiding the change in beam diameter that an iris would cause.

Cheers, David

[imkap]

The Schott KL series are very nice lights. I've used a KL1500 for years without problems.

I recently opened up a KL2500. The constant light temperature intensity control turns out not to be an iris. It's a large, thin perforated metal wheel. The size and number of the perforations vary systematically. When the dial is turned all the way in one direction, the light goes through hundreds of tiny holes. In the other direction, the light goes through a smaller number of larger holes. Seems like a very clever way of maintaining a uniform beam and avoiding the change in beam diameter that an iris would cause.

Cheers, David

Thanks for the info, David I thought that the iris might cause some different effects, but presumed they solved this somehow.

The light still didn't arrive I'll sure post some impressions when it does.

P. S. There are some more of these (Zeiss branded) on ebay in Europe at half a price I paid if anyone is interested I'll send a link. Of course I saw them a day after ordering. But no matter, karma always comes back. I just got 3 microphones in great working condition at maybe 50% of a usual used price, so when it all adds up I'm quite happy.

[imkap]

The unit arrived and it is in great condition, I've checked the guides they seem to be working and the light is very strong, so we're happy. I think I understand the purpose of the focusing lens now, so I'll try to DIY. I have some spare eyepieces which might do the purpose and a 3d printer.

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[imkap]

I have some delaminated KPL W 10x eyepieces which seem to have a perfect housing (the top part) for making of the focusing lens like these on the link below.
https://www.schott.com/en-us/products/k ... ccessories

I'd just have to make a lower part (3d print or even make it on a lathe) which could be attached to the cable and screw it on the top part. Meiji techno has similar focusing lens for their cables and the focal length of these is 28mm. If I understand correctly (I found the info on Cloudy Nights ), my eyepieces should be 25mm, so I suppose it should be close enough. Especially that I don't know what FL was used by Schott on their units. I don't suppose it should make a difference except that I'd need to make the housing of a proper length to be able to focus with the lens I have...
Do you think it should work?
Thanks

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[viktor j nilsson]

Yes for sure, I have used Wild 10x eyepieces as collimating optics for light sources before, and they seem very good for the job.

[imkap]

Yes for sure, I have used Wild 10x eyepieces as collimating optics for light sources before, and they seem very good for the job.

Thanks

[imkap]

Done, it works nice... Who says delaminated eyepieces aren't useful

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[Hobbyst46]

Done, it works nice... Who says delaminated eyepieces aren.t useful

Please, are those lamps halogen or LED ? what wattage ?

[imkap]

Done, it works nice... Who says delaminated eyepieces aren.t useful

Please, are those lamps halogen or LED ? what wattage ?

The 15V 150W halogen lamp is in the housing and optic fibers lead the light through the goosenecks.

[Hobbyst46]

Done, it works nice... Who says delaminated eyepieces aren.t useful

Please, are those lamps halogen or LED ? what wattage ?

The 15V 150W halogen lamp is in the housing and optic fibers lead the light through the goosenecks.

Thanks. So 75W per arm... my own Stereo top lamp is a 1W LED, intensity will probably suffer if I add a KPL eyepiece...

[MichaelG.]

Brochure says for the second knob: "Mechanical brightness control without variation of the light’s color temperature" so I presumed it is an iris.

.
The Volpi illuminator has a very cleverly arranged disc with tapered slots.
… I have the patent ‘somewhere’

Will try to locate it tomorrow.

MichaelG.
.
Edit: __ easier than I expected: It’s available, in English, as Canadian Patent CA2075990 (A1) ― 1992-06-19

[Sliding Focus]

That is very clever to use eyepieces for the focusing lenses, and it looks like it worked great! Focusing lenses are definitely nice to have, IMO.

[imkap]

That is very clever to use eyepieces for the focusing lenses, and it looks like it worked great! Focusing lenses are definitely nice to have, IMO.

Yeah, it works great and was to my surprise very easy to make, just put the eyepieces on the printed adapters...

[elaniobro]

Hi, I stumbled upon this post while googling.

I was wondering if someone could help me understand why, a Dolan Jenner MI-150 Fiber Lite can list for $1-200 on ebay but also costs $700 new. I was also hoping one of you might be able to help me understand the pros/cons when compared to a Schott

I was all ready to dish out hundred for an AM scope 300w halogen -> Fiber, but seeing these strong LED/Fiber for cheap has me second guessing myself. Vibrations from one of the Halogens, with fans to keep cool, is a concern for me, given I plan to use this with a focus rail Microscope Objective on my mirror less camera setup.

Lastly, I am thinking a mini O ring would be best, to place on the microscope objective through for best illumination.

[Sliding Focus]

Hi, I stumbled upon this post while googling.

I was wondering if someone could help me understand why, a Dolan Jenner MI-150 Fiber Lite can list for $1-200 on ebay but also costs $700 new. I was also hoping one of you might be able to help me understand the pros/cons when compared to a Schott

I was all ready to dish out hundred for an AM scope 300w halogen -> Fiber, but seeing these strong LED/Fiber for cheap has me second guessing myself. Vibrations from one of the Halogens, with fans to keep cool, is a concern for me, given I plan to use this with a focus rail Microscope Objective on my mirror less camera setup.

Lastly, I am thinking a mini O ring would be best, to place on the microscope objective through for best illumination.

First of all, don’t buy a new Amscope fiber optic light source—as you’ve seen, for your purposes as a hobbyist, a used one from a name brand is fine and will cost less.

Vibration can be a problem with these lights, and folks have devised a variety of ways to mitigate or eliminate it, e.g. by mounting the illuminator on a shelf not connected to the work surface or making sure the work surface is made of something sturdy and heavy that dampens vibrations (like granite). However, if you can manage the vibration, they are very nice to use. Since you’re focused on photography, you may get more and better advice in this area over on photomacrography.net.

I don’t have an answer for why fiber optic illuminators depreciate so much, but if I had to guess, the answer would simply be that there’s not much demand for used ones compared to the available supply. They’ve been made in large quantities, pretty much only appeal to businesses (rather than consumers), and businesses that need them probably prefer to buy new if they can (if it were something that helped you make money, wouldn’t you?).

I also can’t tell you pros/cons of Dolan-Jenner vs. Schott, but FWIW, I really like my Dolan-Jenner 180. From what I’ve heard, both brands produce a quality product that does the same very simple thing. Used Dolan-Jenners seem to run somewhat cheaper, but some Schotts have nicer features (e.g. a set of apertures rather than a rheostat for brightness control).

No idea what you mean about the O-ring…

[Sure Squintsalot]

I was wondering if someone could help me understand why, a Dolan Jenner MI-150 Fiber Lite can list for $1-200 on ebay but also costs $700 new. I was also hoping one of you might be able to help me understand the pros/cons when compared to a Schott

I was all ready to dish out hundred for an AM scope 300w halogen -> Fiber, but seeing these strong LED/Fiber for cheap has me second guessing myself. Vibrations from one of the Halogens, with fans to keep cool, is a concern for me, given I plan to use this with a focus rail Microscope Objective on my mirror less camera setup.

I bought an old Leitz halogen unit for $25 and replaced the light with 35W high CRI LED and disconnected the fan. It's supernova bright and gets a little warm, but never hot. The dimmer doesn't work, but simply moving the lights back a little solves that problem.

There's really nothing to these units other than a sales pitch when purchased new.

[MichaelG.]

Lastly, I am thinking a mini O ring would be best, to place on the microscope objective through for best illumination.

.

No idea what you mean about the O-ring…

Presumably what’s also known as Ring-Light

MichaelG.