Darkfield on a stereo scope

[Radazz]

This was easier than I thought.
You need a black background, and to avoid seeing the image of whatever is used for the background, I placed the subject, a male Culex mosquito, on a thick piece of glass to throw the black surface out of focus.


Next, I dropped the ring light around the specimen.


Not bad, and so easy I stumbled upon it.


Enjoy,
Radazz

[mrsonchus]

Ha!Good work Radazz!

I made black-card discs to get the darkfield effect with my stereo 'scope,
the disc is the same size as the bottom of the container.

DF stereo disc (1).jpg (17.25 KiB) Viewed 5210 times

With container,

DF stereo disc (2).jpg (19.79 KiB) Viewed 5210 times

As you say, the height of the specimen is alterable and changes how much light reaches it....

John B.

[Radazz]

Cool solution, my friend!
Yours might have less glare.
I’m waiting for a translucent stage insert for the base, which will let me try your solution.
Thanks,
Jim

[mrsonchus]

Hi Jim, let us know how it goes, it's an interesting area for a stereo 'scope, especially with the translucency of my mossy friends.

John B.

[crb5]

Just discovered this thread. I made a darkfield condenser for a stereo microscope using an ice cream jar lid, a soft drinks can as a reflector and black electrical tape as a back stop.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIXAr5cCDOc

Might need a bit a trial and error to get the optimal dimensions but it costs zero.

[Element 56]

Very interesting and simple! Thanks for sharing it.

Ever try to make a shadowless illuminator? This was in the most recent Quekett Bulletin. I really want to try it but haven't gotten a round to it.

IMG_15092020_171605_(600_x_800_pixel).jpg (115.48 KiB) Viewed 3180 times

Kirby

[Greg Howald]

That's just cool