MicrobeHunter.com Microscopy Forum

Hi

I recently got my first microscopes. A Carl Zeiss standard with an epi fluorescence attachment and a Nikon optiphot with phase contrast condenser. I picked them up for quite a good deal but they have been standing open in an warehouse for at least the last two years so need a really good clean and some TLC.

I have already found a a lot of useful information on the forum as well as the microbehunter website and podcast and look forward to learning more from the community.

Melch wrote:Hi

I recently got my first microscopes. A Carl Zeiss standard with an epi fluorescence attachment and a Nikon optiphot with phase contrast condenser. I picked them up for quite a good deal but they have been standing open in an warehouse for at least the last two years so need a really good clean and some TLC.

I have already found a a lot of useful information on the forum as well as the microbehunter website and podcast and look forward to learning more from the community.

Congratulations! There are important safety measures to observe with the Zeiss fluorescense illumination.

Hi Melch, welcome

A Carl Zeiss standard with an epi fluorescence attachment and a Nikon optiphot with phase contrast condenser.

Nice start! Do post some photos of them in the My Microscope section.

This should help with the cleaning: https://microscopy.duke.edu/sites/micro ... scsope.pdf

Hi, and welcome.

Melch wrote:Hi

I recently got my first microscopes. A Carl Zeiss standard with an epi fluorescence attachment and a Nikon optiphot with phase contrast condenser. I picked them up for quite a good deal but they have been standing open in an warehouse for at least the last two years so need a really good clean and some TLC.

I have already found a a lot of useful information on the forum as well as the microbehunter website and podcast and look forward to learning more from the community.

Hello from another new person... Nice group here.

Hobbyst46 wrote:

Melch wrote:Hi

There are important safety measures to observe with the Zeiss fluorescense illumination.

Thanks for the warning about the safety issues. I have read about that elsewhere but still need to find out more on this and the required precautions.

75RR wrote:Hi Melch, welcome

This should help with the cleaning: https://microscopy.duke.edu/sites/micro ... scsope.pdf

Thanks for the link. That looks very useful.

Melch wrote:

Hobbyst46 wrote:

Melch wrote:Hi

There are important safety measures to observe with the Zeiss fluorescense illumination.

Thanks for the warning about the safety issues. I have read about that elsewhere but still need to find out more on this and the required precautions.

I am guessing that the lamp is a high pressure mercury lamp, 50 or 100W or 150W perhaps a Xenon lamp, 75W, those are ubiquitous.

First, these lamps emit UV (they are also extremely bright), so never look directly at the beam. It takes several minutes for the lamp to reach its full power after turned on. Install a UV shield below the eyepieces. Have a pair of UV-protective goggles or eyeglasses ready, in the case when bulb alignment is required (usually only after bulb replacement). For focusing, an image of the bulb is formed by projection on a wall or screen, at a distance of ~2m.

Second, never touch the lamp after it has been turned off, before it cooled down to near room temperature. They are sensitive and tend to explode in extreeme cases. Also, never touch the bulb with bare fingers. Use gloves or wrap the bulb with a paper wipe. Avoid mechanical shocks to the bulb.