Hello from Sunny Wiltshire

[watsonfee]

Hi I've just joined the forum. I am a Biology Technician in a secondary school but that doesn't mean I know a lot about microscopes! Our school has a mix of old and new microscopes but I'm currently furloughed so they're off limits.

I have just bought a Vickers binocular microscope, for my own use, that I think is a M15c model - the scope is inscribed with SUZD 137 but I can find no reference for that. I'd be interested to know if anyone out there has heard of this or has a manual. There are a few things about it that I don't recognise/realise the significance of such as the flip out lens on the condenser. I'd like to see if I could set up dark field or even phase contrast on this microscope.

I've done a bit of staining and sectioning over the years but wouldn't call myself anything but an enthusiastic amateur. Our 16 yr old is going to start A level Biology in September so I'd like to do more with it to see if he enjoys it.

Bye for now

Fee

[75RR]

Hi watsonfee, welcome.

Could you post some photos of your microscope? Max size 1024 x 1024 and 512KB, just drag and drop

[watsonfee]

Sorry for the delay - had trouble finding a camera that wouldn't take huge pictures.

Vickers 1.jpg (113.98 KiB) Viewed 3098 times

Vickers 2.jpg (91.79 KiB) Viewed 3098 times

Vickers 3.jpg (96.55 KiB) Viewed 3098 times

Vickers 4.jpg (94.57 KiB) Viewed 3098 times

Hopefully they are ok.

Many thanks

Fiona

[Hobbyst46]

A very nice microscope ! looks like there is a field aperture, meaning possibly Kohler illumination.

[photomicro]

I have a brochure for this microscope, and the May 1967 price list, when prices were quoted in pounds, shillings and pence.

As I recall it was billed as a laboratory microscope with research capabilities.

Yours is shown with the mains voltage illuminator, yet has the rheostat control which normally went with the Kohler illuminator.

If my memory serves me correct, it was used as the model used to demonstrate principles of microscopy in a book, possibly;

How to use the microscope by Hall and Linssen.

SUZD most likely stands for Sheffield University Zoology Dept. (or another University beginning with S)

Good solid stands.

[mrsonchus]

Looks a beauty! Congratulations.
It really does look solidly made, very nice.

[watsonfee]

Thanks everyone - very interesting. I'm very pleased with it and I think the optics are pretty good - better than the student ones I use at work. There is another one on EBay referenced "Vickers SUIB 30" - Sheffield Uni having a clearout maybe?

Excuse the ignorance Hobbyst46, but what did you mean by "field aperture"?

Thank you for the information on the book by Hall and Linssen. I love old books on anything to do with practical Science. There's so much in them that has been lost even if some of the chemicals used wouldn't be allowed in my workplace!

The microscope has a flip-out additional lens on the condenser. I have tried in in and out but cannot see much of a difference so I'm obviously missing something.

I'd love to know if I could fit a phase contrast condenser to this model and if so some advice on tracking down one that would fit and the objectives to pair with it.

Thanks again. I'll try and post some images if I come up with anything interesting.

[photomicro]

Excuse the ignorance Hobbyst46, but what did you mean by "field aperture"?

Thank you for the information on the book by Hall and Linssen. I love old books on anything to do with practical Science. There's so much in them that has been lost even if some of the chemicals used wouldn't be allowed in my workplace!

The microscope has a flip-out additional lens on the condenser. I have tried in in and out but cannot see much of a difference so I'm obviously missing something.

I'd love to know if I could fit a phase contrast condenser to this model and if so some advice on tracking down one that would fit and the objectives to pair with it.

Thanks again. I'll try and post some images if I come up with anything interesting.

The field aperture is a diaphragm (iris) in-between the light source and the lens that is sitting in the base. The function is to limit the illuminated field to one that can be encompassed by the objective being used. So, for a low power, you would need to light more area than a high power. It helps stop glare from outside the field of view spoiling the image.

The flip-top; the little lens probably needs to be 'in' for the x20 and above, and 'out' for lower than this. It may be touch and go which for the x10, and would depend on the lighting system.

Yes, you can fit a phase-contrast condenser to this model, but does that mean the objectives are phase?

If you would like a scan of the brochure, PM me. I might be able to find the manual too.