Inverted vs Stereoscope or Compound for Pond water organisms

[Scarodactyl]

It's basically just two knobs which partially block light from one side or the other, though I think it is done in a fancy fashion optically. You can also slide the mirror back and forth and rotate to get varying oblique/darkfield angles, overall it is extremely nice to use. Nikon's OCC is similar but one-sided and less controllable. You can get a somewhat similar effect with the rotating and tilting mirror on a Diagnostic Instruments TLB series base too. It's not DIC but it can look similar and give a similarly pleasing effect at low mags.

[MichaelG.]

Thanks for that ^^^

MichaelG.

[einman]

It's basically just two knobs which partially block light from one side or the other, though I think it is done in a fancy fashion optically. You can also slide the mirror back and forth and rotate to get varying oblique/darkfield angles, overall it is extremely nice to use. Nikon's OCC is similar but one-sided and less controllable. You can get a somewhat similar effect with the rotating and tilting mirror on a Diagnostic Instruments TLB series base too. It's not DIC but it can look similar and give a similarly pleasing effect at low mags.

Hmm...I have the Olympus SZX2-iLLT but it only uses regular oblique. so no help there.

[MichaelG.]

Nice interactive demonstration of Nikon’s OCC
https://www.microscopyu.com/tutorials/o ... lumination

MichaelG.

[Scoper]

What magnifications are most useful?

[Rorschach]

I have one of those Leica BF/DF/Rotterman bases but haven't been able to find the Leica adapter for putting a Wild trapezoid column on it. I have searched the planet for the adapter but to no avail. Fortunately I was recently able to get the blueprint from Leica's finnish representative so will be able to have one manufactured at a metal workshop. The things we do, the lengths we go, to be able to tailor our systems...

[Scarodactyl]

All you need is a drill press and a plate of aluminum.

[Rorschach]

All you need is a drill press and a plate of aluminum.

Hmm, okay that looks promising. That's a different column and meant for another scope but I guess I would just need to calculate the offset difference between optical axes in the Wild trapezoid system and the Leica system, then drill holes accordingly. I guess you didn't need to do threading on the holes in the aluminium plate?

[jfiresto]

... I guess you didn't need to do threading on the holes in the aluminium plate?

If you need to, you can use the drill press for that. Roll/form taps are the bee's knees for aluminum – but more exacting. I clamp the workpiece in a drill press vise and use it and the drill press to drill true three times (bulk, bevel and ream to size). I then pop open the drill press and use it to guide the tap as I hand turn the spindle.

[Scarodactyl]

You don't need to tap any holes for this one. You just need to do some careful measurements. Mine is actually off a little bit but I've been too lazy to adjust it.

[Rorschach]

You don't need to tap any holes for this one. You just need to do some careful measurements. Mine is actually off a little bit but I've been too lazy to adjust it.

Ok, that's great! What thickness is your plate? Oh, and thanks jifiresto for the good tips on tapping!

Here's the blueprints I got from Leica. For others to use as well.

The first one here is for the Wild M8 etc. round columns:

Adapter_blueprint_for_Wild_round_column_to_Leica_transmitted_bases.jpg (54.92 KiB) Viewed 6414 times

And the second one is for the Wild M3Z, M10 etc. trapezoidal columns:

Adapter_blueprint_for_Wild_trapezoid_column_to_Leica_transmitted_bases.jpg (50.63 KiB) Viewed 6414 times

I am not sure whether these two will work with the most modern Leica bases or not. But they will work with the slightly older generation bases. The screw holes need to be at correct places. Not sure if there's a difference in the distance of the optical axes from that of the column in the newer Leica bases versus the ones from circa 20 years ago.

[MichaelG.]

Here's the blueprints I got from Leica. For others to use as well.

.
That’s very decent of them … and of you.

MichaelG.

[Rorschach]

Here's the blueprints I got from Leica. For others to use as well.

.
That’s very decent of them … and of you.

MichaelG.

I have received so much help, great advice and tips here that I will try to do what little I can do return the favor

[Scarodactyl]

Very nice, that should save you a lot of work. No need to measure anything, just print it to the right scale and drill through the aluminum. My plate is probably 1/2 of an inch thick (~13mm).

[Scoper]

Returning to the topic of this discussion, what magnifications are most useful in observing pond water organisms?

Those magnifications will determine the type of scopes and the subsequent optics to use.

[einman]

I generally use 5-10x to spot and 20x to observe depending on the size of the organism. Based on its size and mobility I will switch up to a 40x. At 40x it can be difficult to keep an organism within the FOV unless you use a chemical/physical method to restrict its movements such as CMC or an anesthetizing agent, concave slides or well slides made from washers etc. Most inverted scopes come with at least a 5x,10x, and 20x and some more expensive models with a 40x.

[Scoper]

Thank you for advice…anyone else?

[Scoper]

Bump to the top…looking for more discussion on this topic.

Thanks

[Scarodactyl]

You're going to need to be more specific on what you want to know.

[macnmotion]

Thank you for advice…anyone else?

My inverted scope came with 10x and 40x Plan Phase Contrast, and a 40x Plan APO Oil Immersion. I'm going to get a 20x, it's definitely a hole in my lineup that will be very useful. I've become quite adept at moving around a slide and following organisms at 40x -- with time I think anyone can get pretty decent at it (a lot has to do with anticipating movements based on patterns of behavior and the layout of the environment). To a lesser degree I'd like a 4X, mostly because I use very wide coverslips so being able to scan the slide at wider than 10X would be helpful, but that's at the bottom of my list. Before that I'd be purchasing more Plan Apos. I am also considering a 60X oil, not so much for chasing organisms but for closeup work of very small organisms or interior elements of larger ones.

You are welcome to check out some videos I've made with the 40X oil immersion lens to give you an idea on organism size. My FOV with that objective is 200x360 microns. This link should give you a list:
https://www.thaimicrocosmos.com/tag/oil-immersion/

[einman]

Nice website!
https://www.thaimicrocosmos.com/tag/oil-immersion/

[macnmotion]

Nice website!
https://www.thaimicrocosmos.com/tag/oil-immersion/

Thanks! It's due an update with some recent videos. Maybe this weekend.