MicrobeHunter.com Microscopy Forum

hello everyone,

I purchased an "as is" bh2-uma from ebay. Took a gamble since the price was cheap, but looks like it may have some broken pieces? I don't know. Could anyone tell me what the items below are:

1) The yellow disk shown by the black arrow was rattling around the enclosure pointed to in the image below. What is it for and what is the proper way to install it?

2) The opaque white disk (shown in red arrow) was riding on top of the black insert next to it. Should it be glued on the insert? Is the disk and the insert broken?

thanks for the help

Looks like someone was trying to use it as a fliorescence illuminator(?). Those filters don't belong on it. Did it come with the rotating polarizer insert?

Scarodactyl wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 19, 2023 12:25 am

Looks like someone was trying to use it as a fliorescence illuminator(?). Those filters don't belong on it. Did it come with the rotating polarizer insert?

It did not come with the upo. It does have the bf cube and the other analyzer I think. Far as I can see only the upo is missing

Do these pieces have any use or value?

Still trying to figure out what they are

Oof, the upo is jot easy to find affordably. Maybe a replacement can be 3d printed.

The yellowish disk looks like a long pass filter with 455nm cutoff. That as, at 455nm transmittance is ~50% and above 455 it is near 100%. I think it is a dyed glass filter, not interference. If there is an arrow mark on the metal sleeve, the filter should be installed (in the appropriate device, not necessarily the UMA) such that the arrow points downward from the light source.

Finally got a light source to test the unit. But I can’t see anything through the eyepieces. I’ve the read the manual but can’t get it to work. What am I doing wrong? Video of my troubles is below.

In addition to the video above, I also seem unable to remove the fluorescent or bright field cubes. I’m using the handling screw and inserting it into the bright field cube. Then I try to pull it out but it won’t come out. Is there a small lever or release somewhere that I have to press?

The manual says it “clicks” when you insert. But how do you remove it?

Any help with this?

Is it shining blue with the bf cube in? This one ahould not have fluorescence cubes mounted in it, but we already know it had been modified for that purpose. It probably has an improvised emission filter that will need to be removed.

Scarodactyl wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 26, 2023 12:54 am

Is it shining blue with the bf cube in? This one ahould not have fluorescence cubes mounted in it, but we already know it had been modified for that purpose. It probably has an improvised emission filter that will need to be removed.

How are the cubes removed? Is there a release button somewhere?

Sorry I don't remember.

Scarodactyl wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 26, 2023 3:52 am

Sorry I don't remember.

No worries.

Anyone else know how to remove the cubes? Maybe I’m missing something obvious but i can’t figure it out.

Oh my gosh, I can’t remove the bf cube! Does no one know how to do it?

I see many on eBay by themselves, so clearly it’s possible

How are the cubes removed? Is there a release button somewhere?

The cubes just slide in and click into place. Take the "handling screw" knob that is (or should be) stashed at the front of the illuminator. Remove side magnetic cover. Screw that little knob into the cube. Pull out. If it's stuck, carefully use something like needle nose pliers to get a better grip. Reverse the procedure to put it back in.

PeteM wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 27, 2023 12:24 am

How are the cubes removed? Is there a release button somewhere?

The cubes just slide in and click into place. Take the "handling screw" knob that is (or should be) stashed at the front of the illuminator. Remove side magnetic cover. Screw that little knob into the cube. Pull out. If it's stuck, carefully use something like needle nose pliers to get a better grip. Reverse the procedure to put it back in.

Thanks Pete. That gave me the confidence to pull it out. I yanked as hard as I could and out they came

Incidentally while this is really more expensive than it should be a loose u-po came up on eBay today https://www.ebay.com/itm/225700789751