Is a 2x objective worth having?

[Scoper]

I am slowly putting together a system and I am looking at objectives beyond the 4-10-40-100x set normally seen.

Is a 2x objective useful?

Thanks

[Tom Jones]

What are you looking at? A 2x is is a scanning lens generally, and often in tissue pathology. I would much prefer a 20x, particularly with protozoa and the like.

[charlie g]

Hi, for my wetland and freshwater pondlife...my Plan 2X is excellent for many of the larger plants and animals.

Yes, when my targets are protozoa and smaller algae, the 2X objective is a 'scan tool'...but it is essential for larger plants and the colonies organized on these plants...same goes for colonies on snail shells, or frog eggs, etc. .

For a 'microscopy world views' of sampled living assemblages..a Plan 2X is much more than a 'cover lots of wetmount slide areas/ scan tool'..this Plan 2X view depicts so many relationships on colonized structures.

charlie g

[Scarodactyl]

Most of them aren't great, but it can be really nice for overviews.

[Alexander]

Many condensers will not fully and evenly illuminate a 2x objective.

[apochronaut]

It might seem like a 2X is an easy objective to manufacture due to it's limited magnification but in order to manufacture one that has performance that is consistent with the other objectives in an objective series, it is technically difficult. So, that means there are two kinds of 2X objectives. 1) those that just magnify 2X and will give you the broad overview to scan with enough of a quality image to further investigate details under greater magnification and 2) those that are designed in themselves to provide superior evenly lit imaging over a 10mm or greater field at $$$$$.
Both require a special w.f. condenser or supplemental condenser and unless you are into a unique macro subject that 20X at high N.A. is an absolute requirement for, get an inexpensive second hand stereo to satisfy your 20X quality imaging needs. An older AO 580 or B & L stereozoom can both be set up cheaply with trans-illumination and will achieve most of what a 500.00 or more 2X can do. Even a Cycloptic too. They can be set up to carry standard slides and offer much more than just a 2X objective stand in.

[charlie g]

Hi all, my 'work horse stand' is a Nikon Labophot Pol 'clinical microscope' finite 160 mm stand...circa 1980's??. This stands 1.25 na substage condenser has a turrent of: BF, DF, Ph1, Ph2, Ph3, Ph4 settings.

My Nikon Plan 2X works well with both darkfield, and bright field...I do have to 'stand on my head with adjustments' to use my Nikon Plan 1X objective.

I can not speak to cobbled systems...on Nikon Labophot finite 160 mm stand , Plan 2X works with both BF, and DF.

In oh so many instances, the Plan 2X offers important observational insight to our living neighbors structures, and the reality of an assemblage.

I pine to purchase a functional/ out off the box Trans-Dic stand...but to date my Plan 2X objective works well on my finite Nikon Labophot.

The 'foot print' of a stereo microscope on my microscope bench never justifies keeping this tool at my observational bench..space is limited, stereo stands have their use..but with Plan 1X, and Plan 2X objectives...my stereo stands are best for outreach with neighbor children ( wow factor when they observe blood cell circulation in the tail of a tiny fish!...or the seemingly 'fast' movement of the minute-hand, or hour hand of an elders 'wrist-watch' ( try and find a family member wearing a 'wrist-watch' these days?!!

all the best, charlie g.

[Phill Brown]

Hi all, my 'work horse stand' is a Nikon Labophot Pol 'clinical microscope' finite 160 mm stand...circa 1980's??. This stands 1.25 na substage condenser has a turrent of: BF, DF, Ph1, Ph2, Ph3, Ph4 settings.

My Nikon Plan 2X works well with both darkfield, and bright field...I do have to 'stand on my head with adjustments' to use my Nikon Plan 1X objective.

I can not speak to cobbled systems...on Nikon Labophot finite 160 mm stand , Plan 2X works with both BF, and DF.

In oh so many instances, the Plan 2X offers important observational insight to our living neighbors structures, and the reality of an assemblage.

I pine to purchase a functional/ out off the box Trans-Dic stand...but to date my Plan 2X objective works well on my finite Nikon Labophot.

The 'foot print' of a stereo microscope on my microscope bench never justifies keeping this tool at my observational bench..space is limited, stereo stands have their use..but with Plan 1X, and Plan 2X objectives...my stereo stands are best for outreach with neighbor children ( wow factor when they observe blood cell circulation in the tail of a tiny fish!...or the seemingly 'fast' movement of the minute-hand, or hour hand of an elders 'wrist-watch' ( try and find a family member wearing a 'wrist-watch' these days?!!

all the best, charlie g.

As an horologist I would choose a stereo as the mechanical world is not reversed.
I have a labophot 2 with a phase 2 condenser, wasn't aware of a plan X2.
Can't beat DF and POL for the WOW factor for a new viewer.
DIC is a bit spendy, missed a Vickers DIC for £250 when we were not allowed to travel in lockdown.

[charlie g]

Is it true, Phil Brown, that 'horologist' ( as opposed to : 'clock maker/ clock repair')...is it true that our word for unit of time: ' the hour'..is related to our word: horologist?

My dad repaired fine wrist watches in NYC/ 'diamond district'.

My thanks to OP for asking about use of a 2X objective...different horses, for different courses. For my wetlands/ pondwater live communities microscopy..the Plan 2X objective is much more than a 'tool for scan of large areas of wetmount slides'...but it all depends on what your microscopy size realms are. charlie g ( images show fish fry with it's developing chromatophore surface structures, and developing toad embryo ).

[Phill Brown]

Diploma in horology.
It covers from replacing a watch battery to turret clocks.
It's good to specialise in a size range rather than jack of all trades.
I'm ok from ladies Seiko automatic up to Vienna regulator.
Anything but cuckoo clocks.

[osterport]

Yes, if you want to take a look at small insects, or flower, it gives you an overview. Not like 4x, 5x, where you only see a small portion of it.
[youtube]https://youtu.be/dtIyunkmYH4?si=dvtt-Cgv-iuUTdhu[/youtube]

[charlie g]

Yes, yes, osterport...your 2X microscopy of that insect humbles me with all that gross anatomy/ morphology in the image captures ( hear, hear for Andy Chicks low cost text: " Microscopy of Insects".) .

Thank you, OP, for this thread...a Plan 2X objective is so much more then a 'scan the slide for targets' tool...depending on your microscopy size realms.

The huge limbs, from my stand alone huge black walnut tree..host germinated grass from the meadow this tree has been contributing to, as an active part of the community

Plan 2X objective opens understanding into the level of root development on these bark grass populations, these bark germinated grasses already manifest well developed roots/ well developed root-hairs on this black

walnut/ below outter bark rizosphere. My maple trees ( almost as tall as this black walnut tree), my pear trees, my apple trees never host emergent grasses.

Op...thanks for this thread, often multiple size realms give a clear microscopy world view. charlie g