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Fixing Zeiss 100 Illuminator Concave mirror focus

Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2016 3:02 am
by pdxhiker
Last spring I purchased a Zeiss Standard scope with phase contrast condenser, due to family and work issues, I couldn't test it for correctness. I had difficulties getting Kohler illumination, not matter what I did, there was too much light "bleed" where the iris never got sharp or had a halo around it. After spending many hours, it seems like the the lamp source was not aligned correctly(per Fig 13 in the document below), I only see one one coil when testing the light source never the mirror image. It appears like the concave mirror aligned at the factory is out of collimation, is this something which can be fixed or should I buy a new lamphouse setup.

http://www.science-info.net/docs/zeiss/ ... tor100.pdf

Re: Fixing Zeiss 100 Illuminator Concave mirror focus

Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2016 4:09 am
by lorez
I think you are describing two different problems, which although related are adjusted independently. If you follow the directions in the manual you should be able to adjust the mirror so that the two filament images are visible. The screws for the adjustments are on the back side of the lamp house and are marked in the instructions. Once you have aligned the mirror you can adjust the Kohler illumination. In my experience, the halo around the image of the iris is due to some issue within the condenser.

If you are having problems adjusting the mirror it may be necessary to check the motion of the mirror as you manipulate the adjusting screws.

These steps work for me, but it is difficult to diagnose without seeing the problem.

Re: Fixing Zeiss 100 Illuminator Concave mirror focus

Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2016 10:58 am
by 75RR
The initial setup is done off-microscope with the lamp about 2 - 3 meters from a wall as it suggests in the manual you posted.
Once the basics are correctly setup you can then make the final adjustments with it on the microscope.
Additionally, as part of the overall setup make sure that both the lamp and the condenser are centered.

http://zeiss-campus.magnet.fsu.edu/tuto ... flash.html

Start the interactive tutorial in the link above by centering the element.

Image

Re: Fixing Zeiss 100 Illuminator Concave mirror focus

Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2016 3:20 pm
by pdxhiker
Hvae tried those processes, here is what I see turning the light beam from the lamp two meters.

Re: Fixing Zeiss 100 Illuminator Concave mirror focus

Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2016 3:24 pm
by pdxhiker
lorez wrote:I think you are describing two different problems, which although related are adjusted independently. If you follow the directions in the manual you should be able to adjust the mirror so that the two filament images are visible. The screws for the adjustments are on the back side of the lamp house and are marked in the instructions. Once you have aligned the mirror you can adjust the Kohler illumination. In my experience, the halo around the image of the iris is due to some issue within the condenser.

If you are having problems adjusting the mirror it may be necessary to check the motion of the mirror as you manipulate the adjusting screws.

These steps work for me, but it is difficult to diagnose without seeing the problem.
thanks, I agree that the two issues could be unrelated. First things first is there some detailed instructions on how to align the lamphouse mirror.

Re: Fixing Zeiss 100 Illuminator Concave mirror focus

Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2016 4:56 pm
by lorez
Have you checked inside the lamp house to determine that there is a mirror ? I have seen a few that have no reflecting mirror and the single image is all that you get. A single filament image does not fill the field as well, but does work.

Once you have solved the lamp filament issue you can begin to align the Kohler.

Re: Fixing Zeiss 100 Illuminator Concave mirror focus

Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2016 5:02 pm
by pdxhiker
lorez wrote:Have you checked inside the lamp house to determine that there is a mirror ? I have seen a few that have no reflecting mirror and the single image is all that you get. A single filament image does not fill the field as well, but does work.

Once you have solved the lamp filament issue you can begin to align the Kohler.

yes there is a concave mirror behind the lamp and collector lenses in front of the lamp.

Re: Fixing Zeiss 100 Illuminator Concave mirror focus

Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2016 9:24 pm
by Yvan
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Re: Fixing Zeiss 100 Illuminator Concave mirror focus

Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2016 1:20 am
by pdxhiker
Yvan wrote:
pdxhiker wrote:
lorez wrote:I think you are describing two different problems, which although related are adjusted independently. If you follow the directions in the manual you should be able to adjust the mirror so that the two filament images are visible. The screws for the adjustments are on the back side of the lamp house and are marked in the instructions. Once you have aligned the mirror you can adjust the Kohler illumination. In my experience, the halo around the image of the iris is due to some issue within the condenser.

If you are having problems adjusting the mirror it may be necessary to check the motion of the mirror as you manipulate the adjusting screws.

These steps work for me, but it is difficult to diagnose without seeing the problem.
thanks, I agree that the two issues could be unrelated. First things first is there some detailed instructions on how to align the lamphouse mirror.
I don't have experience with the Zeiss "Leuchte 100" (I'm looking for one, but they're not cheap, these days...), but I alligned lots of Reichert Illuminators (Lux US, Lux FNI) for all kinds of Reichert scopes (Zetopan, Diapan, MeF, ...).
Alligning the concave or parabolic mirror behind the bulb was never a problem. It's rather straight forward, but it takes some patience. Well, a lot of patience, actually.
In most Reichert illuminators, the mirror is factory aligned and mount with only one (FNI) or two (Lux US) screws. I suppose Zeiss is something similar.
Try again, but put the illuminator some 50 cm from a wall...
Is the picture from the bulb filament taken trough the collector system of the illuminator?
Some Zeiss illuminators have a non removable frosted glass somewhere in the system, or even worse: a frosted collector.
Picture was taken without the frosted glass diffuser, but through the collector system.

Re: Fixing Zeiss 100 Illuminator Concave mirror focus

Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2016 3:33 pm
by pdxhiker
I tried fixing the lamphouse and this is what It looks like right now.

Re: Fixing Zeiss 100 Illuminator Concave mirror focus

Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2016 3:48 pm
by lorez
Whatever you did, you were successful. Onward and upward.

Re: Fixing Zeiss 100 Illuminator Concave mirror focus

Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2016 3:55 pm
by 75RR
Looking much better. Can you get them any closer?

Re: Fixing Zeiss 100 Illuminator Concave mirror focus

Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2016 4:01 pm
by pdxhiker
I fully dismantled the lamphouse and noticed the concave mirror was not fully seated in the two bronze metal holders gripping it, now the question I'll get to them closer and post another picture.