Leitz Diaplan condenser problem

[Brad_]

I just received the Diaplan listed on eBay as Not working Parts
Only. All I really want from this 35 pound beast is it's rotating
stage. To get at the stage I have to remove the condenser and I
haven't been able to.

Can the universal condenser be removed from its mount without
major surgery or is it permanently mounted?

Is there a special trick involved, perhaps with stage and top
lens position?

Yes, I am familiar with the little latch that Leitz calls the
"condenser clamp."

Maybe I just need an IQ pill or two.

Thanks for your attention.

Brad

[Wes]

Pics would be helpful

[MichaelG.]

If it's the one I think it is ... see p10
https://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/im ... manual.pdf

MichaelG.

[PrecisionInstruments]

No tricks. And by condenser clamp, I trust you speak of the little knurled knob on the left.
Does the clamp/knob twist? No = problem, Yes = next
Does the condenser shift forward at all when clamp is released? No = problem with condenser dovetail mount, most likely old lubricant. Yes = No Problemo!!

[Brad_]

Thank you folks for your quick and encouraging response. After
taking one of those pills I understood MichaelGs reminder to read
the manual (RTFM). One figure clearly showed the condenser was
removable. I had actually begun to doubt that.

The problem was simply the condenser not being lowered enough.
The grease had hardened and what I thought was its bottom
position was actually 3 or 4 mm too high. However, at the bottom
stop the bottom lens mount pressed firmly against the plastic
ring surrounding the window. It took a great deal of tugging and
jiggling to clear the dovetail and even then the bezel on the
volt meter gave a bit of interference.

With the condenser removed, I found out the plastic ring was
mostly cosmetic and easily popped out of its mount, giving at
least another 5 mm of clearance. If only I had known.

Now I have my precious stage.

Thanks again folks. Have fun.

Brad

[Brad_]

I'm hopeless. Now I've double posted. Sorry.