Haematococcus (using different lighting methods) [added short video]

[gekko]

Haematococcus taken with a 40x objective using different illumination techniques: brightfield, oblique illumination, DIC, and cross-polarized light.

1. BF    2. Oblique
3. DIC   4. Pol

1, 2, and 4 are of the same cell.



Thanks to Crater Eddie for the water sample.

[IanW]

Superb photographs gekko. 2 and 3 show up the cytoplasmic strands wonderfully. Thanks for these.

[JimT]

All are good but number three is my favorite.

[billbillt]

WOW!... Look too good to be real!... I also find number three to be my overall favorite...

[charlie g]

#3 is my favorite too! Thank you, gekko! charlie guevara

[75RR]

Excellent idea to run a comparison test.

Gallant attempt from Brightfield (Aging character actor)
Very effective Oblique (Up and coming star)
Superior DIC (A list).
Pol is the dark horse here. (Hidden talent)

[gekko]

Many thanks to all!
IanW, I think phase-contrast is also excellent for Haematococcus (you may want to have a quick look at viewtopic.php?f=6&t=785 as an example of that). Unfortunately, those algae appear to prefer to have their flagella out of the plane of focus most of the time .
75RR, . I'm glad that you thought my oblique lighting was acceptable (I thought it didn't look too bad, but I wasn't sure).

[gekko]

I discovered that I had taken a very short video of the Haematococcus under cross-polarized illumination, so I thought I'd added it in case anyone might be interested. Thanks for looking.

[JimT]

That was short alright. Like the photos better but didn't expect movement from an algae.

I will have to look for bird baths in my neighborhood.

JimT

[gekko]

That was short alright. Like the photos better but didn't expect movement from an algae.
I will have to look for bird baths in my neighborhood.
JimT

Thank you. I think that was an accidental video. Didn't expect movement from algae? Sure you have: you even liked this one viewtopic.php?f=6&t=785
And you've post very beautiful images of Euglena and Phacus, if I remember right and I bet those were moving too Yes, birdbaths are a great source of algae, especially the beautiful Haematococcus and rotifers, at least in my experience.