Phase Contrast and Orthoplan

[Rainowman]

I have recently acquired a phase contrast condenser (402a) for my Orthoplan. I am unsure as to which are the best objectives to use with this, 170 or 160's, Pl or NPL, fluotar, infinity corrected or not. I aim to do photomicrography once the system is set up. Has anyone any experience or advice in this field. As you may gather I am new to the field.

[mrsonchus]

Hi, you need to use the objectives (Leitz) marked as "Phaco", and they need to be for 170mm TL.

For example, here's a link to a x10 phase-contrast objective that is for your 402a condenser and Orthoplan system.

The "-" after the 170 in the "170/-" marking simply means that this objective may be used with or without a coverslip.

[Glycolyse]

Talking about objectives, does someone as images comparisons between Plan, Phaco, Neofluar, Apo, etc... ? That would be cool to see.

[Rainowman]

Thank you John for your insight.

I have a further question on this matter. I have read a memorandum from Leitz (9/30/76) which states that 160mm objectives can be used on microscopes of 170mm tube length where the magnification is x16 or above without any noticeable affect on image quality.
Do you know if this is the case for Phaco objectives? The reason I ask is that I have the opportunity to obtain the following (originally mounted on a diaplan):-
160/ PL 1.6/0.05
160/0.17 NPL FLUOTAR 100/1.32 OEL
160 NPL FLUOTAR 100/1.32 OEL PHACO 3
160/0.17 NPL FLUOTAR 40/0.70 PHACO 2
106/0.17 NPL FLUOTAR 16/0.454 PHACO 1