Help with iPhone setup on ‘70s Leitz Dialux?

[ProtistAdmirer]

Hi all,

I have an early ‘70s grey Dialux with a trinocular head and am trying to find a good setup to take pics with my iPhone. I have a LabCam Pro that gave great results with a modern scope, but the problem is that it is designed to either replace an eyepiece or else drop straight into a trinocular head, so it has its own built-in 15x magnifying lens. That means I can’t use it with good results on my Dialux, because i know from you guys that the Dialux requires the Periplan chromatic corrections of a Leitz eyepiece or phototube.

So I’m looking for a solution that somehow incorporates a Periplan eyepiece, the trinocular tube, and the iPhone held in proper alignment. Has anyone found a good way to do this? Or have an idea? I’ve tried just holding up the phone to an eyepiece and it’s too hard to get good results that way. I’d prefer to use the trinocular head for its intended purpose but I can’t visualize how to get the Periplan involved and what type of adapter to use. Thanks in advance for any help!

[ProtistAdmirer]

Here's a pic of my existing setup for reference.

[Scarodactyl]

There are a number of clamps set up to grab and eyepiece and hold a phone which allow fine adjustments to get it centered. Just put a periplan eyepiece into the trinocular port and clamp your phone on with one of these. I haven't used one in a while so I'm afraid I'm not certain what the state of the art is, but this should be pretty straightforward.

[ProtistAdmirer]

Uh, why did I think it would be more complicated than that?

[david_b]

I struggled with the Gosky type of adapter, though I'm aware that many have had more luck.
The main problem I found was the difficulty of adjusting along the third axis (Z-axis)
I recently discovered the Celestron NEXYZ adapter, and I am very happy with it. I have never tried using it on the trinocular port.
It does come at a much higher price though...

https://www.celestron.com/products/nexy ... ne-adapter

[MichaelG.]

Thinks

With a vertical photo-port, it should be relatively simple to make a tray-like holder for the ‘phone.
... Gravity is your friend !!

MichaelG.

[ProtistAdmirer]

The main problem I found was the difficulty of adjusting along the third axis (Z-axis). I recently discovered the Celestron NEXYZ adapter...

Yes! The Z-axis adjustment is one reason I was questioning whether a simple iPhone adapter would work. I have the Gosky adapter coming, and if that doesn’t work well I will try the Celestron. Thanks for the tip.

[ProtistAdmirer]

With a vertical photo-port, it should be relatively simple to make a tray-like holder for the ‘phone.
... Gravity is your friend !!

True. Or I wish someone would just sell a simple plastic snap-in tray custom-sized for each type of phone. Like the LabCam but without the lens. Easy.

[75RR]

... I wish someone would just sell a simple plastic snap-in tray custom-sized for each type of phone. Like the LabCam but without the lens. Easy.

I believe you have just identified a business opportunity that someone with a 3D Printer and some knowledge of microscopy might want to fill.

At least during the testing phase anyway.

What I like about the LabCam is how they have used the second eyepiece from the binocular for stability. Good thinking.

Now if they could only find a way to use the first eyepiece rather than their own with the camera lens, they would be on to something.

[david_b]

Something like...
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:231265

[75RR]

Something like...
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:231265

Something like that but held on by both eyepieces or their holders and height adjustable.

[MichaelG.]

With a vertical photo-port, it should be relatively simple to make a tray-like holder for the ‘phone.
... Gravity is your friend !!

True. Or I wish someone would just sell a simple plastic snap-in tray custom-sized for each type of phone. Like the LabCam but without the lens. Easy.

.
Now I’m confused ... From your opening post, I thought you specifically wanted to use the photo-tube ... leaving the binocular free for visual use.

MichaelG.

[ProtistAdmirer]

Something like...
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:231265

That’s the right idea! Now if I just download AutoCAD and buy a 3D printer, I’m set, ha ha.

[ProtistAdmirer]

Now I’m confused ... From your opening post, I thought you specifically wanted to use the photo-tube ... leaving the binocular free for visual use.

Yes, you’re correct! Much better to be able to just leave it on the phototube. The LabCam can be used either way, so it would be perfect... except I don’t want its incorporated lens. And its mount slides into the trinocular tube, blocking me from putting the necessary Periplan eyepiece there. So really I just need a plain 8-dollar plastic box.

[75RR]

.
Found this adapter that looks like it might fit the bill

https://www.arcturuslabs.com/

[perrywespa]

I've been using the Arcturus adapter for a while with an old iPhone 4 attached to one of the eyepieces of my binocular 'scope. The problem I've had is the clamp, while secure, doesn't hold the phone properly aligned against gravity and some support is needed to keep the FOV centered. Focucing can sometimes be difficullt and takes practice. When thing go right, it does produce decent. See my "Test Image" post in the Sandbox and below:

[Hobbyst46]

Here is a trick based on strong magnets. A magnetic plate is glued to the phone - or better yet, the phone case - and usually serves for car phone-holders. Here it functions to stabilize the phone on the microscope adapter.
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=5518&p=49821&hilit=neodymium#p49821

[75RR]

Here is a trick based on strong magnets. A magnetic plate is glued to the phone - or better yet, the phone case - and usually serves for car phone-holders. Here it functions to stabilize the phone on the microscope adapter.
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=5518&p=49821&hilit=neodymium#p49821

From my reading of perrywespa 's description I don't think the problem is the phone moving inside the case, nor that the case is flexing,

but rather the fact that the attachment point to the microscope is at the top corner (inevitable with camera phones) which unbalances things.

I have seen spirit level apps for phones, wonder if that would help?

[perrywespa]

From my reading of perrywespa 's description I don't think the problem is the phone moving inside the case,

but rather the fact that the attachment point to the microscope is at the top corner (inevitable with camera phones) which unbalances things.

That's exactly right. I usually have to use one hand to help hold the phone centered and take the picture with the other hand. It still gives better images than my Omax eyepiece camera as the resolution is higher.
Perry