Looking for technical info early microscopes
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Looking for technical info early microscopes
Several years ago I made some Leeuwenhoek style glass sphere microscopes. Mine had cardboard bodies. I had a lot of fun with these and still intend on making more accurate replicas in metal.
I would also like to make some examples of early compound microscope like those of Robert Hooke for example. The trouble is that I am finding it very difficult to find any technical information on these early microscopes. Things I need to know are what type of lenses (BCX, PCX ?) focal lengths, spacing, etc. I hope it may be possible to construct similar microscopes using off the shelf optics. I've also seen a few articles on grinding small lenses and could even give that a try.
If any one can point me to some references it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
I would also like to make some examples of early compound microscope like those of Robert Hooke for example. The trouble is that I am finding it very difficult to find any technical information on these early microscopes. Things I need to know are what type of lenses (BCX, PCX ?) focal lengths, spacing, etc. I hope it may be possible to construct similar microscopes using off the shelf optics. I've also seen a few articles on grinding small lenses and could even give that a try.
If any one can point me to some references it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Re: Looking for technical info early microscopes
Two links, maybe you know them already
http://www.microscope-antiques.com/index.html
https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/ ... ex.html
Many images of the bodies but no details on the lenses I fear
Hooke microscope... ask him directly?
https://archive.org/details/microgra ... mode/2up
http://www.microscope-antiques.com/index.html
https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/ ... ex.html
Many images of the bodies but no details on the lenses I fear
Hooke microscope... ask him directly?
https://archive.org/details/microgra ... mode/2up
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Re: Looking for technical info early microscopes
Thanks for the links!
The FSU website has a very interesting section on seventeenth century microscopes, the period I'm most interested in.
From a description of an Italian wooden compound microscope:
"The eye lens is bi-convex and the microscope is equipped with an internal tube lens and objective that are both plano-convex with the planar portions of the lenses facing each other."
I suppose if I knew enough optics I might be able to work out a functioning microscope using the types of lenses described.
The FSU website has a very interesting section on seventeenth century microscopes, the period I'm most interested in.
From a description of an Italian wooden compound microscope:
"The eye lens is bi-convex and the microscope is equipped with an internal tube lens and objective that are both plano-convex with the planar portions of the lenses facing each other."
I suppose if I knew enough optics I might be able to work out a functioning microscope using the types of lenses described.
Re: Looking for technical info early microscopes
What glass spheres did you find best for the Leeuwenhoek microscope?Mr Galasphere wrote: ↑Sat Nov 06, 2021 7:59 pmSeveral years ago I made some Leeuwenhoek style glass sphere microscopes. Mine had cardboard bodies. I had a lot of fun with these and still intend on making more accurate replicas in metal.
. . .
Another site to check out, if you haven't already, is Allan Wissner's extensive collection of early compound microscopes at http://www.antique-microscopes.com/. Clicking on the photo of a microscope in his collection often brings up a detailed description and he cites his sources. His site lists articles and some patent applications, and he may be able to direct you to additional documentation.
Re: Looking for technical info early microscopes
For rough design use Winlens, pretty ok demo version; should be doable to find out the specs and distances of a of two-three lenses system
https://www.qioptiq-shop.com/en/Optics ... Basic/
I buy ball and half-ball lenses from Bohr optics China, on aliexpress, ~1$ apiece
but if you wish to make them yourself...
https://www.qioptiq-shop.com/en/Optics ... Basic/
I buy ball and half-ball lenses from Bohr optics China, on aliexpress, ~1$ apiece
but if you wish to make them yourself...
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Re: Looking for technical info early microscopes
I made mine.Dubious wrote: ↑Sun Nov 07, 2021 6:14 pmWhat glass spheres did you find best for the Leeuwenhoek microscope?Mr Galasphere wrote: ↑Sat Nov 06, 2021 7:59 pmSeveral years ago I made some Leeuwenhoek style glass sphere microscopes. Mine had cardboard bodies. I had a lot of fun with these and still intend on making more accurate replicas in metal.
. . .
Here is a nice tutorial: http://www3.botany.ubc.ca/keeling/microscope.html
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Re: Looking for technical info early microscopes
Thanks, I'll check that out, although it will probably be over my head.patta wrote: ↑Sun Nov 07, 2021 6:53 pmFor rough design use Winlens, pretty ok demo version; should be doable to find out the specs and distances of a of two-three lenses system
https://www.qioptiq-shop.com/en/Optics ... Basic/
I buy ball and half-ball lenses from Bohr optics China, on aliexpress, ~1$ apiece
but if you wish to make them yourself...
Have you mad any microscopes using ball and half-ball lenses?
Re: Looking for technical info early microscopes
No, never made a microscope... it may happen in the future?
For what I've understood, microscopes optics until about 1800 were made more or less by trial-and-error
For the Hook, as from his illustration, I'd guess that may be built with:
- objective, one half-ball lens 4mm diameter
- eyepiece, one lens flat-convex, 20mm diameter, 40mm focal length
- 150mm distance between the two
and then, more fun with the water-jug-condenser!
For what I've understood, microscopes optics until about 1800 were made more or less by trial-and-error
For the Hook, as from his illustration, I'd guess that may be built with:
- objective, one half-ball lens 4mm diameter
- eyepiece, one lens flat-convex, 20mm diameter, 40mm focal length
- 150mm distance between the two
and then, more fun with the water-jug-condenser!
Re: Looking for technical info early microscopes
Some of these are outside your time period of interest, but may be insightful, and most have fairly extensive references for potential follow-up.
Optical Properties of the Lenses of an Early 19th Century Cuff-Type Microscope
https://www.rms.org.uk/study-read/infoc ... scope.html
THE PERFORMANCE OF SEVENTEENTH- AND EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY MICROSCOPES by BRIAN BRACEGIRDLE
Medical History 1978, Vol 22, pp187-195
If you can't find this I can supply a pdf.
Charles Darwin and Robert Brown – their microscopes and the microscopic image - Brian J Ford
https://www.rms.org.uk/study-read/infoc ... brown.html
Did Physics Matter to the Pioneers of Microscopy? - Brian J. Ford
Advances in Imaging and Electron Physics, Volume 158, ISSN 1076-5670, DOI: 10.1016/S1076-5670(09)00006-8.
If you can't find this I can supply a copy.
What Brown saw and you can too - Philip Pearle and Brian Collett
Rather technical but some good insights between the lines and a comprehensive list of references.
If you can't find I can supply.
The Culpeper Microscope - Janet Fricker
Journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners December 1986
Once again I can supply if you can't find this.
Tom W.
Optical Properties of the Lenses of an Early 19th Century Cuff-Type Microscope
https://www.rms.org.uk/study-read/infoc ... scope.html
THE PERFORMANCE OF SEVENTEENTH- AND EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY MICROSCOPES by BRIAN BRACEGIRDLE
Medical History 1978, Vol 22, pp187-195
If you can't find this I can supply a pdf.
Charles Darwin and Robert Brown – their microscopes and the microscopic image - Brian J Ford
https://www.rms.org.uk/study-read/infoc ... brown.html
Did Physics Matter to the Pioneers of Microscopy? - Brian J. Ford
Advances in Imaging and Electron Physics, Volume 158, ISSN 1076-5670, DOI: 10.1016/S1076-5670(09)00006-8.
If you can't find this I can supply a copy.
What Brown saw and you can too - Philip Pearle and Brian Collett
Rather technical but some good insights between the lines and a comprehensive list of references.
If you can't find I can supply.
The Culpeper Microscope - Janet Fricker
Journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners December 1986
Once again I can supply if you can't find this.
Tom W.
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Re: Looking for technical info early microscopes
Thankstgss wrote: ↑Sun Nov 07, 2021 11:45 pmSome of these are outside your time period of interest, but may be insightful, and most have fairly extensive references for potential follow-up.
Optical Properties of the Lenses of an Early 19th Century Cuff-Type Microscope
https://www.rms.org.uk/study-read/infoc ... scope.html
THE PERFORMANCE OF SEVENTEENTH- AND EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY MICROSCOPES by BRIAN BRACEGIRDLE
Medical History 1978, Vol 22, pp187-195
If you can't find this I can supply a pdf.
Charles Darwin and Robert Brown – their microscopes and the microscopic image - Brian J Ford
https://www.rms.org.uk/study-read/infoc ... brown.html
Did Physics Matter to the Pioneers of Microscopy? - Brian J. Ford
Advances in Imaging and Electron Physics, Volume 158, ISSN 1076-5670, DOI: 10.1016/S1076-5670(09)00006-8.
If you can't find this I can supply a copy.
What Brown saw and you can too - Philip Pearle and Brian Collett
Rather technical but some good insights between the lines and a comprehensive list of references.
If you can't find I can supply.
The Culpeper Microscope - Janet Fricker
Journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners December 1986
Once again I can supply if you can't find this.
Tom W.
I was able to track down all of these
Very interesting articles.