Product advise

[Tronn]

Good luck with your choice!

Thanx mrsonchus

So there is a new competition on the forum now

Find Tronn a microscope from Zeiss or Leica/Leitz that is very good, preferably with the option to take pictures and that can ship to Norway with max. price of 1000 USD or 940 euro

It is very kind of you all to do this for me

[PeteM]

. . . It is very kind of you all to do this for me

$600 US and a bit of patience should get you a good condition trinocular microscope with plan objectives in something like a Leica Laborlux (S,D,11,12); Nikon Labophot, Olympus BH2, or Zeiss Standard. Maybe even phase contrast and/or simple polarization.

Would tracked shipping for 15 kilos or so from the US to Norway be less than $400?

[Tronn]

Would tracked shipping for 15 kilos or so from the US to Norway be less than $400?

I'm not sure. That is quite easy to check. And Norwegian vat.

[Glycolyse]

All I can say is, with patience, you can get a good used microscope. I got a Zeiss Standard binocular with Phase contrast and Neofluar objectives, for around 575e (around 650$). I waited more or less a month, actively searching everyday for the best deal.

Good luck

[Tronn]

Thanx

[Hobbyst46]

Here is a trinocular Zeiss Jena microscope which perhaps might be interesting (MicroBob should know more about it)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Aus-Jena-Micro ... SwTM5Y3T4K
Might inquire the seller about more details, how clean are the lenses etc. Although features are described on the listing page.
Perhaps the seller will ship to your country. he accepts returns.

Here is a trinocular Zeiss Standard microscope that apparently lacks the light source, hence could not be tested as a whole, so a good reason to make a much reduced offer (much much less than the asked BP850) and ask for a reduced shipping fare as well. Again, he accepts returns.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Carl-Zeiss-Tri ... Sw0YlcTOR2
I would inquire the seller if the objectives and eyepieces are free of delamination and fungus.

Here is another one, lower asking price, again I would inquire the seller if he agrees to ship to Norway:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/ZEISS-Microsco ... SwsRVb7bno
I would inquire the seller if the objectives and eyepieces are free of delamination and fungus.

Here is a Nikon Labophot, must inquire about the smoothness of focusing, and whether the illumination works OK.
Also, the seller postpones the delivery by about 6 weeks and does not accept return - so might offer a reduced price.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/on-Vacation-Ni ... ctupt=true

Another Nikon labophot but phase contrast, but there are no details, so one must inquire about everything: mechanical status (focusing, see above), which objectives, which light source, any faults etc. Nikon experts may help here.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Nikon-Labophot ... SwbTJcguvf

Nikon Optiphot, but here must inquire really about everything, there is not detailed description of the optical parts, mechanical and optical status, light source, whether the seller accepts returns - etc etc.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Nikon-Labophot ... SwOM5cisCF

Sorry, looked for Olympus BH-2 but found none within your budget.
Hope it helps, at least to give you an idea of what is available overseas.

Good luck.

[75RR]

I would not purchase from the USA unless you found a particularly good deal that was in some way vouched for.

Look in Europe where returns and postage costs keep things simpler.

Have a look at this one: https://www.ebay.de/itm/Mikroskop-Carl- ... SwmT1bL8yW

Not complete but it has most of what you need to get started. You just need to get 3 objectives and a power supply.

One of the nice things about Zeiss is that it has a whole range of objectives at different price points - you can upgrade to better ones as your interest and budget allows.


+ a nice looking Wild M20. You will have to contact the seller about shipping to Norway. Also ask him how much he will accept. Just missing two objectives but can be used as is with the 10x and 40x.

Nothing wrong with the Fluotar 50x/1.0 and 100x/1.3 oil objectives, it is just that you don't want to jump in and play with oil until you have a little experience.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wild-M20-bio ... ctupt=true

[Radazz]

Hi, Tronn,
You can explore many facets of microscopy with a filter tray.
It gives you access to lots of interesting experiments.
A darkfield stop or various oblique stops give you some wonderful different views of the micro world.
Adapting any microscope for polarized illumination is simple and very rewarding.
Reinberg illumination is fun to play with.
Shine a desk lamp on the stage with a low power objective for reflecting microscopy.
There’s about a year of experimentation with a simple beginner microscope.
Discover what you like best about the hobby, then, armed with some experiance, look for the best microscope you can afford that will take you in that direction.
At that point you might consider phase contrast, an older and more available system when you are confident swimming in the used market, which makes the invisible visible.
I got bit by collecting and restoring older scopes. Also photo micrography.
Welcome to a wonderful, many faceted hobby.
Radazz

[Tronn]

Thank you everyone

[Tronn]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Leitz-Metallux ... ctupt=true

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Carl-Zeiss-Jen ... 1#viTabs_0

What do you think of these?

[Tronn]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Nikon-Labophot ... F&LH_RPA=1

[PeteM]

The older Leitz is set up (and has objectives for, excepting the 4x) for reflected light only. Looks decent for that, but you'd want a whole 'nuther set of objectives for normal transmitted light work at higher powers.

The Zeiss Jena is a mediocre microscope (not bad) at an inflated price and with few options. It would be an OK starter microscope maybe around $250 -- and even then not especially expandable and not a trinocular.

The Labophot has no objectives and is priced too high. It is a good model to look for. At that price you should be able to find one complete with plan objectives and an assurance that the fine focus gear is OK (many are broken and need a $45 or so gear replacement).

[Tronn]

[quote="PeteM"][/quote]

Thanx Pete

[Tronn]

I have decided to do it easy for myself and have bought a new microscope to start with.
I was easier for me to buy something that i could find all information about and that was quite cheap.
So can i use this while i learn more about microscopy.

I bought this microscope: https://www.ebay.com/itm/OMAX-40X-2500X ... 2749.l2649

I aslo bought this on for my 5 year old son: https://www.ebay.com/itm/OMAX-40X-1000X ... 1431.l2649

Thanx alot for the help i received in this post.
Very much appreciated!

[Scarodactyl]

I hope you enjoy them! Please post your impressions when you get them in.

[Hobbyst46]

Buying a trinocular microscope with a computer-controlled camera is a sensible introduction to microscopy and a very good decision. I am using a 5MP USB eyepiece camera myself, and, despite the lack of aberration corrections, the results are amazing. Yours will probably be even better.
Enjoy, and please, do post results.

[billbillt]

I have decided to do it easy for myself and have bought a new microscope to start with.
I was easier for me to buy something that i could find all information about and that was quite cheap.
So can i use this while i learn more about microscopy.

I bought this microscope: https://www.ebay.com/itm/OMAX-40X-2500X ... 2749.l2649

I aslo bought this on for my 5 year old son: https://www.ebay.com/itm/OMAX-40X-1000X ... 1431.l2649

Thanx alot for the help i received in this post.
Very much appreciated!

Wise choices...

BillT

[mrsonchus]

Excellent choices. Both very appropriate and above-all immediately usable & enjoyable! Moving on to a used old-master is always an option in the future. You'll learn a huge amount heuristically with those two fine 'scopes - congratulations!
This forum, stuffed to the rafters with kind, helpful and very, very knowledgeable folk will be a superb companion for you also!

Again, congratulations.

[Tronn]

Thanx alot everyone
Have been reading alot the last days and can't wait to get started.