Are Zeiss Fluorescence filters interchangeable?

[stitchy.mitch]

Hello,

I recently came into owning a Zeiss Universal from Bill on the board here.

With the scope came several attachments. One being a Zeiss III RS epi-fluorescence head pictured in this link: https://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/ar ... II-RS.html
I'm curious if excitation filters can be cannibalized from other makes of filter head sliders. I found what looks to be a complete set, in good shape of these filters, and I thought I might try fitting them:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/124366965560?_ ... ON.R1.TR10

Does anyone have experience in such matters?

Thank you for your time,

Mitchell

[Hobbyst46]

In general, fluorescence filters - excitation, dichroic mirror and emission filter - will function successfully on any microscope, if mechanically compatible. That is, if the diameter and thickness of the filter permit its installation in the slide. Or in the cube. Filter slides are typical for older generations (say, the 1960-1970's) and cubes come in modern microscopes. The important feature of a filter, besides the obvious dimensions, is the transmission spectrum. The slide shown in the eBay link if fitted with filter sets for Fluorescein (exc ~490nm) and Rhodamine (exc ~ 546nm), very popular fluorophore stains. Of course they fit other stains that feature the same spectra.

Some of the filters mentioned by David Walker, e.g. the BG38, are dyed glass filters and are hence inferior to interference filters. The filters in the eBay link appear to be interference filters.

BTW, if the excitation source on your Zeiss microscope happens to LED, the excitation filter can often be omitted.

[MicroBob]

Hi Mitchell,
this company used to sell interference filter sets: https://www.ebay.de/sch/jenmedgmbh/m.ht ... pg=&_from=
I bought 8 for 45€ incl. shipping. They are a bit smaller in diameter than those fpr the III RS but can be fitted and work well for me. Perhaps they have more in stock?

Bob