Search found 31 matches

by toomanyhandles
Thu Apr 25, 2024 1:35 am
Forum: Specimens, samples and slides
Topic: Giemsa stain of thin blood smears - pale / faint
Replies: 2
Views: 120

Re: Giemsa stain of thin blood smears - pale / faint

Aside from the color which you mention is probably a white balance thing for the photo. Here's what Merck manual shows for a RBC prep with Wright-Giemsa stain: https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/multimedia/image/wright-giemsa-stain-of-peripheral-blood-smear I am not sure your photo looks that...
by toomanyhandles
Sun Apr 21, 2024 11:42 am
Forum: Specimens, samples and slides
Topic: pollen mites- pickling solution?
Replies: 3
Views: 120

Re: pollen mites- pickling solution?

That's a great link, thank you. I hadn't found that site yet, it has nice summaries. Here are the mites in question, from that same site: https://idtools.org/bee_mite/index.cfm?packageID=1&entityID=88 You can see they probably need cleared for the most interesting microscope views, even though these...
by toomanyhandles
Sun Apr 21, 2024 12:41 am
Forum: Specimens, samples and slides
Topic: pollen mites- pickling solution?
Replies: 3
Views: 120

Re: pollen mites- pickling solution?

I am thinking this one seems about right. The pollen mites are mainly mites but they will have pollen and small bits of clay/dirt from the maon bee chamber walls, I'm not set up at home to do various floats or washes to try to separate things out further. --- Formula for Koenike's fluid: Glacial ace...
by toomanyhandles
Sat Apr 20, 2024 9:54 pm
Forum: Specimens, samples and slides
Topic: pollen mites- pickling solution?
Replies: 3
Views: 120

pollen mites- pickling solution?

Hello- I have cleaned up my mason bee cocoons and I have a volume of pollen mites isolated- probably about 35cc worth if you were to put them in a 50ml tube. I have looked around a little but I'm not sure what I should pickle them in (ratios) to keep them from shrinking or popping. I have 95% ethano...
by toomanyhandles
Sat Nov 12, 2022 10:23 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Any Bresser XPD-101 field microscope users?
Replies: 10
Views: 3128

Re: Any Bresser XPD-101 field microscope users?

Well, it's been a little while. Seems that getting into the cabinets I keep my microscopes in is a fall/ winter thing for me. I did travel with this to salt and fresh water locations and used it a bit in 2021, I would call it "played with it". Optically I found my Bresser XPD-101 decent, leaning to ...
by toomanyhandles
Fri Jun 03, 2022 6:38 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Zeiss water immersion objective front lens damage
Replies: 28
Views: 4313

Re: Zeiss water immersion objective front lens damage

Tissue culture growth media have salts of course but especially, proteins (think dilute blood plasma or fetal bovine serum). If dilute enough you may not get the opaque results as it dried/ aged as one may expect.

You may want to look at solvents useful for proteinaceous materials.
by toomanyhandles
Fri May 07, 2021 11:46 am
Forum: Camera systems and imaging
Topic: phototube/ Nikon DSLR adapter for AO Series 10
Replies: 5
Views: 2095

Re: phototube/ Nikon DSLR adapter for AO Series 10

That Ashai adapter looks great, I have a few uses for it. The helical focus- is a goal to keep this stack as short as possible, it that a downside for the one on Amazon? I was looking for items at Amazon and similar online shops to help provide predictable delivery window- but for cost and smaller h...
by toomanyhandles
Wed May 05, 2021 11:15 am
Forum: Camera systems and imaging
Topic: phototube/ Nikon DSLR adapter for AO Series 10
Replies: 5
Views: 2095

Re: phototube/ Nikon DSLR adapter for AO Series 10

That helps a lot, thank you. Great info about the phototube clone and what to look for. The adapters I will try: https://www.adorama.com/cntmnk.html https://www.adorama.com/cnta1q.html I will need to make a reducer as this is 1.25", but clearly that will be able to go around the eyepiece being used ...
by toomanyhandles
Tue May 04, 2021 10:53 am
Forum: Camera systems and imaging
Topic: phototube/ Nikon DSLR adapter for AO Series 10
Replies: 5
Views: 2095

phototube/ Nikon DSLR adapter for AO Series 10

Hi all; I have obtained a trinoc head for my AOSeries 10, and am looking for best options to mount my NIkon DSLR. I don't want to use a C-mount camera for multiple reasons. I have both DX and FX Nikon SLRs available, but would prefer to dedicate a DX body. What is the best way to be as parfocal as p...
by toomanyhandles
Mon Apr 26, 2021 7:53 pm
Forum: For forum members who want to buy and sell equipment
Topic: filter holder for Model 735 illuminator
Replies: 0
Views: 833

filter holder for Model 735 illuminator

I don't know if they were an optional accessory or just got lost a lot (I did dig around on xmission but could not decide) but I have two model 735's that I would like to fit with brackets, if someone happens to have extra. I did see a forum post where someone modified a Cokin filter holder for this...
by toomanyhandles
Thu Apr 22, 2021 8:55 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Any Bresser XPD-101 field microscope users?
Replies: 10
Views: 3128

Re: Any Bresser XPD-101 field microscope users?

I really appreciate all the replies on this, there is a fair amount of discussion off and on since 2016 or so and it took me a bit to get the timeline sorted in my head. I think I am right when I realize that the FM-31 'clone' that Bresser still lists today- that should? be the same clone examined i...
by toomanyhandles
Tue Apr 20, 2021 7:59 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Any Bresser XPD-101 field microscope users?
Replies: 10
Views: 3128

Re: Any Bresser XPD-101 field microscope users?

Thank you all for your replies. Sometimes I would be looking at insect parts, sometimes aquatic samples. Portable and sturdy/reliable are drivers for me as I already have too much gear I pack around, if it can't do "everything" good image quality on what it can to is v. important. After all I can ge...
by toomanyhandles
Tue Apr 20, 2021 2:24 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Any Bresser XPD-101 field microscope users?
Replies: 10
Views: 3128

Any Bresser XPD-101 field microscope users?

Hi all; When I travel (we'll get to travel again, right??) I have my macro photography camera kit all sorted out, and recently I started looking at field microscopes. After watching a working McArthur go for $1200 on ebay recently, and many other "classic" ones not available, I started looking at mo...
by toomanyhandles
Fri Jan 29, 2021 10:28 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: which scope for: AO Spencer 1723 phase turret
Replies: 2
Views: 1415

which scope for: AO Spencer 1723 phase turret

I have put several hours trying to figure this out, but so far I am not finding the right reference doc or google search hit. I am sure the information is in one of the .gif manuals/ price lists from PSNeeley's site, but I don't get search engine hits and if it is in an image capture of a document p...
by toomanyhandles
Fri Jan 15, 2021 4:24 pm
Forum: For forum members who want to buy and sell equipment
Topic: AO series 10 objective holder, washers
Replies: 2
Views: 1504

Re: AO series 10 objective holder, washers

Thanks Pete, I was hoping someplace still had the small-sided objective cases. If anyone has a few spare, I could use a few! The spacers, I was wondering if they were for an adjustment but then every objective had them on, which like you say seems unexpected. If I can find my digital caliper (sigh) ...
by toomanyhandles
Fri Jan 15, 2021 3:14 am
Forum: For forum members who want to buy and sell equipment
Topic: AO series 10 objective holder, washers
Replies: 2
Views: 1504

AO series 10 objective holder, washers

Hi, As I build out the capabilities of my series 10, piecemeal. Sometimes objectives come with what I will call the small-format objective holder. It fits the objective closely and the holder fits the old AO accessories boxes. Sometimes in baggie or just naked. I see sources for RMS thread objective...
by toomanyhandles
Tue Jan 12, 2021 1:46 pm
Forum: Resources (online, books etc.)
Topic: printable 'calibration" image for checking stereoscopes?
Replies: 3
Views: 3666

printable 'calibration" image for checking stereoscopes?

I am going to take a look at a few scratch-n-dent stereoscopes and I was thinking about taking some printed calibration / test page with me. I've spent a bit of time searching but don't find anything obviously made for this freely available. I am guessing something like a standard printer test page ...
by toomanyhandles
Fri Jan 08, 2021 11:58 pm
Forum: Beginner's corner
Topic: phase annulus for AO 10 phase objectives
Replies: 4
Views: 1885

Re: phase annulus for AO 10 phase objectives

That's great, I will keep that in mind for the non-dark objectives.

So for something like #1227, dark field oil, 34mm, that would work with the right-sized "regular" phase inserts, 0/1/2/ DF?
No need for a 100x-specific or #1227-specific solution (on the Series 10)
by toomanyhandles
Fri Jan 08, 2021 5:52 pm
Forum: Beginner's corner
Topic: phase annulus for AO 10 phase objectives
Replies: 4
Views: 1885

phase annulus for AO 10 phase objectives

Hi, I've been reading a number of things and want to confirm: I would like to use phase with the AO series 10 I am finding parts and pieces for. Right now there are a number of dark (and some bright) phase objectives for this scope on ebay, but pretty much none come with a phase annulus to match. Th...
by toomanyhandles
Tue Jan 05, 2021 3:18 am
Forum: Beginner's corner
Topic: AO compound: model, year, repair ideas?
Replies: 10
Views: 3872

Re: AO compound: model, year, repair ideas?

Thank you Hans and apochronaut. I really appreciate your looking and the estimate on when this was made. The objective that made me think one might be different total focal length was/is the one with the yellow bands. I can't seem to get a good image from that one, but I think/hope it just needs cle...
by toomanyhandles
Sun Jan 03, 2021 5:07 am
Forum: Beginner's corner
Topic: AO compound: model, year, repair ideas?
Replies: 10
Views: 3872

Re: AO compound: model, year, repair ideas?

It does look like I have a mix of both heights on the scope today. Where might I find the serial # on this? The number 908269 that is stamped into one part of the scope frame doesn't match the serial number range listed here: https://user.xmission.com/~psneeley/Personal/Microscope.htm and the link t...
by toomanyhandles
Sun Jan 03, 2021 3:40 am
Forum: Beginner's corner
Topic: AO compound: model, year, repair ideas?
Replies: 10
Views: 3872

Re: AO compound: model, year, repair ideas?

That's great, thank you both. How backwards compatible are the objectives on these, as long as I avoid anything on ebay that is "infinity", could I be OK? How to tell where the cutoff is (look for catalog numbers near the ones on the objectives I have? : ) I am also looking for a manual / catalog wi...
by toomanyhandles
Sun Jan 03, 2021 12:02 am
Forum: Beginner's corner
Topic: AO compound: model, year, repair ideas?
Replies: 10
Views: 3872

AO compound: model, year, repair ideas?

A little while ago when a colleague learned I liked microscopy, I was given this scope. Looks like university surplus, so probably got bounced around a bit, last serviced in 1993 per stickers. Overall it looks and feels OK, not as dirty internally as externally by far, usable condition oil objective...
by toomanyhandles
Fri Jan 01, 2021 3:58 pm
Forum: Camera systems and imaging
Topic: Nikon DSLR, Labophot-2, DiagInc HRD* adapters as a solution?
Replies: 12
Views: 3996

Re: Nikon DSLR, Labophot-2, DiagInc HRD* adapters as a solution?

About using LEDs, are there kits that are mostly drop-in or is it more a design-your-own? Of course I am digging into this over the holidays, so I am not seeing pricing right away, at least where I am looking for LED kits for Nikon microscopes. I see some review articles back as far as 2008 about us...
by toomanyhandles
Thu Dec 31, 2020 2:45 am
Forum: Camera systems and imaging
Topic: Nikon DSLR, Labophot-2, DiagInc HRD* adapters as a solution?
Replies: 12
Views: 3996

Re: Nikon DSLR, Labophot-2, DiagInc HRD* adapters as a solution?

Thank you all again, it looks like I can only reply to the thread not each post one by one. -bulb vs. LED. One of the scopes I am looking at comes with: Nikon HBO Mercury power supply but no bulb. It looks like a bulb is $150-ish but I am not sure I trust the sources. Back in the day, I think mercur...
by toomanyhandles
Tue Dec 29, 2020 11:10 pm
Forum: Camera systems and imaging
Topic: Nikon DSLR, Labophot-2, DiagInc HRD* adapters as a solution?
Replies: 12
Views: 3996

Re: Nikon DSLR, Labophot-2, DiagInc HRD* adapters as a solution?

Thank you both- -the " naming" vs. the physical imaging chip sizing, of course, I should have looked at specs. Thank you. -I found the adapters on ebay you mention, I sent the seller a note. I am confused about the use of "photo relay lens" in this thread as I don't yet see a 2.5X solution like that...
by toomanyhandles
Mon Dec 28, 2020 10:31 pm
Forum: Camera systems and imaging
Topic: Nikon DSLR, Labophot-2, DiagInc HRD* adapters as a solution?
Replies: 12
Views: 3996

Re: Nikon DSLR, Labophot-2, DiagInc HRD* adapters as a solution?

Do you have an example image still around? I guess there is something basic that I am missing. If the adapter is spreading the image for a 1" sensor. but my camera has a smaller sensor. And the backplane/ imaging area of my camera is where it should be. I would expect serious cropping but not vignet...
by toomanyhandles
Mon Dec 28, 2020 7:50 pm
Forum: Camera systems and imaging
Topic: Nikon DSLR, Labophot-2, DiagInc HRD* adapters as a solution?
Replies: 12
Views: 3996

Re: Nikon DSLR, Labophot-2, DiagInc HRD* adapters as a solution?

Thanks, how lacking is the coverage of the DSLR sensor? The Gimp and Photoshop Elements exist to help with cropping of course. A Plus to using the Diagnostic Instruments adapter is that it is physically solid.... I probably was not searching for the right things to find that the Nikon objective woul...