Search found 92 matches

by Placozoa
Tue Mar 30, 2021 11:33 am
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: Some help with photography
Replies: 10
Views: 3649

Re: Some help with photography

I think you are a way better photographer than me, and I look forward to seeing what you can do. :)
by Placozoa
Tue Mar 30, 2021 11:08 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Swift Achromat vs Nikon Fluor
Replies: 47
Views: 12057

Re: Swift Achromat vs Nikon Fluor

I only think in terms of what I have! Louise If you have infinity lenses I think you could still unscrew the objective a bit, or use parfocal extenders, or move the tube lens if possible, to change your tube length. I think moving your eyepiece would do nothing. Correcting collar is way simpler, bu...
by Placozoa
Tue Mar 30, 2021 10:53 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Swift Achromat vs Nikon Fluor
Replies: 47
Views: 12057

Re: Swift Achromat vs Nikon Fluor

Thanks viktor. Appreciate the confirmation. I have a 0.85 NA dry lens that I thought could be better, now it might be. :D
by Placozoa
Tue Mar 30, 2021 10:40 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Strain free eyepiece
Replies: 15
Views: 5657

Re: Strain free eyepiece

If you stretch a piece of plastic it puts strain in the plastic. This piece of plastic then operates as a (very cheap) polarising lens. Thats how movie 3D glasses work. By the same token, if you are not careful manufacturing your lenses you can introduce strain. This doesnt matter, since you cant se...
by Placozoa
Tue Mar 30, 2021 10:12 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Swift Achromat vs Nikon Fluor
Replies: 47
Views: 12057

Re: Swift Achromat vs Nikon Fluor

Taught me something too. I didnt know parfocal extenders could compensate for spherical aberration. Or, put another way, that changing the tube length could act in a similar way as a correction collar.
by Placozoa
Tue Mar 30, 2021 9:48 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Can a light source damage lens?
Replies: 21
Views: 5736

Re: Can a light source damage lens?

. . . If you wet both surfaces of the glass does the haze go away? Yes for a second but as soon as it dries becomes visible. . . . To me, this suggests the haziness is on the surface, not something appearing inside the glass. Could be it was there from the start, but was only noticed when you chang...
by Placozoa
Tue Mar 30, 2021 9:22 am
Forum: Illumination Techniques
Topic: Transmission through mismatched layer in glass of marginal ray vs. numerical aperture
Replies: 8
Views: 2761

Re: Transmission through mismatched layer in glass of marginal ray vs. numerical aperture

This is confusing, and that wikipedia page goes on forever, I did skim through though. Are all N.A. 0.90 objective lenses ground the same? I somehow doubt it, and if not then these graphs cannot be right. I think, and I could certainly be wrong, that objectives vary widely in how many lenses they ha...
by Placozoa
Sun Mar 28, 2021 6:54 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Add fluorescence to your stereo microscope for $1200?
Replies: 3
Views: 1580

Re: Add fluorescence to your stereo microscope for $1200?

$1200! That guy should have a mask and a gun!
by Placozoa
Sun Mar 28, 2021 6:10 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Optical Quality of inexpensive objectives
Replies: 21
Views: 7216

Re: Optical Quality of inexpensive objectives

I have some cheap objectives and the quality of the images are perfectly fine. I want a 20x objective with large working distance but a $24 lens just wont do it, I am going to have to look for a used big brand lens for that I think. It's tough to compare lenses fairly, but when someone that knows wh...
by Placozoa
Thu Mar 25, 2021 1:06 am
Forum: Illumination Techniques
Topic: Brand New Amscope Phase Contrast Kit
Replies: 38
Views: 22351

Re: Brand New Amscope Phase Contrast Kit

having said that I often love to play with a really filthy thick mount with lots of humus/algae/decaying chunks galore and just embrace the chaos! Finally! Someone talking sense! Love it! :D Those amoeabae really do look good in phase. I was never tempted by phase until now.. Thanks, I guess. :-/
by Placozoa
Tue Mar 23, 2021 2:43 am
Forum: Illumination Techniques
Topic: Colored lighting.
Replies: 2
Views: 1395

Re: Colored lighting.

Some microscopes have a phosphorescent coating on a curved piece of glass between the light source and the substage optics. Could maybe try a different coating if you have a microscope like this. Has anyone done that?
by Placozoa
Mon Mar 22, 2021 8:49 pm
Forum: Illumination Techniques
Topic: Using a laser to illuminate.
Replies: 16
Views: 5342

Re: Using a laser to illuminate.

In my naivete I was influenced by an ad for an advanced microscope system that apparently uses laser light to get dramatically better resolution. That's why I tried it. As others I also second the warning regarding lasers. Even if they do not emit UV light they can still be harmful for your eyes. J...
by Placozoa
Mon Mar 22, 2021 8:22 pm
Forum: Illumination Techniques
Topic: Using a laser to illuminate.
Replies: 16
Views: 5342

Re: Using a laser to illuminate.

I agree completely, and simple quantum mechanics makes it clear why. When most people say "quantum mechanics" the next few lines should be viewed with skepticism. A lot of skepticism. Hopefully I didnt say anything too ridiculous, and if I did I genuinely want to know. :) QM maies clear a few things...
by Placozoa
Mon Mar 22, 2021 7:54 pm
Forum: Illumination Techniques
Topic: Using a laser to illuminate.
Replies: 16
Views: 5342

Re: Using a laser to illuminate.

For microscopy, the chief advantage of the monochromaticity is for fluorescence. If it excites fluorescence. A ruby laser does not excite much VISIBLE fluorescence since its wavelength is 694nm, at the end of the visible spectrum. This makes a lot of sense to me. If you stain a live sample the stai...
by Placozoa
Mon Mar 22, 2021 7:20 pm
Forum: Illumination Techniques
Topic: Using a laser to illuminate.
Replies: 16
Views: 5342

Re: Using a laser to illuminate.

Again, double check this, I am not 100% on it. Flourescence is caused by short wavelengths, like ultra violet. Standard black lights put out ultra violet that is just off the visible spectrum, These things can excite lots of things to give off visible light since each photon DOES have enough energy ...
by Placozoa
Mon Mar 22, 2021 1:41 pm
Forum: Illumination Techniques
Topic: Using a laser to illuminate.
Replies: 16
Views: 5342

Re: Using a laser to illuminate.

I will try to answer but I cant vouch for the accuracy of this. I think it has to do with quantum mechanics. Light is absorbed or emitted by electrons jumping up or down one or more shell. The shells are determined by harmonics of the electronss wavelength (QM says "stuff" is both a wave and a parti...
by Placozoa
Sat Mar 20, 2021 10:30 am
Forum: Microscopy accessories
Topic: 23mm diameter 10x/22 eyepieces (!)
Replies: 44
Views: 20922

Re: 23mm diameter 10x/22 eyepieces (!)

With some microscopes, the maximum optical tube diameter is very close to the standard eyepiece f.o.v. Increasing the apparent f.o.v. of the eyepiece results in no or a minimal increase in the real f.o.v. because the eyepiece field stop is not the arbiter of the field diameter; the optical tube is....
by Placozoa
Sat Mar 20, 2021 9:56 am
Forum: Microscopy accessories
Topic: 23mm diameter 10x/22 eyepieces (!)
Replies: 44
Views: 20922

Re: 23mm diameter 10x/22 eyepieces (!)

The inner diameter of the the tube on mine is exactly 22 mm, so if you are not seeing a 2 mm increase in field number maybe the intermediate image is at a different depth from the top of the eye tube relative to the original eyepieces? Is parfocality when switching objectives worse with the 10X/22 ...
by Placozoa
Sat Mar 20, 2021 9:39 am
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: The Pond - Darkfield edition
Replies: 8
Views: 2868

Re: The Pond - Darkfield edition

Kind of need a brightfield edition for ID on anything unfortunately. Darkfield looks way nicer but loses critical details. The music matched nicely on the spinning critters at the end, but didnt match well with the gastrotrich etc at the start. Music sometimes goes alright, but normally I just mute ...
by Placozoa
Fri Mar 19, 2021 9:43 pm
Forum: Beginner's corner
Topic: I can't see chromosomes
Replies: 8
Views: 2842

Re: I can't see chromosomes

Colchicine was an interesting trip down google lane. American politicians did a little black magic to raise the price from 9 cents to 5 bucks a tablet and teleport some cash from the citizens pockets into their own pockets. It does seem to have a few minor side effects (death, multiple organ failure...
by Placozoa
Fri Mar 19, 2021 8:54 pm
Forum: Introduce yourself
Topic: Hi I am new but have microscope problems already
Replies: 22
Views: 7204

Re: Hi I am new but have microscope problems already

I was short of options when I first got my scope so I called a research lab nearby to find out about cleaners. Their miscroscope tech called me back the next day. The secret ingredient they use is blue windex. He said do NOT use green windex, it leaves behind something, but blue windex is the stuff ...
by Placozoa
Fri Mar 19, 2021 8:36 pm
Forum: My microscope
Topic: My Microscopes and Amscope Purchases
Replies: 16
Views: 7050

Re: My Microscopes and Amscope Purchases

I own an amscope and its fine, I have been using it the most lately actually. :)
by Placozoa
Fri Mar 19, 2021 12:36 am
Forum: Microscopy accessories
Topic: 23mm diameter 10x/22 eyepieces (!)
Replies: 44
Views: 20922

Re: 23mm diameter 10x/22 eyepieces (!)

I found this topic compelling, so I bought one. Just arrived an hour ago. The field of view matches my 10x/20 perfectly, a bit of a surprise I thought it might be a bit bigger. The glass is considerably larger than my 10x/20 and the image is noticably sharper with the 10x/22. Its a good eyepiece and...
by Placozoa
Mon Mar 15, 2021 3:48 am
Forum: Beginner's corner
Topic: 2 ways to get 200X
Replies: 21
Views: 8091

Re: 2 ways to get 200X

Thanks Pete. My 60x has no field iris, I forgot that many high end objectives do have one.

As soon as you said it I felt silly, it was obvious. lol.
by Placozoa
Mon Mar 15, 2021 3:08 am
Forum: Beginner's corner
Topic: 2 ways to get 200X
Replies: 21
Views: 8091

Re: 2 ways to get 200X

Heliozian -- If it's mostly pond critters... ...You could also try stopping down the 60x you have a bit - maybe marginally better than the 40x. I look at pond critters too, although I am not considering oil immersion at the moment. What did PeteM mean by "stopping down"? As for the original thread,...
by Placozoa
Sun Mar 14, 2021 3:53 am
Forum: Beginner's corner
Topic: 2 ways to get 200X
Replies: 21
Views: 8091

Re: 2 ways to get 200X

I'm curious why there have been so many recent "I'm about to get a microscope" posters who want a 60x dry objective? I have multiples of various 60x objectives -- with and without cover slip corrections, with and without oil immersion, and even a couple with water immersion -- but only a really pri...
by Placozoa
Sat Mar 13, 2021 5:17 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Test, using Teleconverters and/or extension tubes
Replies: 5
Views: 2134

Re: Test, using Teleconverters and/or extension tubes

I greatly appreciate comparisons such as this. Thanks. :) It is really difficult to photograph a truly fair comparison, its not even easy to make a fair comparison even without photographing it. I would not be comfortable attempting it, but I learn a lot when I see people that know what they are doi...
by Placozoa
Sat Mar 13, 2021 4:08 am
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: Living Diatom
Replies: 10
Views: 3402

Re: Living Diatom

Your english is good. I understood everything.

Video is quite good also, lots of detail. :)
by Placozoa
Sat Mar 13, 2021 12:50 am
Forum: Identification help
Topic: More from the pond - Rotifer?
Replies: 8
Views: 3253

Re: More from the pond - Rotifer?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlMLfCKx29A I have some of these. When they arent under a coverslip, they glide around like that, then when they feel like it, they stick that toe to the substrate, do kind of a handstand and slurp up bacteria. Not all of them move around like caterpillars. I mighf be...
by Placozoa
Fri Mar 12, 2021 8:17 pm
Forum: Introduce yourself
Topic: Brent from British Columbia
Replies: 10
Views: 3857

Re: Brent from British Columbia

Thank you for the comments!! Could you please elaborate on "Avoid those parts that claim to turn your phone into a microscope." I think most people here would be hoping to add the smartphone to the eyepiece or camera tube, in which case these are not the right ones. If someone really did want to do...