Search found 3195 matches

by zzffnn
Sat Mar 02, 2024 6:43 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Selling old Leitz Laborlux or SM?
Replies: 20
Views: 721

Re: Selling old Leitz Laborlux

It looks like your Heine is missing its (oil immersion) top lens.
by zzffnn
Wed Feb 28, 2024 4:40 am
Forum: Home-made microscope adaptations
Topic: COL with polarized filters
Replies: 15
Views: 1182

Re: COL with polarized filters

It may be beneficial in theory, to have a completely opaque mask blocking 3/4 view, and then split the rest 1/4 into two equal parts of 1/8 each: part #1 = 1/8 blocked by tunable pol filter, and the outside most part #2 = 1/8 completely open to light However, each objective would need a precisely ma...
by zzffnn
Tue Feb 27, 2024 4:42 pm
Forum: Home-made microscope adaptations
Topic: COL with polarized filters
Replies: 15
Views: 1182

Re: COL with polarized filters

From the diatom overview photo, I am guessing your dark center stop is slightly too big than optimal (that is why center of the photo is much darker). Were your dark center mask about the same size as the pol center stop? If they were of the same size and both being slightly too big, then I agree th...
by zzffnn
Tue Feb 27, 2024 2:21 pm
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: Ciliate or a worm?
Replies: 6
Views: 352

Re: Ciliate or a worm?

Sometimes even gravity alone is enough to concentrate some ciliates. I would suggest maybe 200 rpm. In biology labs, we do no more than 800 rpm for eukaryotic cells.
by zzffnn
Tue Feb 27, 2024 2:39 am
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: Ciliate or a worm?
Replies: 6
Views: 352

Re: Ciliate or a worm?

Nice video, Harry.

That look like a ciliate. I don’t know what that appendage is; I am guessing it may be an injury. Bruce Taylor would be the expert to ask; or your can ask David Seamer on Facebook.

Was that video recorded using DIC (what scope brand and model)? What magnification? 20x?
by zzffnn
Mon Feb 26, 2024 8:14 pm
Forum: Home-made microscope adaptations
Topic: COL with polarized filters
Replies: 15
Views: 1182

Re: COL with polarized filters

Nice work. Have you compared: 1) COL with a totally opaque (totally black) central mask + polarized peripheral light outside of the central mask with 2) your COL with pol filter as central mask [of the same size as 1) ] and plain peripheral light? Do you have a clear preference between 1) and 2) ? 2...
by zzffnn
Thu Feb 22, 2024 11:31 pm
Forum: Microscopy accessories
Topic: What tip size for micropipette
Replies: 7
Views: 621

Re: What tip size for micropipette

Yes, 200 ul. Exactly what Alexander said. About 30 ul of water is enough to spread under regular 22mm cover slips without being too thick, if I remember correctly. You can always cut the tip of 200 ul, if you consider the tip too sharp (sometimes pipetting too hard with sharp tips will generate too ...
by zzffnn
Thu Feb 22, 2024 9:30 pm
Forum: Beginner's corner
Topic: LOMO 40x 0.75 water immersion objective
Replies: 3
Views: 470

Re: LOMO 40x 0.75 water immersion objective

I use mechanical adapters and machine washers to raise the stage and the condenser of my Nikon Optiphot, to use with short LOMOs. The LOMO 40/0.75 can be used with or with cover slip, in either water immersion (with cover slip) or in water dipping (without cover slip). At NA of 0.75, cover slip does...
by zzffnn
Fri Feb 09, 2024 6:43 am
Forum: My microscope
Topic: Does Anybody Recognize this Inverted 'Scope?
Replies: 33
Views: 3057

Re: Does Anybody Recognize this Inverted 'Scope?

Gerry, I almost bought that one for DIY modifications :lol: if all parts work, then it is a good value (especially for its removable trinocular head, mechanical stage and DIY friendly condenser mount). It looks decent for the price you paid. Manufacturer (Jiangnan Yongxin / Novel) does not sell that...
by zzffnn
Wed Feb 07, 2024 6:25 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Lomo objective designations
Replies: 33
Views: 6713

Re: Lomo objective designations

Thank you, Apochronaut for the test! I bought a pair of W10x 15.5mm. I have many short LOMO achromats that will benefit from them. I dug into my old videos more carefully and found this darkfield recording (which reveals CA more than oblique and brightfield / phase), done with the LOMO 40x 0.75, afo...
by zzffnn
Sun Feb 04, 2024 2:45 pm
Forum: Illumination Techniques
Topic: Switching out my ELWD condenser for a higher NA condenser
Replies: 8
Views: 660

Re: Switching out my ELWD condenser for a higher NA condenser

I would think even if factory solution does not exist (which is unlikely), it would not be difficult to adapt a high NA condenser and LED light source onto Diaphot. Does that condenser holder go low enough? With the hanging drop method (with upside-down cover slip - slide), you can have an 0.17mm s...
by zzffnn
Sun Feb 04, 2024 5:04 am
Forum: Illumination Techniques
Topic: Switching out my ELWD condenser for a higher NA condenser
Replies: 8
Views: 660

Re: Switching out my ELWD condenser for a higher NA condenser

I would think even if factory solution does not exist (which is unlikely), it would not be difficult to adapt a high NA condenser and LED light source onto Diaphot. Does that condenser holder go low enough? With the hanging drop method (with upside-down cover slip - slide), you can have an 0.17mm sp...
by zzffnn
Fri Feb 02, 2024 7:00 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Lomo objective designations
Replies: 33
Views: 6713

Re: Lomo objective designations

Just for reference, the following are some of my old videos shot with LOMO K10x/18, using afocal connection (objective -> microscope turret + eye tube -> K10x/18 eyepiece-> 30mm lens (equivalent to 60mm in full frame) -> micro four thirds camera). All my microscopy videos were shot that way. I used ...
by zzffnn
Fri Feb 02, 2024 6:07 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Lomo objective designations
Replies: 33
Views: 6713

Re: Lomo objective designations

I use LOMO K10x/18, which is not easy to find (they came together with my LOMO objectives from Russia). I think apochronaut said Olympus Tokyo (Bi) WF10x works well too (which is much cheaper and much easier to buy). I have not tested that combo myself, but I trust (and have been replying on) apochr...
by zzffnn
Thu Feb 01, 2024 6:30 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Lomo objective designations
Replies: 33
Views: 6713

Re: Lomo objective designations

A related question…how “good” are Lomo objectives? I am considering adding to my objective collection. Thanks The 3.7x is weirdly great for macro shootin'. It is quite good and covers full frame sensors if I remember correctly, assuming one shoots focus stacks, because it is not plan. It was actual...
by zzffnn
Wed Jan 31, 2024 7:16 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Lomo objective designations
Replies: 33
Views: 6713

Re: Lomo objective designations

J_WISC wrote:
Wed Jan 31, 2024 4:15 pm
Hello.

Thank you for this thread. Can someone suggest the meaning of the following symbol on a LOMO water immersion objective?


IMG_5630.jpeg


Thanks.
Sorry, I do not know what that symbol means.
by zzffnn
Wed Jan 31, 2024 7:15 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Lomo objective designations
Replies: 33
Views: 6713

Re: Lomo objective designations

A related question…how “good” are Lomo objectives? I am considering adding to my objective collection. Thanks In general, the higher (> 10x) power ones are not very good; they lack contrast / field flatness, need eyepiece correction and are oftentimes not strain-free for polarizing microscopy. I us...
by zzffnn
Tue Jan 30, 2024 6:20 pm
Forum: For forum members who want to buy and sell equipment
Topic: Leitz Plan 1.6X objective
Replies: 9
Views: 757

Re: Leitz Plan 1.6X objective

I have bought two short Nikon Plan 1.2x iris objectives at drastically different prices (keeping in mind that optical quality of the Nikon is likely not as good as the [long barrel ] Leitz, so this may not be good reference; and I don’t know if the Leitz 1.6x has iris): The first one I waited for a ...
by zzffnn
Thu Jan 25, 2024 4:35 am
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: Lily pollen
Replies: 9
Views: 665

Re: Lily pollen

Amazing photos, thank you for sharing!
by zzffnn
Tue Jan 23, 2024 3:30 pm
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: Some arcellinid amoebae in SEM
Replies: 21
Views: 1516

Re: Some arcellinid amoebae in SEM

Stunning and fascinating images, thank you for sharing, Bruce!
by zzffnn
Sun Jan 21, 2024 4:49 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Where is Rafcamera?
Replies: 5
Views: 791

Re: Where is Rafcamera?

Rafcamera is great to work with. I have bought from him many times.
by zzffnn
Tue Jan 16, 2024 7:11 am
Forum: Miscellaneous
Topic: PZO DIC
Replies: 20
Views: 6044

Re: PZO DIC

Thank you very much, Phil. Ah, that pretty much rules out almost all water immersion objectives that cost less than $400 USD each. How bad was the strain or background gradient (your “poor performance” is rated based on background gradient? The short LOMOs are not good at contrast, if you are also d...
by zzffnn
Mon Jan 15, 2024 4:21 pm
Forum: Beginner's corner
Topic: A stupid question: any good practice in cover slip cleaning?
Replies: 7
Views: 1164

Re: A stupid question: any good practice in cover slip cleaning?

When I worked as a microbiologist, our lab did use acids to wash cover slips. But now at home without a lab, I simply use a cotton or silk cloth to gently wipe them clean then rinse off with water. Most of the times, they work well enough for darkfield (after my wiping).
by zzffnn
Mon Jan 15, 2024 4:11 pm
Forum: Miscellaneous
Topic: PZO DIC
Replies: 20
Views: 6044

Re: PZO DIC

Phil or anyone who has tried LOMO short water immersion objectives (apo or not) on PZO DIC: please kindly let me know if they work reasonably well for DIC (if background gradient is reasonably even to eyes / can be adjusted in software). I have not done it, but it is on my to-do list for microscopy....
by zzffnn
Mon Dec 25, 2023 2:43 am
Forum: Illumination Techniques
Topic: Does phase contrast make sense for its price?
Replies: 49
Views: 29817

Re: Does phase contrast make sense for its price?

How much to block away depends on how much contrast you want for different subjects.

I usually have my condenser immersed and touching slide bottom.
by zzffnn
Sun Dec 24, 2023 4:50 pm
Forum: Illumination Techniques
Topic: Does phase contrast make sense for its price?
Replies: 49
Views: 29817

Re: Does phase contrast make sense for its price?

You can also make DIY circular oblique light (using different circular mask sizes) and cover up 1/3 to 2/3 of the light circle. That would produce similar effect as what Macro_Cosmos does with his Heine condenser.
by zzffnn
Fri Dec 22, 2023 7:57 pm
Forum: Specimens, samples and slides
Topic: Pond water aquarium for home
Replies: 16
Views: 5757

Re: Pond water aquarium for home

It would not hurt to keep several micro aquariums of different compositions and sizes too. I was told that they may start about the same, but surprisingly end up looking very differently under the microscope.
by zzffnn
Fri Dec 22, 2023 6:09 pm
Forum: Specimens, samples and slides
Topic: Pond water aquarium for home
Replies: 16
Views: 5757

Re: Pond water aquarium for home

Thank you @macnmotion for your response, with further encouragement. I will just go ahead, like yourself, and deal with whatever happens. I would suggest you to simply go ahead and make one. I don’t think there are specific modern books about it (antique books on the topic may exist but would be ve...
by zzffnn
Sun Dec 17, 2023 10:56 pm
Forum: Specimens, samples and slides
Topic: Doing Diatoms - part 2
Replies: 38
Views: 44878

Re: Doing Diatoms - part 2

Red sea is a nice place! I have some interesting seashells from that area.

Why are you aiming for a specific depth range (is 18 meters in depth not good enough for your purpose)?

I am guessing you are not allowed to bring (visible) dived specimens across the border?
by zzffnn
Fri Dec 15, 2023 6:40 am
Forum: Specimens, samples and slides
Topic: Protist aquarium- how long should I run air pump
Replies: 11
Views: 5702

Re: Protist aquarium- how long should I run air pump

Thank you, Charlie. Have you compared microscopic biodiversity with heater vs. without heater? Where I live can actually get pretty cool, even inside our home in winter (our family don’t like running high heat). I do not want completely natural (our outdoor nature dies down when air temperature drop...