Search found 252 matches

by microcosmos
Tue Jul 18, 2023 12:23 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Comparison of optomechanical design of immersion objective tips of Zeiss, Olympus, Nikon
Replies: 13
Views: 2343

Re: Comparison of optomechanical design of immersion objective tips of Zeiss, Olympus, Nikon

Maybe Olympus hadn't enough information regarding the coating they were using in the presence of silicone? It does seem at least that they didn't have information on how this material would degrade over long-term use, and this kind of information was probably unimportant for selling the objectives....
by microcosmos
Mon Jul 17, 2023 1:00 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Comparison of optomechanical design of immersion objective tips of Zeiss, Olympus, Nikon
Replies: 13
Views: 2343

Re: Comparison of optomechanical design of immersion objective tips of Zeiss, Olympus, Nikon

Here's an Olympus silicone objective with a similar ring of black substance that seems to melt/disintegrate into sticky particles (I already cleaned them off the glass with some difficulty). https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/n-xC6Rt/Microscopy/i-96pncLJ/0/ebfff8d4/S/IMG_5612-S.jpg https://photos.smug...
by microcosmos
Mon Jun 19, 2023 11:42 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Comparison of optomechanical design of immersion objective tips of Zeiss, Olympus, Nikon
Replies: 13
Views: 2343

Re: Comparison of optomechanical design of immersion objective tips of Zeiss, Olympus, Nikon

The actual front lens design difference between the 3 designs is due to the Olympus lens having an embedded front lens. This is a physical embedment. There is no cement. There is some possibility of oil creep making it's way between the lenses but I have not heard of much if any of that. Sometimes ...
by microcosmos
Wed Jun 14, 2023 12:59 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Comparison of optomechanical design of immersion objective tips of Zeiss, Olympus, Nikon
Replies: 13
Views: 2343

Re: Comparison of optomechanical design of immersion objective tips of Zeiss, Olympus, Nikon

I'll leave oil immersion on an inverted. Doesn't that mean the condenser also has to be oiled? The inverteds I was cleaning are optimized for epifluorescence and confocal laser scanning of cell culture dishes, so the objective is the condenser. There is a diascopic condenser but it has very low NA.
by microcosmos
Tue Jun 13, 2023 12:52 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Comparison of optomechanical design of immersion objective tips of Zeiss, Olympus, Nikon
Replies: 13
Views: 2343

Comparison of optomechanical design of immersion objective tips of Zeiss, Olympus, Nikon

Lately I have been cleaning oil immersion objectives from Zeiss, Olympus and Nikon on inverted microscopes, and experienced the following: Zeiss Plan Apo 63x/1.4 oil https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/n-xC6Rt/Microscopy/i-PL3hd92/0/b00d4514/L/IMG_5250-L.jpg - spring-loaded tip is smaller-diameter than...
by microcosmos
Sun Jan 22, 2023 3:03 am
Forum: Microscopy accessories
Topic: Test slide made by Optical Insights Spectral Imaging Solutions
Replies: 6
Views: 2985

Re: Test slide made by Optical Insights Spectral Imaging Solutions

Thanks for the explanation, it's clear to me now!
by microcosmos
Sat Jan 21, 2023 2:10 am
Forum: Microscopy accessories
Topic: Test slide made by Optical Insights Spectral Imaging Solutions
Replies: 6
Views: 2985

Re: Test slide made by Optical Insights Spectral Imaging Solutions

Thank you all for your replies. The slide doesn't belong to me but I was fortunate to borrow it. So Optical Insights is a company that made dual-view camera systems. Essentially, a giant box splits the image into two, this is used to excite two types of dye for simultaneous observation, each image o...
by microcosmos
Sun Jan 15, 2023 5:07 am
Forum: My microscope
Topic: Olympus BH2 BHSP with reflected light
Replies: 43
Views: 15953

Re: Olympus BH2 BHSP with reflected light

Here are test images of illumination uniformity, taken in transmitted and reflected light with the 4x objective (FN26.5) and an EOS-1D X DSLR and NFK 2.5x photo eyepiece. Screenshot 2023-01-15 at 11.08.55.png Transmitted light, Köhler illumination Screenshot 2023-01-15 at 11.13.38.png Intensity prof...
by microcosmos
Sun Jan 15, 2023 5:04 am
Forum: Microscopy accessories
Topic: Test slide made by Optical Insights Spectral Imaging Solutions
Replies: 6
Views: 2985

Test slide made by Optical Insights Spectral Imaging Solutions

I came across this interesting slide whose manufacturer's logo is a zebra: https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/n-xC6Rt/Microscopy/i-LtCFCF7/0/f041225b/L/IMG_3971-L.jpg It has a smooth bronze-coloured reflective surface and a pattern of see-through square grids and circles. I put it under my Olympus BHS...
by microcosmos
Thu Dec 29, 2022 11:48 am
Forum: My microscope
Topic: Olympus BH2 BHSP with reflected light
Replies: 43
Views: 15953

Re: Olympus BH2 BHSP with reflected light

What do you mean by distorted corners? Do you mean pincushion/barrel distortion near the corners? I didn't notice anything with my UIS2 objectives and FN26.5 BH2 eyepieces, but I wasn't looking very hard and I wasn't looking at a grid. Indeed, the mix of UIS2 objectives, BH2 tube lens and BH2 superw...
by microcosmos
Mon Dec 26, 2022 3:45 am
Forum: My microscope
Topic: Olympus BH2 BHSP with reflected light
Replies: 43
Views: 15953

Re: Olympus BH2 BHSP with reflected light

https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/n-xC6Rt/Microscopy/i-KMLx9FW/0/d1907795/L/olympus%20BHSP%20microscope%20BH2-MA%20vertical%20illuminator%20reflected%20light%20maintenance%20cleaning-L.jpg I have what I think is the AB138900 inner plate as shown in the photo above. But it is just an empty ring, no g...
by microcosmos
Sun Dec 25, 2022 5:34 am
Forum: My microscope
Topic: Olympus BH2 BHSP with reflected light
Replies: 43
Views: 15953

Re: Olympus BH2 BHSP with reflected light

1. I think this is the green lens, not the red lens. You are looking at it upside down. 2. Ok I understand. But why did the other members of the forum suggest changing the tube lens? Perhaps the tube lens does correct something that is different between BH2 and UIS2 optical systems? 3. What does "fi...
by microcosmos
Sat Dec 24, 2022 4:24 am
Forum: My microscope
Topic: Olympus BH2 BHSP with reflected light
Replies: 43
Views: 15953

Re: Olympus BH2 BHSP with reflected light

1. I am quite sure my MA2 doesn't have the red arrow lenses. Maybe they belong to the analyzer slider above, or maybe the lenses were removed for some reason before I acquired the part. 2. Why don't you think it's necessary? 3. Ok, but where is it in the diagram? Is it just another name for the tube...
by microcosmos
Sat Dec 17, 2022 2:21 am
Forum: My microscope
Topic: Olympus BH2 BHSP with reflected light
Replies: 43
Views: 15953

Re: Olympus BH2 BHSP with reflected light

1. Does your diagram show MA2 or RLA? You said ""MA2 epi illuminator" (RLA)" so I'm not sure which one you're talking about. My MA2 doesn't have the lens with the red arrows. It is missing the entire AB119800. I assume my tube lens is the green one. 2. Yes, the tube lens has different corrections fo...
by microcosmos
Wed Oct 05, 2022 4:53 am
Forum: My microscope
Topic: Olympus BH2 BHSP with reflected light
Replies: 43
Views: 15953

Re: Olympus BH2 BHSP with reflected light

Thanks for the link. In any case I think I figured out where the 180 mm is. If you refer to the diagram above, I assume it's 33.6 + 151.3, minus the 4 mm overlap. So yes, I realise the "reference plane" is just for convenience.
by microcosmos
Mon Oct 03, 2022 12:37 pm
Forum: My microscope
Topic: Olympus BH2 BHSP with reflected light
Replies: 43
Views: 15953

Re: Olympus BH2 BHSP with reflected light

Although the Olympus tube lenses are all supposed to be "f = 180", I'm still confused. For example with this diagram of the SWTLU (numbers in mm): Screenshot 2022-10-03 at 19.59.26.png Where exactly is the "f = 180" in this diagram? There's the number 151.3 mm from the reference plane to the focal p...
by microcosmos
Sun Oct 02, 2022 6:11 am
Forum: My microscope
Topic: Olympus BH2 BHSP with reflected light
Replies: 43
Views: 15953

Re: Olympus BH2 BHSP with reflected light

It might also be interesting to try a full UIS-infinity-compatible conversion. I don't know much about the polarization analyzer, but I'd assume the tube lens in another f=180 epi head could be removed and then something like a U-TLA tube lens added in place of a trinocular head for direct imaging ...
by microcosmos
Sun Jul 03, 2022 11:41 am
Forum: My microscope
Topic: Zeiss Jena Stativ GCE 1926: history, design, materials, workmanship, optics
Replies: 33
Views: 7361

Re: Zeiss Jena Stativ GCE 1926: history, design, materials, workmanship, optics

https://blogs.zeiss.com/microscopy/en/m ... n-germany/

A short article about the Jena facility which started in the 19th century, made my microscope and is now the birthplace of their most advanced confocals and light sheets.
by microcosmos
Sun Jun 26, 2022 9:00 am
Forum: My microscope
Topic: Zeiss Jena Stativ GCE 1926: history, design, materials, workmanship, optics
Replies: 33
Views: 7361

Re: Zeiss Jena Stativ GCE 1926: history, design, materials, workmanship, optics

https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/n-xC6Rt/Microscopy/i-LNGjQQv/0/9aad63f6/XL/IMG_2815-XL.jpg Makeshift polarized-light setup with "burger" made of Olympus analyzers, and deployment of my large-calibre "nuclear warhead" objective, the Zeiss Pol Z Plan 2.5x. The top lens of the condenser was unscrewed...
by microcosmos
Mon Jun 13, 2022 1:08 pm
Forum: My microscope
Topic: Zeiss Jena Stativ GCE 1926: history, design, materials, workmanship, optics
Replies: 33
Views: 7361

Re: Zeiss Jena Stativ GCE 1926: history, design, materials, workmanship, optics

Zeiss Archives has kindly replied that this instrument was delivered to Bennett (a dealer) in New York in 1926. Is it safe to assume it went on a transatlantic cruise instead of flights? Does anyone know anything about Bennett? In 2022 it would depart New York on probably its very first trip to the ...
by microcosmos
Sat Jun 11, 2022 10:41 am
Forum: My microscope
Topic: Zeiss Jena Stativ GCE 1926: history, design, materials, workmanship, optics
Replies: 33
Views: 7361

Re: Zeiss Jena Stativ GCE 1926: history, design, materials, workmanship, optics

I reproduce here a discussion about the oil immersion objective, which arose on another thread about immersion oils. First, apochronaut kindly examined a similar objective in his collection: I've had a look at that objective. Has a tiny serial # 9412 on the front housing lip, kind of illuminating a ...
by microcosmos
Sat Jun 11, 2022 10:38 am
Forum: Microscopy accessories
Topic: Applied Precision immersion oils
Replies: 12
Views: 3086

Re: Applied Precision immersion oils

https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/n-xC6Rt/Microscopy/i-t6dBd7J/0/f9595ab6/XL/IMG_2722-XL.jpg https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/n-xC6Rt/Microscopy/i-nPXs88J/0/592cae84/XL/IMG_2740-XL.jpg The cap on my objective unscrewed easily. It doesn't seem to be plated as it looks similar on both sides. On the in...
by microcosmos
Tue Jun 07, 2022 8:48 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Zeiss water immersion objective front lens damage
Replies: 28
Views: 4103

Re: Zeiss water immersion objective front lens damage

Acetone and chloroform both had no visible effect under a 10x loupe.
by microcosmos
Sun Jun 05, 2022 9:57 pm
Forum: Microscopy accessories
Topic: Applied Precision immersion oils
Replies: 12
Views: 3086

Re: Applied Precision immersion oils

Thank you apochronaut for the detailed explanation. I will try to examine the objective with a microscope to see if the seal on the front lens is still intact. I will have to check the condenser too as I was planning to oil it as well. I guess I’ll stick with cedar oil as the front lens housing is m...
by microcosmos
Sun Jun 05, 2022 10:54 am
Forum: My microscope
Topic: Zeiss Jena Stativ GCE 1926: history, design, materials, workmanship, optics
Replies: 33
Views: 7361

Re: Zeiss Jena Stativ GCE 1926: history, design, materials, workmanship, optics

https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/n-xC6Rt/Microscopy/i-Dsm4FZG/0/005a841e/XL/YC010713-XL.jpg Something on one of the inner lenses of the eyepiece - is this delamination? I can't remove it with isopropanol and lens paper. Here are the very first micrographs, of the most classic slide in my collection...
by microcosmos
Sun Jun 05, 2022 7:25 am
Forum: My microscope
Topic: Zeiss Jena Stativ GCE 1926: history, design, materials, workmanship, optics
Replies: 33
Views: 7361

Re: Zeiss Jena Stativ GCE 1926: history, design, materials, workmanship, optics

I've verified physically that the ocular tube is 23.2 mm and the objective threads are RMS. These standard specs make the instrument more powerful and versatile as you can use any of the finite RMS objectives and matching eyepieces, and the tube length is adjustable. For example they fit my Nikon CF...
by microcosmos
Sun Jun 05, 2022 3:48 am
Forum: Microscopy accessories
Topic: Applied Precision immersion oils
Replies: 12
Views: 3086

Re: Applied Precision immersion oils

Thank you for the insights - it’s good to learn some of the principles behind the constitution of oils of varying index. My objective is likely held together by balsam but I can’t be sure. So I think I’ll stick with cedar oil for now, going with the authentic 1920s experience. But I’m still interest...
by microcosmos
Sun Jun 05, 2022 1:30 am
Forum: My microscope
Topic: Zeiss Jena Stativ GCE 1926: history, design, materials, workmanship, optics
Replies: 33
Views: 7361

Re: Zeiss Jena Stativ GCE 1926: history, design, materials, workmanship, optics

Thank you very much for the information. Now I can celebrate its centenary. Queen Elizabeth II may also be interested to know that she was only two months old when this microscope was made. I have also written to Zeiss Archives to ask if they have any information from their production and dispatch l...
by microcosmos
Sat Jun 04, 2022 11:59 am
Forum: My microscope
Topic: Zeiss Jena Stativ GCE 1926: history, design, materials, workmanship, optics
Replies: 33
Views: 7361

Re: Zeiss Jena Stativ GCE 1926: history, design, materials, workmanship, optics

After some deliberation, I've decided on the official theme music for my microscope: Anton Bruckner · Symphonie IX Wiener Philharmoniker · Herbert von Karajan Großer Saal, Musikverein · 1978 https://youtu.be/6CEiZ7DTVZ8 I will soon take the microscope on its sea trials and shakedown cruise, and emba...
by microcosmos
Sat Jun 04, 2022 7:09 am
Forum: My microscope
Topic: Zeiss Jena Stativ GCE 1926: history, design, materials, workmanship, optics
Replies: 33
Views: 7361

Re: Zeiss Jena Stativ GCE 1926: history, design, materials, workmanship, optics

Screenshot 2022-05-03 at 20.55.02.png https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/n-xC6Rt/Microscopy/i-Q8XPqfr/1/4e81ed09/XL/IMG_2810-XL.jpg https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/n-xC6Rt/Microscopy/i-cvqDhHB/0/c5807eea/XL/IMG_2811-XL.jpg The condenser is a three-lens aplanatic of NA 1.4 and focal length 10.5 mm. A...