Search found 108 matches

by Macro_Cosmos
Mon Mar 25, 2024 4:32 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Do I need another objective?
Replies: 46
Views: 1346

Re: Do I need another objective?

I will add one of those $120 PlanApo 20x objectives, the ones with branding.

Also hunt for a 10x cheap fluorite and 4x achromatic to use as finders.
by Macro_Cosmos
Wed Mar 20, 2024 1:13 am
Forum: Microscopy accessories
Topic: 1/4 wave filter source
Replies: 13
Views: 1737

Re: 1/4 wave filter source

The one I pulled apart must be very cheap or very old then, unfortunate. I have seen film type waveplates for less than $20 for a 50x50mm square. Supposedly they are used for screens.
by Macro_Cosmos
Thu Mar 14, 2024 5:08 am
Forum: Microscopy accessories
Topic: 1/4 wave filter source
Replies: 13
Views: 1737

Re: 1/4 wave filter source

A circular polariser consists of a 1/4 λ plate and a linear polariser. If you have one lying around, take it apart and you have your waveplate with an additional linear polariser.
by Macro_Cosmos
Thu Mar 07, 2024 4:12 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Olympus CX43 any thoughts ,made in China apparently
Replies: 19
Views: 886

Re: Olympus CX43 any thoughts ,made in China apparently

The modern CX3 line are all mostly made in china, that does not mean a decrease in quality. As products go, you usually get what you paid for. They are still quite expensive, no more or less when they were produced in Japan. I cannot imagine a cx43 with phase contrast selling for similar prices to a...
by Macro_Cosmos
Thu Mar 07, 2024 3:59 am
Forum: My microscope
Topic: My old 70s Japanese Denkar microscope
Replies: 5
Views: 374

Re: My old 70s Japanese Denkar microscope

Denkar was one of the many many white labelled Japanese optical products, others include Kenko, Sumo, Tasco, KKK-kogaku (yes, really :roll: ) and so on. Unless it has a made in Japan signage, you can probably assume it came from one of the few Chinese optics factories. The famous Swift field microsc...
by Macro_Cosmos
Mon Mar 04, 2024 4:32 am
Forum: Camera systems and imaging
Topic: How do you deal with the glare in camera
Replies: 8
Views: 1154

Re: How do you deal with the glare in camera

flock.jpg
flock.jpg (17.97 KiB) Viewed 631 times
Stick them into your tube.
by Macro_Cosmos
Mon Mar 04, 2024 4:24 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Microscope storage/portability options
Replies: 4
Views: 562

Re: Microscope storage/portability options

I transported half a dozen with a commercial removalist, no damage. All scopes broken down. I sourced original boxes from Evident, when possible. For critical parts such as objectives and condensers, I did it myself with a Pelican case. Key is complete removal of all user-removable parts, otherwise,...
by Macro_Cosmos
Mon Mar 04, 2024 4:21 am
Forum: Microscopy accessories
Topic: Mystery Nikon Magnifier
Replies: 8
Views: 1122

Re: Mystery Nikon Magnifier

As originally stated: although the lower lens element works as a very nice ‘magnifying glass’ … I haven’t found any setting where the complete device will achieve focus ! … from which I would deduce that it is intended to work in conjunction with other optics, rather than just being a loupe. Michae...
by Macro_Cosmos
Mon Mar 04, 2024 4:17 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Olympus BH2 versus BX series..how does one decide?
Replies: 6
Views: 628

Re: Olympus BH2 versus BX series..how does one decide?

It depends on what you want. If you want a first scope to mess around and then sell at a minimal loss, or even a small profit, the BH2 is pretty good. If you want a petrography microscope, I would personally choose the BH2 because parts are cheaper. A BX petrographic microscope would run you half a ...
by Macro_Cosmos
Tue Feb 20, 2024 2:58 am
Forum: Microscopy accessories
Topic: Olympus BH2 Magnification Changer
Replies: 4
Views: 647

Re: Olympus BH2 Magnification Changer

onilink_ wrote:
Sun Feb 04, 2024 10:48 pm
Is there a version with values < 1.0x? (It is even possible?)
No, but it is possible. I have seen an off-brand BX (u-ca) one with 0.5x.
by Macro_Cosmos
Tue Feb 20, 2024 2:39 am
Forum: My microscope
Topic: как устроен механический тубус ortholux2 как можно перевести на бесконечную оптику,
Replies: 5
Views: 897

Re: как устроен механический тубус ortholux2 как можно перевести на бесконечную оптику,

I don't think it is possible to change a finite optics microscope to infinity-corrected. You would be better off getting higher-grade finite optics for your Ortholux 2. Main advantage of infinity systems is ability to insert additional attachments into infinity space. Being a beginner, it is not so...
by Macro_Cosmos
Tue Feb 20, 2024 2:30 am
Forum: My microscope
Topic: Does Anybody Recognize this Inverted 'Scope?
Replies: 33
Views: 3431

Re: Does Anybody Recognize this Inverted 'Scope?

The logo says 上海 which means Shanghai, likely it came from one of the three or four state-run optics enterprises back in the days. It does not indicate which factory, but perhaps a nameplate at the back would say something like 上海光學三廠 (Shanghai optics Co 3rd factory), indicating its origin. I own a ...
by Macro_Cosmos
Tue Jan 23, 2024 3:19 am
Forum: Microscopy accessories
Topic: Mystery Nikon Magnifier
Replies: 8
Views: 1122

Re: Mystery Nikon Magnifier

Fine focus assist to be used with a camera mount apparatus that had its own eyepiece, it mounts onto the eyepiece.
by Macro_Cosmos
Wed Jan 10, 2024 4:33 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Olympus UPlanAPO 40x/1.00 Oil iris?
Replies: 6
Views: 6910

Re: Olympus UPlanAPO 40x/1.00 Oil iris?

1. Higher RI so that NA 1 oil will be brighter than an NA 0.95 dry, most immersion oil RI ~ 1.52 (e-line), air ~1.00. This means a brighter fluorescence signal and better matched RI to the glass slip. 2. The 1.0 oil one does not care about the thickness of your coverslip (well unless it is thicker t...
by Macro_Cosmos
Wed Jan 10, 2024 4:20 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Correction Collar : Leitz [surprise]
Replies: 11
Views: 12630

Re: Correction Collar : Leitz [surprise]

That is totally BS, the effect can be demonstrated easily and 0.7 NA is already high enough to see the adverse effects of spherical aberration. Zeiss even made spehrical aberration compensation slides with a glass wedge. Either during that time, imaging systems were lacklustre and thus the effect wa...
by Macro_Cosmos
Wed Jan 10, 2024 4:12 am
Forum: Illumination Techniques
Topic: Brightfield cube in U-RFAA (Olympus), compatible with DICR?
Replies: 3
Views: 5387

Re: Brightfield cube in U-RFAA (Olympus), compatible with DICR?

1. Works 2. Why change to Halogen? PE-300 would work well. 3. No, unless you only want the polarisers always crossed which limits functionality. -1: one rotatable analyser, no passthrough slot -2: with passthrough slot -3: same as above but there are lots of fakes from a Nanjing factory flooding the...
by Macro_Cosmos
Tue Jan 09, 2024 7:05 am
Forum: Beginner's corner
Topic: Inverted scope
Replies: 14
Views: 12972

Re: Inverted scope

There's gotta be something to that configuration for Nikon to build their entire super-resolution line around it, in addition to their line-up of conventional inverted scopes . All of these techniques are available for upright as well. Nikon like the other 3 are selling their top-line inverted micr...
by Macro_Cosmos
Thu Dec 28, 2023 2:47 pm
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: Hela Cells fluorescence DIC
Replies: 2
Views: 1582

Hela Cells fluorescence DIC

Image
40x.
Nucles stained with DAPI.
by Macro_Cosmos
Mon Dec 25, 2023 6:54 am
Forum: Illumination Techniques
Topic: Does phase contrast make sense for its price?
Replies: 49
Views: 32385

Re: Does phase contrast make sense for its price?

Thanks. I'm a bit confused: Get an abbe condenser which allows inserts to be placed at the back focal plane of the objective? My understanding is, I need to DYI a slide like the picture above, and also need to insert a varel ring at the back focal plane of the objective, right? The varel ring is ki...
by Macro_Cosmos
Tue Dec 19, 2023 2:19 am
Forum: Specimens, samples and slides
Topic: Petrographic Microscope Slides
Replies: 7
Views: 3380

Re: Petrographic Microscope Slides

I will be reluctantly selling off a large collection of petrographic slides soon, which includes some very large (X2 size of normal slide) meteorite (ll3 with small chondrules) slides that I specifically ordered.

I am planning to downsize my slide collection, so keep an eye. :)
by Macro_Cosmos
Tue Dec 19, 2023 2:04 am
Forum: Illumination Techniques
Topic: Does phase contrast make sense for its price?
Replies: 49
Views: 32385

Re: Does phase contrast make sense for its price?

Whatever trick is welcome: I see Zeiss has a technique called Varel, but very little information on the internet, have you seen anyone using it? This is something you can absolutely DIY. Get an abbe condenser which allows inserts to be placed at the back focal plane of the objective, and make yours...
by Macro_Cosmos
Tue Dec 19, 2023 1:56 am
Forum: Beginner's corner
Topic: Stage Plate, Frosted or Clear?
Replies: 13
Views: 6805

Re: Stage Plate, Frosted or Clear?

Why not both, they are less than $10 a pop from China and the quality is pretty good.
Additionally, get yourself a 2-sided black/white plate too.
by Macro_Cosmos
Thu Dec 14, 2023 3:47 am
Forum: Home-made microscope adaptations
Topic: DIY: Motorized nosepiece control?
Replies: 1
Views: 2042

Re: DIY: Motorized nosepiece control?

Yeah, it uses a stepper motor and hall effect sensors to ascertain the position. I have fixed a couple with modified plugs before. The pinout is easy to trace if you get a hold of one and open it up, simply loosen the two screws on the top. There are service manuals for the nosepiece, however, I hav...
by Macro_Cosmos
Sun Dec 10, 2023 3:32 am
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: Hydra extending tentacles, higher magnification
Replies: 3
Views: 1320

Re: Hydra extending tentacles, higher magnification

Javier wrote:
Sat Dec 09, 2023 2:50 pm
Very nice details, is that DIC?
Yeah, DIC.
by Macro_Cosmos
Sat Dec 09, 2023 1:44 pm
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: Hydra extending tentacles, higher magnification
Replies: 3
Views: 1320

Hydra extending tentacles, higher magnification



16x, 32x, 64x and 120x.
No scales and I will not use them again, I like dynamic zoom.
by Macro_Cosmos
Wed Dec 06, 2023 6:38 am
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: Clitellate worm: Naididae
Replies: 3
Views: 878

Re: Clitellate worm: Naididae

ddy5 wrote:
Tue Dec 05, 2023 1:31 pm
Lovely ... It's especially nice to see all the details in the high magnification segments.

Do you know of any good references for identifying oligochaete worms?

Thanks, David
Hi David,

Not at all, no. I sent a series of images to someone I know and he provided the ID.
by Macro_Cosmos
Fri Dec 01, 2023 3:15 pm
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: Stentor
Replies: 1
Views: 811

Stentor

by Macro_Cosmos
Thu Nov 30, 2023 9:04 am
Forum: Pictures and Videos
Topic: Cyclops sp. larva nauplius
Replies: 2
Views: 829

Re: Cyclops sp. larva nauplius

I've never seen one of those before! Is he under a cover glass on the slide, which is why he's not hopping all around? Also, what magnification is that? Thanks for sharing. Fished it out with a plankton net. The microbe is under a glass slide, probably compressed enough so it cannot move. I do not ...
by Macro_Cosmos
Wed Nov 29, 2023 2:17 am
Forum: Home-made microscope adaptations
Topic: Working in an "universal condenser" for Nikon Optiphot
Replies: 82
Views: 74871

Re: Working in an "universal condenser" for Nikon Optiphot

For DIC to work, you need to know the focal length of the condenser too, otherwise you are just gambling.

Ideally, you want the focal length to be the same as a proper universal condenser. This is totally doable but not trivial.