Search found 2988 matches

by PeteM
Sat Dec 23, 2023 7:35 pm
Forum: Illumination Techniques
Topic: Bertrand lens unfocused on objectives other than 4x, is that ok?
Replies: 7
Views: 2330

Re: Bertrand lens unfocused on objectives other than 4x, is that ok?

There should be some method of focusing the Bertrand lens - not sure what it is on a TMD. You do what to center each phase ring individually.
by PeteM
Fri Dec 22, 2023 11:57 pm
Forum: Beginner's corner
Topic: seeing double images
Replies: 10
Views: 4098

Re: seeing double images

While it could be your eyesight, it's more common that the head has been knocked a bit and is slightly out of alignment. Using just your cross-hair target slide and the cross-hair reticle eyepiece, center one eyetube with one eye. Then pull out the eyepiece, put it in the other tube, and see if it i...
by PeteM
Fri Dec 22, 2023 7:52 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Bausch & Lomb 240 aerial survey/photogrammetry zoom scope?
Replies: 4
Views: 3536

Re: Bausch & Lomb 240 aerial survey/photogrammetry zoom scope?

Thanks, Phil. If I got that right, the 240 will have parallel rather than the convergent optics of a regular StereoZoom head - and thus might be OK as an epi comparison scope (assuming there's enough working distance under the rhomboid arms). Is that your thought? Or is it convergent optics, as with...
by PeteM
Thu Dec 21, 2023 10:11 pm
Forum: About the website, the magazine and this forum
Topic: New trouble uploading images...
Replies: 19
Views: 16164

Re: New trouble uploading images...

Seems like it's back. No luck in uploading a screenshot in either .jpg or .png formats and reduced in size as low as 38kb.
by PeteM
Thu Dec 21, 2023 9:39 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Bausch & Lomb 240 aerial survey/photogrammetry zoom scope?
Replies: 4
Views: 3536

Bausch & Lomb 240 aerial survey/photogrammetry zoom scope?

I'm wondering if one of these B&L Stereozoom-derived microscopes could be used as a comparison microscope.we Here's an example, minus the stand, film handing, and light table that were part of the entire system: https://www.ebay.com/itm/325889859488? These look like B&L StereoZoom 4 pods, with the a...
by PeteM
Thu Dec 21, 2023 12:45 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Thinking about buying a Neophot 21, need information about it
Replies: 9
Views: 5996

Re: Thinking about buying a Neophot 21, need information about it

This is a metallurgical objective meant for epi use and without a cover slip. Even if mounted on its stand or another stand with an infinity tube lens, it won't provide a good image for regular slides. I have used a Zeiss Jena 50x no cover objective to look at smears (no coverslip) on Nikon Eclipse ...
by PeteM
Thu Dec 21, 2023 12:29 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Nosepiece compatibility between CH2 and BH2
Replies: 4
Views: 2399

Re: Nosepiece compatibility between CH2 and BH2

All the CH2 nosepieces I've seen have been screwed in place. For the BH2, the BHT and BHS have interchangeable nosepieces of the types shown above by DeBult. You'd want the ones with the dovetail slider and the extra holes. A quick and partial census of my own turrets shows most of the five-place on...
by PeteM
Thu Dec 21, 2023 12:22 am
Forum: Beginner's corner
Topic: Best size objective for Pond life?
Replies: 36
Views: 57036

Re: Best size objective for Pond life?

I'll second the desirability of including a 20x in the mix. It's often omitted in educational-level microscopes, leaving that big gap between 10x and 40x. However, it's often near perfect for having enough magnification to see detail, enough depth of field for a satisfying image, and not too high a ...
by PeteM
Wed Dec 20, 2023 1:38 am
Forum: Beginner's corner
Topic: Anyone with a BH2 able to tell me what they paid for their S plan APO's? + Questions
Replies: 5
Views: 2389

Re: Anyone with a BH2 able to tell me what they paid for their S plan APO's? + Questions

If you check eBay's "sold" listings over time, you'll see that it should be possible to spend a bit less. You also probably don't need both 60x and 100x Plan Apo oil immersion objectives, since they have similar resolutions (numerical apertures). Once you hook up a camera, the images from either mag...
by PeteM
Tue Dec 19, 2023 10:26 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Thoughts on these microscopes for sale on Facebook appreciated
Replies: 7
Views: 7671

Re: Thoughts on these microscopes for sale on Facebook appreciated

The Nikon Labophot might be more work than it's worth. It seems to have a single 10x objective, a busted plastic cover, likely a broken rear lamp, and nearly as likely (quite common) a broken plastic fine focus gear. All fixable, but not easily or especially affordably to get the gear and objectives...
by PeteM
Tue Dec 19, 2023 2:27 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Should I avoid vintage Leitz Scopes?
Replies: 15
Views: 14011

Re: Should I avoid vintage Leitz Scopes?

It might well be that 160 mm reference tube length is a rounding error or, as you suggest, that there are different ways of measuring it. I've also seen 165 mm as a claimed spec. I don't know - you might - if Zhang actually measured reference tube lengths, asked Zeiss, or pulled them from the patent...
by PeteM
Mon Dec 18, 2023 7:32 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Should I avoid vintage Leitz Scopes?
Replies: 15
Views: 14011

Re: Should I avoid vintage Leitz Scopes?

Phil, I don't know how Zeiss measures infinity tube length, but numerous sources list their reference tube length as 160mm. There are also discussions suggesting that a longer tube length is capable of better performance: ". . . Tube lengths between 200 and 250 millimeters are considered optimal, be...
by PeteM
Sun Dec 17, 2023 7:08 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Should I avoid vintage Leitz Scopes?
Replies: 15
Views: 14011

Re: Should I avoid vintage Leitz Scopes?

. . Zeiss infinity systems do not have correcting eye-pieces. They are perfectly neutral above the tube lens. I own a Zeiss infinity scope. About the tube length: Zeiss is still the world market leader with Nikon and Olympus 4th and 5th. Looks like Zeiss does at least something right. Thanks, Alexa...
by PeteM
Sun Dec 17, 2023 5:51 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Should I avoid vintage Leitz Scopes?
Replies: 15
Views: 14011

Re: Should I avoid vintage Leitz Scopes?

Some brands can be mixed without any loss in optical quality, What brands beside of Nikon are on the list? The loss of optical quality is a matter of degree in my experience. While Nikon aims to do all of its corrections in the objective, the latest Olympus UIS and Leica HC objectives don't seem to...
by PeteM
Sun Dec 17, 2023 5:05 pm
Forum: Illumination Techniques
Topic: Does phase contrast make sense for its price?
Replies: 49
Views: 32383

Re: Does phase contrast make sense for its price?

. . . Has anyone here ever used such objective? . . . I've used the Nikon CFI (infinity, 60mm parfocal) 10x and 20x apodized objectives, and they do provide less of a halo than others I've used (a dozen or so types). These objectives are really meant for the longer working distance corrections of a...
by PeteM
Sun Dec 17, 2023 4:10 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Epistar microscopes
Replies: 14
Views: 8377

Re: Epistar microscopes

. . . Anyone seen one of these before? . . . John John, They're "Cinch-Jones" or "Jones" connectors. You could do a search for compatible parts. That said, I'd be inclined to swap out the Jones connector and use a double banana plug. It will be cheaper, entirely adequate voltage and amp-wise, and c...
by PeteM
Sun Dec 17, 2023 4:00 am
Forum: Illumination Techniques
Topic: Does phase contrast make sense for its price?
Replies: 49
Views: 32383

Re: Does phase contrast make sense for its price?

Many subjects, such as most pond critters, are somewhat transparent bags of water with semi-transparent features inside. Phase is a good way of adding contrast in those cases and where you don't want to kill and stain live cells. You do get the halos - and if your main goal is to make stunning photo...
by PeteM
Sun Dec 17, 2023 3:46 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Should I avoid vintage Leitz Scopes?
Replies: 15
Views: 14011

Re: Should I avoid vintage Leitz Scopes?

This article includes information on which 170mm and 160mm Leitz objectives can interchange. http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/imgmar08/go-leitz_microscopes7rev.pdf There's a general plus and a general minus for Leitz finite scopes, IMO. The plus is that most are beautifully made (arguably mechani...
by PeteM
Sat Dec 16, 2023 1:47 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Leitz Laborlux III issue...
Replies: 2
Views: 1075

Re: Leitz Laborlux III issue...

Joe, assuming it's just hardened grease, this is a reasonable task for a patient and "handy" novice to take on.

I'm not sure what a Laborlux III is, though. Can I assume it's a black Leitz made sometime after the Laborlux II and before the off-white Laborlux 11?
by PeteM
Fri Dec 15, 2023 7:39 pm
Forum: Beginner's corner
Topic: Olympus S plan vs S plan APO for DIC
Replies: 2
Views: 1448

Re: Olympus S plan vs S plan APO for DIC

The SPlanApos will work for DIC, but you may not find the significantly higher price for a set worth it. Some reasons why: - The depth of field issue you've noted. - The Apos uses additional lens elements that, even with coatings, tend to reduce contrast. - Not sure it's a problem (I haven't noticed...
by PeteM
Thu Dec 14, 2023 10:55 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Need help B&L Lenses
Replies: 16
Views: 12647

Re: Need help B&L Lenses

Those are new to me. But I have seen a few different eyepieces with threads at the top; meant to attach eye guards.
by PeteM
Thu Dec 14, 2023 9:06 pm
Forum: Beginner's corner
Topic: Stage Plate, Frosted or Clear?
Replies: 13
Views: 6804

Re: Stage Plate, Frosted or Clear?

The OP's dilemma is that the only cheap 85 mm glass stage plates he can find available for sale are already frosted.
by PeteM
Thu Dec 14, 2023 9:02 pm
Forum: Microscopy accessories
Topic: Stages for Stereo microscope
Replies: 4
Views: 2782

Re: Stages for Stereo microscope

^^ I like your rotating stage idea or birefringent specimens.
by PeteM
Wed Dec 13, 2023 9:16 pm
Forum: Beginner's corner
Topic: Stage Plate, Frosted or Clear?
Replies: 13
Views: 6804

Re: Stage Plate, Frosted or Clear?

To my surprise, I've found that a frosted glass plate works OK for simple polarization on my SZH10 and SMZ-U. The illumination is from an imported LED plate. Above it is a linear polarizer, followed by a cheap frosted (both sides) glass stage plate. The objective has a linear polarizer. The polariza...
by PeteM
Wed Dec 06, 2023 2:17 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: LED illuminator replacement report
Replies: 4
Views: 1786

Re: LED illuminator replacement report

Do you have a picture of the 4x light coverage? . . .Thanks No - and I've put the scope away. The illuminated field is a circle inscribed a tiny bit inside the eyepiece view. That limitation is likely the field aperture as seen through the condenser. Quite usable for scanning. The illumination has ...
by PeteM
Tue Dec 05, 2023 9:50 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: LED illuminator replacement report
Replies: 4
Views: 1786

Re: LED illuminator replacement report

Some pix added.
by PeteM
Tue Dec 05, 2023 9:00 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Olympus BH-2 head opening
Replies: 4
Views: 1819

Re: Olympus BH-2 head opening

Things should go back properly aligned for a trinocular head rail. You can scratch a couple of faint witness lines in the metal carrier to housing if concerned.
by PeteM
Tue Dec 05, 2023 5:14 pm
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: Olympus BH-2 head opening
Replies: 4
Views: 1819

Re: Olympus BH-2 head opening

Small foam swabs and lighter fluid or its equivalent can be used to thoroughly clean off the rails. Once you've done that, a very small amount of most any light grease should do - NLG1 or even NLG2 - lots of past references on this site. I like silicone greases that don't outgas, taking care to keep...
by PeteM
Tue Dec 05, 2023 5:38 am
Forum: Microscopes and optics
Topic: LED illuminator replacement report
Replies: 4
Views: 1786

LED illuminator replacement report

Forum member, Saul, offers a wide variety of LED illuminators. They offer brighter illumination for old scopes and are also an affordable fix for a failed power supply. Multiple microscope models are supported in two basic styles. One includes provision for both LED and flash. The other is available...
by PeteM
Fri Dec 01, 2023 11:01 pm
Forum: Beginner's corner
Topic: Good Stereo Microscope?
Replies: 36
Views: 22749

Re: Good Stereo Microscope?

FWIW, in my experience, Stephen (Scarodactyl) IS the equivalent of a reputable shop - plus being more willing to share accurate information and typically with lower overheads and fairer prices.