Some Nikon trinocular tube accessories

Here you can discuss DIY adaptations to the microscope.
Post Reply
Message
Author
TomFid
Posts: 28
Joined: Mon Dec 28, 2020 4:48 pm

Some Nikon trinocular tube accessories

#1 Post by TomFid » Tue Jan 19, 2021 4:06 pm

I've been messing around with camera setup for a new-to-me Optiphot and SMZ-10. I've 3D printed a few parts for testing, which are now shared on Tinkercad.

The trinocular ports on both scopes seem to have an inside diameter of 42.5mm, though I suspect they're nominally 42mm. Printing 42.5mm directly yields too tight a fit, so I settled on 42.3mm, which is comfortably snug.

A tall cap for the SMZ, which has a protruding inner tube:
https://www.tinkercad.com/things/9TT3TrsnaQS

A shorter cap with a wider flange for the Optiphot:
https://www.tinkercad.com/things/08ybmgAsnmG
Presumably this would also fit a Labophot and other xxxPhots.

An M42 screw mount adapter:
https://www.tinkercad.com/things/jbeWzaE2Vg8
This works great with a bellows to get parfocal eyepiece projection. Or, it would if I had the right eyepiece (1x TV relay or 2.5x I guess).

A 46mm filter thread adapter:
https://www.tinkercad.com/things/7krp5X6m108
I printed this for afocal use with the 10 photo eyepiece and Panasonic 25mm f/1.7 (Micro Four Thirds). The notches are there because small threads can be finicky, but in hindsight I don't think they were needed.

I printed these in PLA with 100% infill. There aren't any overhang issues on my printer. My camera is fairly light (Olympus EM5ii); for anything bigger, you might want to thicken the walls or use a tougher filament.

User avatar
mrsonchus
Posts: 4175
Joined: Tue Feb 03, 2015 9:42 pm
Location: Cumbria, UK

Re: Some Nikon trinocular tube accessories

#2 Post by mrsonchus » Tue Jan 19, 2021 10:06 pm

Very interesting indeed, may I ask what model 3D printer you used for this?
John B

TomFid
Posts: 28
Joined: Mon Dec 28, 2020 4:48 pm

Re: Some Nikon trinocular tube accessories

#3 Post by TomFid » Wed Jan 20, 2021 2:48 am

I used an Ender 5, which I borrow from my kids. I did this with Cura and Tinkercad (easy for simple stuff, and easy to share) though I normally like to make things parametric with OpenSCAD.

Post Reply