LED substage lighting for stereo scope
LED substage lighting for stereo scope
Thought I'd share an option to add a transmitted LED light to a stereo microscope. The is fairly cheap (under $100 for all the parts) and easy for anyone with access to either a 3D printer or a metal lathe.
In the past I've used LED "pucks" meant for spot lighting and also tiny light boxes. Recently, fully dimmable Chinese LED lamps actually meant to fit a 90mm stage opening have appeared on Ebay for around $60. These include a dimmable power supply. My implementation is a thin sandwich that includes a stage plate adapter, the LED lamp, a polarizer, and a top plate:
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The "sandwich" consists of:
1) Turned aluminum adapter to fit 95mm stage opening and capture the 90mm LED.
2) The round 90mm LED light box with a cut out in the stage for the cord.
3) Another bit of turned aluminum to nest in the above, carry a large linear camera polarizer, and fit a top glass plate.
4) Polarizer
5) 90mm glass plate to protect the polarizer.
.
.
Thread another polarizer on the objective and you've added both a transmitted base and polarization to a stereo scope - this quick pix at 20x.
.
In the past I've used LED "pucks" meant for spot lighting and also tiny light boxes. Recently, fully dimmable Chinese LED lamps actually meant to fit a 90mm stage opening have appeared on Ebay for around $60. These include a dimmable power supply. My implementation is a thin sandwich that includes a stage plate adapter, the LED lamp, a polarizer, and a top plate:
.
.
The "sandwich" consists of:
1) Turned aluminum adapter to fit 95mm stage opening and capture the 90mm LED.
2) The round 90mm LED light box with a cut out in the stage for the cord.
3) Another bit of turned aluminum to nest in the above, carry a large linear camera polarizer, and fit a top glass plate.
4) Polarizer
5) 90mm glass plate to protect the polarizer.
.
.
Thread another polarizer on the objective and you've added both a transmitted base and polarization to a stereo scope - this quick pix at 20x.
.
Re: LED substage lighting for stereo scope
Nice fabrication, looks professional, and thanks for pointing out those LED stage inserts, I hadn't come across them before.
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Re: LED substage lighting for stereo scope
That's very neat. I've been planning out a travel scope setup for myself and this looks like it could be a nice addition.
Re: LED substage lighting for stereo scope
A travel scope would be a good implementation, thought the variable power supply is about the size of a laptop supply.
Most folks would probably 3D print rather than turn the adapter rings to fit the stand, the LED lamp, the polarizer, and a top glass plate.
These aren't super bright, but did put out enough (and even enough) light to capture things like chemical crystals under crossed polarizers. This is the Ebay supplier I bought from - who has proven reliable on this and other purchases: https://www.ebay.com/itm/320744739657
Most folks would probably 3D print rather than turn the adapter rings to fit the stand, the LED lamp, the polarizer, and a top glass plate.
These aren't super bright, but did put out enough (and even enough) light to capture things like chemical crystals under crossed polarizers. This is the Ebay supplier I bought from - who has proven reliable on this and other purchases: https://www.ebay.com/itm/320744739657
Re: LED substage lighting for stereo scope
Thanks for the link, PeteM. What is the thickness of the lamp ? might purchase one for a newly purchased inexpensive Chinese stereoscope for a kid.PeteM wrote: ↑Wed Aug 04, 2021 6:26 amA travel scope would be a good implementation, thought the variable power supply is about the size of a laptop supply.
Most folks would probably 3D print rather than turn the adapter rings to fit the stand, the LED lamp, the polarizer, and a top glass plate.
These aren't super bright, but did put out enough (and even enough) light to capture things like chemical crystals under crossed polarizers. This is the Ebay supplier I bought from - who has proven reliable on this and other purchases: https://www.ebay.com/itm/320744739657
Re: LED substage lighting for stereo scope
Yes, this is a nice and a simple solution, thank you for the tip...
Your trinocular stereo Nikon looks great
Your trinocular stereo Nikon looks great
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Re: LED substage lighting for stereo scope
Lovely work.
Re: LED substage lighting for stereo scope
Dear Pete
I bought a second hand Nikon SMZ-U stereomicroscope. The light source is pretty bad. There is a plastic thing (94mm) on it like a plate flex. You can see photos. When I saw your solution, I wanted to consult.
I can buy LED lamp from ebay. Will this 90 mm lamp compatible to my microscope? Should I buy a 94 mm lamp?
But how can I obtain stage plate adapter and polarizer?
Is the top plate glass? What is the thickness in mm?
Best regards
I bought a second hand Nikon SMZ-U stereomicroscope. The light source is pretty bad. There is a plastic thing (94mm) on it like a plate flex. You can see photos. When I saw your solution, I wanted to consult.
I can buy LED lamp from ebay. Will this 90 mm lamp compatible to my microscope? Should I buy a 94 mm lamp?
But how can I obtain stage plate adapter and polarizer?
Is the top plate glass? What is the thickness in mm?
Best regards
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