Anyone know of a Darkfield Condenser that is compatible with the Swift sw380b orsw 380t

[HIPPOPOTAMUS-RISING]

Hey there, I just purchased my first ever microscope and was hoping to find a compatible darkfield condenser.

ive seen mentions on other threads of folks successfully achieving this as well as comments on amazon but official support from swift says its not possible and I can't seem to figure out how to go about figuring out what's compatible and what's not.

Does anyone here that has more experience than I possibly have a solution?

[LouiseScot]

Hey there, I just purchased my first ever microscope and was hoping to find a compatible darkfield condenser.

ive seen mentions on other threads of folks successfully achieving this as well as comments on amazon but official support from swift says its not possible and I can't seem to figure out how to go about figuring out what's compatible and what's not.

Does anyone here that has more experience than I possibly have a solution?

Hi

There is no directly compatible df condenser on account of the helical condenser holder used by Swift. I did manage to do a modification on mine which allowed fitting an AmScope dry df condenser. But you need to be able to 3D print a suitable holder. It's not perfect, but is usable viewtopic.php?p=99091#p99091

Louise

[Dubious]

You should also be able to get acceptable darkfield, at least for 10x and 20x, by using darkfield stops in the 32mm filter holder that swings out right under the iris diaphragm. Available on Ebay at around $15:

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R ... &_osacat=0

Buy the expanded set at $20 and you can also play around with oblique lighting.

[HIPPOPOTAMUS-RISING]

Hey there, I just purchased my first ever microscope and was hoping to find a compatible darkfield condenser.

ive seen mentions on other threads of folks successfully achieving this as well as comments on amazon but official support from swift says its not possible and I can't seem to figure out how to go about figuring out what's compatible and what's not.

Does anyone here that has more experience than I possibly have a solution?

Hi

There is no directly compatible df condenser on account of the helical condenser holder used by Swift. I did manage to do a modification on mine which allowed fitting an AmScope dry df condenser. But you need to be able to 3D print a suitable holder. It's not perfect, but is usable viewtopic.php?p=99091#p99091


Louise

Do you have a copy of the 3D printer file I could have?

[LouiseScot]

Hey there, I just purchased my first ever microscope and was hoping to find a compatible darkfield condenser.

ive seen mentions on other threads of folks successfully achieving this as well as comments on amazon but official support from swift says its not possible and I can't seem to figure out how to go about figuring out what's compatible and what's not.

Does anyone here that has more experience than I possibly have a solution?

Hi

There is no directly compatible df condenser on account of the helical condenser holder used by Swift. I did manage to do a modification on mine which allowed fitting an AmScope dry df condenser. But you need to be able to 3D print a suitable holder. It's not perfect, but is usable viewtopic.php?p=99091#p99091


Louise

Do you have a copy of the 3D printer file I could have?

It's very basic - just a 'proof of concept' really https://www.dropbox.com/s/9sv35hyo6djwi ... 4.stl?dl=0
I'm sure it could be improved with a bit of thought.

Louise

[apochronaut]

What is the o.d. of the inside moving portion of that condenser mechanism?

[LouiseScot]

What is the o.d. of the inside moving portion of that condenser mechanism?

Hi

Do you mean the diameter of the Swift condenser per se? It's the common 37mm cheap, Abbe size. Same as one of these: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/323161426652

Louise

[apochronaut]

What is the o.d. of the inside moving portion of that condenser mechanism?

Hi

Do you mean the diameter of the Swift condenser per se? It's the common 37mm cheap, Abbe size. Same as one of these: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/323161426652

Louise

So just a basic 37mm condenser with a pin or screw in it so it can move up and down along a spiral groove in a sleeve? Something like that?

[LouiseScot]

What is the o.d. of the inside moving portion of that condenser mechanism?

Hi

Do you mean the diameter of the Swift condenser per se? It's the common 37mm cheap, Abbe size. Same as one of these: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/323161426652

Louise

So just a basic 37mm condenser with a pin or screw in it so it can move up and down along a spiral groove in a sleeve? Something like that?

Yes, pretty much. The condenser fits into Swift's holder which functions as a helical focuser. Without that there isn't a mechanism for raising/lowering the condenser other than loosening the screws and moving it into position manually. Plus you can only do that if you first unscrew and remove the illuminator.

Louise

[apochronaut]

I haven't seen the mechanism but from what I envision, it seems that an old oil DF condenser with a 37mm sleeve diameter altered to take some sort of guidepin should work, should it not?

[LouiseScot]

I haven't seen the mechanism but from what I envision, it seems that an old oil DF condenser with a 37mm sleeve diameter altered to take some sort of guidepin should work, should it not?

I can't remember exactly why but there was a reason I couldn't when I tried before viewtopic.php?p=98274#p98274
One can always just use a dark stop at lower mags https://youtu.be/UgT52XoQGQQ?t=121

Louise

[MichaelG.]

Interesting to see the adjustment mechanism in operation here:
https://youtu.be/UgT52XoQGQQ
… at circa 1min 45sec
Don’t blink or you will miss it.

MichaelG.
.

Crop from video

45227A43-AF4A-468D-AF2C-08D389CF6E06.jpeg (59.49 KiB) Viewed 3719 times

[HIPPOPOTAMUS-RISING]

Do you know if there is an alternate scope that is the same quality and price point that would support a DF Condenser out of the box?

[zzffnn]

If you are handy, you can DIY fit darkfield condenser with sleeve adapter, Lego and super glue.

http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/u ... 0610_1.jpg

https://www.photomacrography.net/forum/ ... hp?t=36561


Alternatively, for $150, you can buy a darkfield condenser with customized sleeve diameter: https://www.ebay.com/itm/113916961176?_ ... BM9q6H-8Bf

I don't know how good that custom darkfield condenser is though, as I haven't tried it myself.

AO American Optical Spencer used to offer some darkfield condenser fitted microphones, but it is not easy to find scopes already fitted with darkfield condenser.

Apochronaut can tell you which AO darkfield condensers fit which of their scopes (there may be incompatibility). I cannot remember.

[Dubious]

Check Amscope's website. It offers package deals--microscope + darkfield condenser--for many of its scopes.

[apochronaut]

There seems to be a lot of interest in DF condensers, which is good but there are few DF condensers that can be used for a broad range of magnifications. Most are also designed to fit only certain instruments.
Optically, any DF condenser will work on any microscope. Where compatability problems arise are in the dimensions, differences in the dovetail , sleeve or the height.

From the time that DF condensers first existed up into the 1970's, many manufacturers provided accessories, so that a single condenser could be used on various microscope models with varying substage heights, mounts etc. Sometimes these older convertible condensers can be adapted to a modern instrument made by a different mfg.

The most commonly available one in N.A. is the Spencer cardioid , which exists as a condenser only and a self illuminated model, a common instrument in doctor's offices, probably labs too into the 70's. The self illuminated feature can be removed if it is not needed. Since they were designed to be used on a range of instruments the condenser optical section is on a fine adjusting helical screw, which gives about a 10mm increase in height. A further height increase could be attained with a threaded extension, which would have to be custom made if required.
Spencer instruments going back prior to the 1920's and later student grade instruments used a sleeve mount for the condenser. After the early 20's , the lab and research instruments used a dovetail yoke. The DF condensers were built with a 1 13/32" sleeve type mount or approx. 36mm. but most had a dovetail ring fitted around that with one set screw. The dovetail comes off in 5 seconds to reveal the 36mm collar.

Those condensers show up on ebay fairly frequently. I saw one a few weeks ago for 39.00. Should be a good possibility as a 40-60X objective capable condenser to complement 20X and lower patch stops on a modest Chinese instrument. It can be used with a 100X objective too but that demands objective N.A. control via funnel stop or iris, while requiring higher illumination, something the self illuminated feature can assist with. They will take a two contact bayonet type car type led bulb in the socket.