Parfocal shims

What equipment do you use? Post pictures and descriptions of your microscope(s) here!
Post Reply
Message
Author
AntoniScott
Posts: 108
Joined: Tue Dec 24, 2019 3:54 pm

Parfocal shims

#1 Post by AntoniScott » Mon Apr 05, 2021 12:28 pm

Does anyone know where you can get parfocal shims ? I tried to make them with paper. It works but looks crude.

User avatar
Microworld Steve
Posts: 136
Joined: Fri Sep 25, 2015 5:34 pm
Location: Western Kentucky

Re: Parfocal shims

#2 Post by Microworld Steve » Mon Apr 05, 2021 4:38 pm

If I can't see it with my microscope, it ain't worth looking at. :D

User avatar
75RR
Posts: 8207
Joined: Sun Oct 12, 2014 2:34 am
Location: Estepona, Spain

Re: Parfocal shims

#3 Post by 75RR » Wed Apr 21, 2021 7:28 am

.
Anyone know of a European supplier for objective shims?

Link above may charge European buyers in Euros but the company is in Philadelphia USA
Zeiss Standard WL (somewhat fashion challenged) & Wild M8
Olympus E-P2 (Micro Four Thirds Camera)

apochronaut
Posts: 6268
Joined: Fri May 15, 2015 12:15 am

Re: Parfocal shims

#4 Post by apochronaut » Wed Apr 21, 2021 11:34 am

I'll bet most estabished microscope dealers have some. Dealers that have been around a while, like a former Leitz, Reichert or Jena dealer. They are so little used anymore that they get forgotten about and languish in pill bottles or drawers with the random ball bearings. You might have to find a 1980's phone book too, to find the dealers.
I have some of certain sizes : 5 different ones; 3 thin and 2 thicker or something like that. They would go in an envelope easily, so shipping to Europe would not be a problem. If you know what thickness(es) you need, I can check and see if I can build up those or have singles. Easy to do with the focus micrometer.

User avatar
75RR
Posts: 8207
Joined: Sun Oct 12, 2014 2:34 am
Location: Estepona, Spain

Re: Parfocal shims

#5 Post by 75RR » Wed Apr 21, 2021 1:22 pm

Thanks apochronaut, was just trying to keep things like postage and customs simple.

Have dropped the UK as an ebay shopping area - have heard lots of horror stories in terms of postage and tax!

Will contact some EU dealers and see what they have.
Last edited by 75RR on Wed Apr 21, 2021 8:10 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Zeiss Standard WL (somewhat fashion challenged) & Wild M8
Olympus E-P2 (Micro Four Thirds Camera)

Scarodactyl
Posts: 2775
Joined: Sat Mar 03, 2018 9:09 pm

Re: Parfocal shims

#6 Post by Scarodactyl » Wed Apr 21, 2021 2:14 pm

At one point I needed some and found some brass shims with the appropriate inner diameter on some hardware outlet or other, maybe McMaster. It is worth checking.

User avatar
75RR
Posts: 8207
Joined: Sun Oct 12, 2014 2:34 am
Location: Estepona, Spain

Re: Parfocal shims

#7 Post by 75RR » Wed Apr 21, 2021 2:17 pm

Thanks for the tip!
Zeiss Standard WL (somewhat fashion challenged) & Wild M8
Olympus E-P2 (Micro Four Thirds Camera)

User avatar
IanW
Posts: 289
Joined: Sat Mar 07, 2015 2:58 pm
Location: Lancashire England

Re: Parfocal shims

#8 Post by IanW » Sun Apr 25, 2021 6:11 am

I have a spare one for Zeiss.

75RR... Uk post is far cheaper than the extortionate USPS costs. In UK we have yo pay import chatges on top from US.
Zeiss Jena NF, Zeiss Standard 18 and WL

User avatar
75RR
Posts: 8207
Joined: Sun Oct 12, 2014 2:34 am
Location: Estepona, Spain

Re: Parfocal shims

#9 Post by 75RR » Sun Apr 25, 2021 7:48 am

.
Thanks IanW, I decided to go with the US option after all (combining it with a parcel that is coming over)

As to import taxes, same in Spain for outside EU, plus they then charge one for shipping it from Customs!
Zeiss Standard WL (somewhat fashion challenged) & Wild M8
Olympus E-P2 (Micro Four Thirds Camera)

User avatar
IanW
Posts: 289
Joined: Sat Mar 07, 2015 2:58 pm
Location: Lancashire England

Re: Parfocal shims

#10 Post by IanW » Sun Apr 25, 2021 8:30 pm

Glad to hear all is sorted. I wish that Europe and the US could come to a sensible free trade deal. I live in hope:-)
Zeiss Jena NF, Zeiss Standard 18 and WL

Post Reply