Zeiss L + Epignost, year 1920

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ker2x
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Joined: Sun Dec 26, 2021 7:21 pm

Zeiss L + Epignost, year 1920

#1 Post by ker2x » Tue Mar 15, 2022 1:40 pm

I just received it.
According to the serial number, it's from 1920.
According to the manual, it's a series L.
There is a "Sorice" stamp on the manual

All oil/grease are 100% frozen/stuck.

Some assembly required.
But as long as the epignost isn't broken I'm happy :)

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ker2x
Posts: 93
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Re: Zeiss L + Epignost, year 1920

#2 Post by ker2x » Tue Mar 15, 2022 2:11 pm

the mystery box was an orange filter, not radioactive.

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MicroBob
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Re: Zeiss L + Epignost, year 1920

#3 Post by MicroBob » Tue Mar 15, 2022 4:18 pm

Congratulations, a very nice and fairly rare Instrument! It looks nearly like the much much more common LG but has the research instument type detatchable stage. It looks as if you also have the epi attatchment, this would be valuable as it is the main advantage over the LG and justifies to claim more storage space for the instrument. :lol:
I don't this it is from 1920 though - do you have a confirmation that it is that old? I would have placed it in the mid to late 30s like the LG but have no confirmation for this.

You can find the manual here: https://www.mikroskop-online.de/Mikrosk ... roskop.pdf

The condensers of this line expects the field aperture ca. 25cm away. There was a low voltage Köhler-lamp and a T-shaped attatchment to hold it at distance.

Bob

ker2x
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Re: Zeiss L + Epignost, year 1920

#4 Post by ker2x » Tue Mar 15, 2022 6:16 pm

MicroBob wrote:
Tue Mar 15, 2022 4:18 pm
Congratulations, a very nice and fairly rare Instrument! It looks nearly like the much much more common LG but has the research instument type detatchable stage. It looks as if you also have the epi attatchment, this would be valuable as it is the main advantage over the LG and justifies to claim more storage space for the instrument. :lol:
I don't this it is from 1920 though - do you have a confirmation that it is that old? I would have placed it in the mid to late 30s like the LG but have no confirmation for this.

You can find the manual here: https://www.mikroskop-online.de/Mikrosk ... roskop.pdf

The condensers of this line expects the field aperture ca. 25cm away. There was a low voltage Köhler-lamp and a T-shaped attatchment to hold it at distance.

Bob
Yes, it's an epiillumination head.
The microscope is from 1920 according to serial number. (I was surprised to see a black enamel this old, but I triple checked)

The epi head may be more recent but I can't tell, I didn't find any serial on it.

apochronaut
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Re: Zeiss L + Epignost, year 1920

#5 Post by apochronaut » Tue Mar 15, 2022 10:11 pm

Where is the serial # and on what?

ker2x
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Re: Zeiss L + Epignost, year 1920

#6 Post by ker2x » Tue Mar 15, 2022 10:36 pm

There are 2 different serial number.
- one on the stage, hand written, you have to disassemble it
- one on the turret next to the brand

I almost fully disassembled it to repair the micrometer

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apochronaut
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Re: Zeiss L + Epignost, year 1920

#7 Post by apochronaut » Tue Mar 15, 2022 11:00 pm

This comes from my experience with many other brands but I do not know exactly Zeiss practice. In most cases, the serial # of a microscope, usually known as a microscope stand , is placed somewhere on the stand itself. Numbers that appear on accesories such as a stage or other removable part are numbers for that part. Sequential logs of numbers normally do not include all serial numbers, just those of the type of part being referenced. Stands would be sequenced separately from other parts for instance and a serial # for a stage as an example, would not necessarly fit chronologically in any other numbered sequence of other parts or stands.

ker2x
Posts: 93
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Re: Zeiss L + Epignost, year 1920

#8 Post by ker2x » Wed Mar 16, 2022 11:24 am

I received (tiny) 1L ultrasonic cleaner. it works like magic to remove old oil/grease.
Will post cleaned pic once done :)

Phill Brown
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Re: Zeiss L + Epignost, year 1920

#9 Post by Phill Brown » Wed Mar 16, 2022 12:14 pm

Congratulations on your choice of a new Zeiss microscope.
There are no user serviceable parts inside but some basic care in use is essential.
Do not submerge in solvents or leave in the back of a dark cupboard next to the sandwich toaster for decades.

ker2x
Posts: 93
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Re: Zeiss L + Epignost, year 1920

#10 Post by ker2x » Wed Mar 16, 2022 2:33 pm

Rebuilt
(temporary light, I need to check the PSU before plugging the real lighthouse)

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MicroBob
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Re: Zeiss L + Epignost, year 1920

#11 Post by MicroBob » Wed Mar 16, 2022 7:27 pm

Hi,
nice to see you have it up and running!
I have an LG and the serial number is on the side of the focus block. In the linked Zeiss Jena document the serial number is at the same place.
My Zeiss "Großes Forschungsmikroskop" was made in 1911. I would think that your Lu is quite a big step ahead in development and manufacturing technology.
Perhaps the number on the turret is an inventary number of the owner?

The Lu is quite a nice and universal instrument, no reason not to use it on a daily basis today. There was a small range on (non plan) apochromats and Zeiss also made a few nice water immersion objectives, easier to find as a russian copy today.
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ker2x
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Re: Zeiss L + Epignost, year 1920

#12 Post by ker2x » Wed Mar 16, 2022 8:10 pm

First picture, let there be light <3

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MicroBob
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Re: Zeiss L + Epignost, year 1920

#13 Post by MicroBob » Wed Mar 16, 2022 8:12 pm

Epi illuminated photo of what? Very nice!

ker2x
Posts: 93
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Re: Zeiss L + Epignost, year 1920

#14 Post by ker2x » Thu Mar 17, 2022 1:03 am

MicroBob wrote:
Wed Mar 16, 2022 8:12 pm
Epi illuminated photo of what? Very nice!
oops sorry, I forgot to write it. I just took the first metal I found on my desk : the handle of a scalpel :D
it's not supposed to be orange however

ker2x
Posts: 93
Joined: Sun Dec 26, 2021 7:21 pm

Re: Zeiss L + Epignost, year 1920

#15 Post by ker2x » Thu Mar 17, 2022 2:10 am

I think I'll pass and work on a LED retrofit instead

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