Older microscope, light source question

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HobbyMekanik
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Joined: Thu Sep 16, 2021 5:37 pm

Older microscope, light source question

#1 Post by HobbyMekanik » Thu Sep 16, 2021 6:38 pm

Hi all!
Newbie here!
I just bought my first microscope. An older microscope that I can’t find any information on.

It came without light source. I have tried with a small flashlight but the image in the oculars is rather dark. Seems I need a more powerful light source.

The only other picture I have found of another identical microscope with a light source show some kind of holder. Is it a bulb in the holder and inserted into the light source holder on the microscope? What kind of bulb, how many watts etc.

Any input would be apreciated!

Thanks!
Attachments
Picture from internet
Picture from internet
D619DC3B-E418-4493-8F93-6581AEE9343D.jpeg (186.26 KiB) Viewed 2998 times
The light source holder on my microscope
The light source holder on my microscope
D5C78B30-BEA0-4483-9A43-4350747434D3.jpeg (161.13 KiB) Viewed 2998 times
The microscope in all
The microscope in all
01563269-E40C-4F5E-B45B-61B1A9912B97.jpeg (227.61 KiB) Viewed 2998 times

dtsh
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Location: Wisconsin

Re: Older microscope, light source question

#2 Post by dtsh » Thu Sep 16, 2021 6:53 pm

It was probably something in the 12-18w range initially. If you can follow a schematic and do basic electronics, I would consider putting an LED in there, 3-4w of LED would probably serve quite well. I would get something with a dimming circuit unless it has a neutral density filter that can swing in as even a few watts of LED can be harsh on the eye at times.

MicroBob
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Location: Northern Germany

Re: Older microscope, light source question

#3 Post by MicroBob » Thu Sep 16, 2021 7:02 pm

Hi and welcome to the forum!
This is the most basic electric light and probably used a fridge or kitchen oven lamp, 220V 10W I think. You could simply use the lamp I showed in the other thread or build a dimmable LED into this lamp.
Will (today Hund) is a second row microscope maker in Wetzlar, where Leitz microscopes were made. They are known to provide good service even for amateurs.

Bob

HobbyMekanik
Posts: 7
Joined: Thu Sep 16, 2021 5:37 pm

Re: Older microscope, light source question

#4 Post by HobbyMekanik » Thu Sep 16, 2021 7:31 pm

dtsh wrote:
Thu Sep 16, 2021 6:53 pm
It was probably something in the 12-18w range initially. If you can follow a schematic and do basic electronics, I would consider putting an LED in there, 3-4w of LED would probably serve quite well. I would get something with a dimming circuit unless it has a neutral density filter that can swing in as even a few watts of LED can be harsh on the eye at times.
A led would be nice. But unfortunatley electronics is not my cup of tea… 😬
Thanks!

HobbyMekanik
Posts: 7
Joined: Thu Sep 16, 2021 5:37 pm

Re: Older microscope, light source question

#5 Post by HobbyMekanik » Thu Sep 16, 2021 7:33 pm

MicroBob wrote:
Thu Sep 16, 2021 7:02 pm
Hi and welcome to the forum!
This is the most basic electric light and probably used a fridge or kitchen oven lamp, 220V 10W I think. You could simply use the lamp I showed in the other thread or build a dimmable LED into this lamp.
Will (today Hund) is a second row microscope maker in Wetzlar, where Leitz microscopes were made. They are known to provide good service even for amateurs.

Bob
Thanks!
In what thread did you show a lamp that could fit this microscope? EDIT: searched and found the post!

Nice that Will lives on today as Hund! Thanks for the info 🙏🏻

HobbyMekanik
Posts: 7
Joined: Thu Sep 16, 2021 5:37 pm

Re: Older microscope, light source question

#6 Post by HobbyMekanik » Thu Sep 16, 2021 8:22 pm

Maybe this could be an alternative?
https://m.de.aliexpress.com/item/330432 ... 16c9c8efaa

smollerthings
Posts: 457
Joined: Thu Aug 19, 2021 12:10 pm

Re: Older microscope, light source question

#7 Post by smollerthings » Thu Sep 16, 2021 9:07 pm

HobbyMekanik wrote:
Thu Sep 16, 2021 8:22 pm
Maybe this could be an alternative?
https://m.de.aliexpress.com/item/330432 ... 16c9c8efaa
I have a microscope with a mirror as light source. What would be the advantage of this vs the mirror? Thanks!

HobbyMekanik
Posts: 7
Joined: Thu Sep 16, 2021 5:37 pm

Re: Older microscope, light source question

#8 Post by HobbyMekanik » Mon Sep 20, 2021 10:24 am

46A25EC6-63CF-41C2-8019-364D4BEA6A52.jpeg
46A25EC6-63CF-41C2-8019-364D4BEA6A52.jpeg (237.85 KiB) Viewed 2874 times
This light source works great. I’m gonna mill a holder for it in aluminim so it is secure and even a little tiltable.

BramHuntingNematodes
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Location: Georgia, USA

Re: Older microscope, light source question

#9 Post by BramHuntingNematodes » Mon Sep 20, 2021 1:19 pm

smollerthings wrote:
Thu Sep 16, 2021 9:07 pm
HobbyMekanik wrote:
Thu Sep 16, 2021 8:22 pm
Maybe this could be an alternative?
https://m.de.aliexpress.com/item/330432 ... 16c9c8efaa
I have a microscope with a mirror as light source. What would be the advantage of this vs the mirror? Thanks!
A mirror is good as you can have a big, hot light some distance from your scope and not directly below the sample the only disadvantage is having to move around the mirror and lamp until you get a focused, centered light. If you have ever worked to adjust this finely only to trip on a cord moments later wrecking the setup then you have had at least a momentary yearning for built in illumination.
1942 Bausch and Lomb Series T Dynoptic, Custom Illumination

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75RR
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Location: Estepona, Spain

Re: Older microscope, light source question

#10 Post by 75RR » Mon Sep 20, 2021 2:09 pm

.
A mirror when used with an external lamp as shown below will give you Köhler
.
Attachments
Lamp-.jpg
Lamp-.jpg (54.25 KiB) Viewed 2847 times
Zeiss Standard WL (somewhat fashion challenged) & Wild M8
Olympus E-P2 (Micro Four Thirds Camera)

MicroBob
Posts: 3154
Joined: Sun Dec 25, 2016 9:11 am
Location: Northern Germany

Re: Older microscope, light source question

#11 Post by MicroBob » Mon Sep 20, 2021 6:46 pm

In the foot of 75RRs Köhler lamp there is a gap. At this place a T-shaped aluminium connecting rod can be installed that connects this lamp to a Zeiss Jena LG. This gives a fairly stable setup of the light path. One disadvantage of mirror illumination is that the open side of the microscope faces away from the user.

Dubious
Posts: 426
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Re: Older microscope, light source question

#12 Post by Dubious » Mon Sep 20, 2021 7:13 pm

BramHuntingNematodes wrote:
Mon Sep 20, 2021 1:19 pm
smollerthings wrote:
Thu Sep 16, 2021 9:07 pm
HobbyMekanik wrote:
Thu Sep 16, 2021 8:22 pm
Maybe this could be an alternative?
https://m.de.aliexpress.com/item/330432 ... 16c9c8efaa
I have a microscope with a mirror as light source. What would be the advantage of this vs the mirror? Thanks!
A mirror is good as you can have a big, hot light some distance from your scope and not directly below the sample the only disadvantage is having to move around the mirror and lamp until you get a focused, centered light. If you have ever worked to adjust this finely only to trip on a cord moments later wrecking the setup then you have had at least a momentary yearning for built in illumination.
Essentially, that's what finite scopes evolved to provide in one package--a hot light source attached to the rear of the microscope with a mirror at the front to direct the light up through the field diaphragm. Of course, it makes for a large "footprint," but that also provides advantages. Some compromises, but hard to improve on the design--at least until LEDs came along...

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