What is this system for?

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smollerthings
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What is this system for?

#1 Post by smollerthings » Mon Sep 20, 2021 7:31 am

Is it an equipment for fluorescent microscopy? Thanks!
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Hobbyst46
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Re: What is this system for?

#2 Post by Hobbyst46 » Mon Sep 20, 2021 7:42 am

Yes, for incident light (epi-illumination), including fluorescence in principle. For fluorescence, usually a very bright lamp is required - a high pressure mercury or xenon bulb. They come with a dedicated power supply that has an ignition pushbutton and an hour counter. But high-wattage halogen can yield some fluorescence also.

smollerthings
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Re: What is this system for?

#3 Post by smollerthings » Mon Sep 20, 2021 8:31 am

Interesting, this microscope is being sold for 250 euros, comes with PL 4x, 10x, 40x, is epi illumination of interest for amateurs? couldn't find a ton of info on them.

I don't even know why I am browsing, I am happy with my microscope lol I guess I caught the disease!

EDIT:
is epi illumination of interest for amateurs?
i meant epi illumination without fluorescence because I guess it is a bit complicated/dangerous to prepare those yourself

Hobbyst46
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Re: What is this system for?

#4 Post by Hobbyst46 » Mon Sep 20, 2021 9:58 am

In general, epi-illumination as accessory expands both the range of specimens that can be studied (for example, opaque in addition to transparent) and the illumination modes (for example, reflected image in addition to transmitted), and is a very valuable accessory for the microscopist. About fluorescence - not dangerous if you know what you are doing. The one in the photo may well be just a halogen lamp. But, if of interest, I would first inquire about the microscope itself: brand, mechanical condition, optical condition, specs...

Scarodactyl
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Re: What is this system for?

#5 Post by Scarodactyl » Mon Sep 20, 2021 4:33 pm

That looks more like a normal halogen illuminator--usually fluorescence lamps don't have any holes where light can leak out for obvious reasons.

Greg Howald
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Re: What is this system for?

#6 Post by Greg Howald » Tue Sep 21, 2021 11:01 am

It looks a great deal like a metallurgical scope. It may have a lever for moving an analyzer in and out of the light path for polarization. I have an Amscope ME 580 metallurgical with long range objectives. Its also great for minerals. Epi lighting would be about a 30 watt halogen and base lighting would be less, around 20 watt.
Greg

Greg Howald
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Re: What is this system for?

#7 Post by Greg Howald » Tue Sep 21, 2021 11:08 am

If a metallurgical scope, there should be two iris diaphragms in the black epi tube. One is a field diaphragm. There should be a polarizer or a slot for a removeable polarizer. There should not be any clips or slide holders on the mechanical stage. The hole in the stage should be large.
Greg

Greg Howald
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Re: What is this system for?

#8 Post by Greg Howald » Tue Sep 21, 2021 11:15 am

That scope is an Amscope ME 300 Metallurgical microscope. It is a fine scope. On their web site you can download a user's manual.
If You have any trouble with it I should be able to be helpful.
Greg

smollerthings
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Re: What is this system for?

#9 Post by smollerthings » Tue Sep 21, 2021 11:49 am

Thanks for all the info. I was just browsing some websites and came across this system. Would this system be a generally well rounded scope for other uses than metallurgy? Is the epi lighting the only difference compared to a "convential" microscope? It is being sold at 250 euros, has 3 plan objectives.

Greg Howald
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Re: What is this system for?

#10 Post by Greg Howald » Tue Sep 21, 2021 12:55 pm

It can be used for other purposes. It usually comes with both standard and long distance objectives. It has three objectives but will hold four. Price new is about $800.00 bare bones. 250 euro is a steal. Other condensers can be mounted but the condenser that comes with The scope will probably not have a swing out filter holder.
Greg

apochronaut
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Re: What is this system for?

#11 Post by apochronaut » Tue Sep 21, 2021 1:43 pm

I wonder if the poster is asking whether the microscope can be used with glass slides as a transmitted ( diascopic) microscope. It has no condenser, nor an illumination source in the base that I can see. It would strictly be an epi illuminated scope without considerable modification, even with a change in objectives.

smollerthings
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Re: What is this system for?

#12 Post by smollerthings » Tue Sep 21, 2021 1:56 pm

Interesting, I missed there was no condenser...

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