Condenser Confusion
Posted: Thu May 26, 2022 11:15 am
I've been looking at various microscopes with condensers and have studied how to set up the microscope with condensers. This is where the confusion starts.
First, many scopes that have condensers do not contain a "field" diaphragm, so how do you adjust lighting to get the edges of the non-existent field diaphragm "sharp?" Is there a different procedure for these microscopes?
Second, some of the condensers do not have height adjustment. I must assume that these scopes have been set up at some compromised point that make lighting reasonably good for all objective settings.
Third, on many condensers that I have looked at, there is a filter carrier at the base of the condenser. However, on some of these units, there is a lens in the carrier that can be swung out of the way. Why the lens?
Fourth, I have a condenser on one of my field scopes that has a filter carrier. Above the carrier is a frosted glass filter glued to the condenser. On one setup procedure that I read, it said to "remove any frosted glass filters" before trying adjustment and also to swing the lens out of the way if it had one in the carrier, which mine does not.
Needless to say I am slightly confused about the lighting setups presented. I do realize that on the more expensive scopes, with all the bells and whistles, this isn't a problem, but what about lighting setup for the student/amateur scopes for optimum viewing. Any comments will be appreciated. Thanks in advance, and also, if this is a totally dumb group of questions, feel free to say so; I'm not thin-skinned!
First, many scopes that have condensers do not contain a "field" diaphragm, so how do you adjust lighting to get the edges of the non-existent field diaphragm "sharp?" Is there a different procedure for these microscopes?
Second, some of the condensers do not have height adjustment. I must assume that these scopes have been set up at some compromised point that make lighting reasonably good for all objective settings.
Third, on many condensers that I have looked at, there is a filter carrier at the base of the condenser. However, on some of these units, there is a lens in the carrier that can be swung out of the way. Why the lens?
Fourth, I have a condenser on one of my field scopes that has a filter carrier. Above the carrier is a frosted glass filter glued to the condenser. On one setup procedure that I read, it said to "remove any frosted glass filters" before trying adjustment and also to swing the lens out of the way if it had one in the carrier, which mine does not.
Needless to say I am slightly confused about the lighting setups presented. I do realize that on the more expensive scopes, with all the bells and whistles, this isn't a problem, but what about lighting setup for the student/amateur scopes for optimum viewing. Any comments will be appreciated. Thanks in advance, and also, if this is a totally dumb group of questions, feel free to say so; I'm not thin-skinned!