Possibly the most affordable midlife crisis I could have :)

What is your microscopy history? What are your interests? What equipment do you use?
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littlejackal
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Possibly the most affordable midlife crisis I could have :)

#1 Post by littlejackal » Thu Aug 05, 2021 3:24 pm

I managed to avoid buying a Porsche or a boat and settled on something I remembered really enjoying at school in my teens. I've been more and more interested in microscopy over the past few years and finally decided to take the plunge into the hobby. My setup is pretty humble but should last me for the forseeable future. I was given a Leica Galen III by a colleague at a university for figuratively next to nothing, but at the same time also happened to win an auction on an Olympus CH2. I think between the two I should be fairly happy as a beginner. The CH2 probably has a little more latitude to let me find aftermarket bits such as a trinocular head which I'd love to source at some point when I've become more comfortable with the basic equipment. That said, I mean it wouldn't be a midlife crisis if there wasn't SOME unnecessary spending of money, right? ;)

Anyway, really excited to start digging into the hobby and bouncing questions and ideas off of the community here. Big love to Oliver for the amazing content which hooked me and gave me a decent let-up on the fundamentals :)

Cheers!

Scarodactyl
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Re: Possibly the most affordable midlife crisis I could have :)

#2 Post by Scarodactyl » Thu Aug 05, 2021 3:39 pm

Nice pair. The Leica Galen was made in China and probably patterened off the ch2 so it might be fun to see if there is some parts compatibility.

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75RR
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Re: Possibly the most affordable midlife crisis I could have :)

#3 Post by 75RR » Thu Aug 05, 2021 5:07 pm

littlejackal wrote:
Thu Aug 05, 2021 3:24 pm
I was given a Leica Galen III by a colleague at a university for figuratively next to nothing, but at the same time also happened to win an auction on an Olympus CH2.
Given how little you have spent I think you should still go for the Porsche ;)
Zeiss Standard WL (somewhat fashion challenged) & Wild M8
Olympus E-P2 (Micro Four Thirds Camera)

Dubious
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Re: Possibly the most affordable midlife crisis I could have :)

#4 Post by Dubious » Thu Aug 05, 2021 5:54 pm

No reason you can't have both. And if the Porsche doesn't cost enough, remember DIC :D

littlejackal
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Re: Possibly the most affordable midlife crisis I could have :)

#5 Post by littlejackal » Thu Aug 05, 2021 7:06 pm

The most stylish way to go out to the field for samples.

Can't wait 8-)

Greg Howald
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Re: Possibly the most affordable midlife crisis I could have :)

#6 Post by Greg Howald » Thu Aug 05, 2021 10:47 pm

Make certain to keep those two scopes as far away from one another as possible or you'll turn around twice and have 20 of them.😆 Strange things happen at night.
good choices.
Greg

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Re: Possibly the most affordable midlife crisis I could have :)

#7 Post by carlh6902 » Fri Aug 06, 2021 12:39 am

--- If you're in the Kansas City area and you need help with an Olympus BH-2 scope, PM me. I love to work on these things ---

littlejackal
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Re: Possibly the most affordable midlife crisis I could have :)

#8 Post by littlejackal » Fri Aug 06, 2021 1:23 pm

carlh6902 wrote:
Fri Aug 06, 2021 12:39 am
Here is my midlife crisis:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OI2tf5 ... p=drivesdk

Carl
Wonderful writeup! I hope to have the same experience! Also, no wonder the rest of us have trouble finding BH-2's :lol:
Greg Howald wrote:
Thu Aug 05, 2021 10:47 pm
Make certain to keep those two scopes as far away from one another as possible or you'll turn around twice and have 20 of them.😆 Strange things happen at night.
good choices.
Greg
I would be lying if I wasn't already looking other scopes I want just because. I have it in the back of my head to buy a nice west German Zeiss just because they have this incredibly stark, brutalist but also sleek appearance of a big menacing industrial contraption! For sure I don't need a third scope, but am 100% sure one is in my future :)

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75RR
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Re: Possibly the most affordable midlife crisis I could have :)

#9 Post by 75RR » Fri Aug 06, 2021 2:18 pm

littlejackal wrote:
Fri Aug 06, 2021 1:23 pm
I would be lying if I wasn't already looking other scopes I want just because. I have it in the back of my head to buy a nice west German Zeiss just because they have this incredibly stark, brutalist but also sleek appearance of a big menacing industrial contraption! For sure I don't need a third scope, but am 100% sure one is in my future :)
Have a look at this beauty

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQW5ttGJxpM
Zeiss Standard WL (somewhat fashion challenged) & Wild M8
Olympus E-P2 (Micro Four Thirds Camera)

littlejackal
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Re: Possibly the most affordable midlife crisis I could have :)

#10 Post by littlejackal » Fri Aug 06, 2021 2:45 pm

75RR wrote:
Fri Aug 06, 2021 2:18 pm
Have a look at this beauty

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQW5ttGJxpM
At this rate I might have to change the title of this thread :B

That is GORGEOUS and immediately forced an eBay tab open. Thankfully nothing IMMEDIATELY available, but definitely looking ;)

I really like this kind of approach:

http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/art ... iss-WL.pdf

Seems like the kind of microscope I can spend a year or two putting together while I have others to actually use.

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Wes
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Re: Possibly the most affordable midlife crisis I could have :)

#11 Post by Wes » Fri Aug 06, 2021 3:20 pm

littlejackal wrote:
Fri Aug 06, 2021 2:45 pm
75RR wrote:
Fri Aug 06, 2021 2:18 pm
Have a look at this beauty

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQW5ttGJxpM
At this rate I might have to change the title of this thread :B

That is GORGEOUS and immediately forced an eBay tab open. Thankfully nothing IMMEDIATELY available, but definitely looking ;)

I really like this kind of approach:

http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/art ... iss-WL.pdf

Seems like the kind of microscope I can spend a year or two putting together while I have others to actually use.
75RR wrote:
Fri Aug 06, 2021 2:18 pm
littlejackal wrote:
Fri Aug 06, 2021 1:23 pm
I would be lying if I wasn't already looking other scopes I want just because. I have it in the back of my head to buy a nice west German Zeiss just because they have this incredibly stark, brutalist but also sleek appearance of a big menacing industrial contraption! For sure I don't need a third scope, but am 100% sure one is in my future :)
Have a look at this beauty

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQW5ttGJxpM
He sold that microscope 1-2 years ago on ebay. The video definitely makes a compelling case for the aesthetic as well as technical appeal.

Personally I consider the WL as the best one can get from the Zeiss West line of scopes.
Zeiss Photomicroscope III BF/DF/Pol/Ph/DIC/FL/Jamin-Lebedeff
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Re: Possibly the most affordable midlife crisis I could have :)

#12 Post by BramHuntingNematodes » Fri Aug 06, 2021 3:32 pm

If you like that stark hunk of machinery look there have been a few well-accoutered Zetopan microscopes I have seen sell here and there for less than $500. You might keep your eye out.
1942 Bausch and Lomb Series T Dynoptic, Custom Illumination

littlejackal
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Re: Possibly the most affordable midlife crisis I could have :)

#13 Post by littlejackal » Fri Aug 06, 2021 4:32 pm

Zetopans do, indeed, tick that box for me! Looks like there's a lot of collecting in my future :)

littlejackal
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Re: Possibly the most affordable midlife crisis I could have :)

#14 Post by littlejackal » Wed Aug 11, 2021 3:00 pm

Well, I’m off to an amazing start.

Image

Image

Image

Package was *meticulously* packed except someone apparently violently wrenched the head off to make it fit. Unfortunately this one was from my colleague and it was next to free so I’m just going to call this one a total loss while I (anxiously) wait for my CH-2 to show up.

I think it can be salvaged with a new head but not sure how much money I want to put into this when I have arguably better equipment coming.

lorez2
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Re: Possibly the most affordable midlife crisis I could have :)

#15 Post by lorez2 » Wed Aug 11, 2021 10:17 pm

My humble advice is to NOT spend another penny on the Galen 3.

lorez
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Re: Possibly the most affordable midlife crisis I could have :)

#16 Post by PeteM » Wed Aug 11, 2021 11:03 pm

carlh6902 wrote:
Fri Aug 06, 2021 12:39 am
Here is my midlife crisis . . .

Carl
Many of us are thankful for it, Carl (and hope it extends beyond midlife to happy old age). Your write-ups on the BH-2 have been a terrific resource for hobbyists around the world.

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Re: Possibly the most affordable midlife crisis I could have :)

#17 Post by PeteM » Wed Aug 11, 2021 11:06 pm

littlejackal wrote:
Wed Aug 11, 2021 3:00 pm
. . .
I think it can be salvaged with a new head but not sure how much money I want to put into this when I have arguably better equipment coming.
I'd agree the CH2 will likely be more satisfying. But don't pitch that broken microscope quite yet. A cheap Olympus binocular head (BH,CH,BH2 . . .) is likely to come your way some day. Maybe $20 or so. The dovetail can be turned down on one of these to match your broken scope -- and that scope given to an interested kid.

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Re: Possibly the most affordable midlife crisis I could have :)

#18 Post by Scarodactyl » Wed Aug 11, 2021 11:11 pm

Yeah, there are lots of things you can do with a spare frame.

littlejackal
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Re: Possibly the most affordable midlife crisis I could have :)

#19 Post by littlejackal » Wed Aug 11, 2021 11:33 pm

Oh absolutely no reason to ditch the body. I’m pretty content to put this aside until I can decide what to do with it :)

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Re: Possibly the most affordable midlife crisis I could have :)

#20 Post by farnsy » Thu Aug 12, 2021 8:21 am

Great midlife crisis project--I'm in the same boat. Microscopy can get more expensive than you might think, but I think the main problem with it as a mid-life hobby is that you end up collecting microscopes. You really only need 3 or so, even if you do a lot of microscopy. But you end up with a bunch that work and a bunch more that don't work and you haven't found that one part you need yet. Many of us are good at finding good deals on microscopes and even repairing them. What we are bad at is selling microscopes and parts that we don't need.

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Re: Possibly the most affordable midlife crisis I could have :)

#21 Post by BramHuntingNematodes » Thu Aug 12, 2021 4:11 pm

you need to move on to the next phase where you collect jars of things in formaldehyde
1942 Bausch and Lomb Series T Dynoptic, Custom Illumination

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Re: Possibly the most affordable midlife crisis I could have :)

#22 Post by Wes » Thu Aug 12, 2021 4:17 pm

BramHuntingNematodes wrote:
Thu Aug 12, 2021 4:11 pm
you need to move on to the next phase where you collect jars of things in formaldehyde
I like the sound of that, what kind of jars work best for this?
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littlejackal
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Re: Possibly the most affordable midlife crisis I could have :)

#23 Post by littlejackal » Thu Aug 12, 2021 4:18 pm

Good news is that my Olympus CH2 came in and it's in GREAT shape with 100% less mindless destruction! I'll start posting about it in the my scope section soon but now I have jars of formaldehyde to source :D

I'm also piecing together a Zeiss Standard so I'll be in the same boat with the excess parts. Picked up two parts scopes already so hopefully I can avoid the "hmm I have a spare Standard base, maybe I should make another scope!!" pitfall but who knows :D

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Re: Possibly the most affordable midlife crisis I could have :)

#24 Post by BramHuntingNematodes » Thu Aug 12, 2021 4:24 pm

I like jam jars but word of caution acetic acid in FAA will eat through metal lids so maybe see if you could plastic for FAA.

Also I like to keep four or five coplin jars around to save on stains and such
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Wes
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Re: Possibly the most affordable midlife crisis I could have :)

#25 Post by Wes » Thu Aug 12, 2021 5:34 pm

littlejackal wrote:
Thu Aug 12, 2021 4:18 pm
Good news is that my Olympus CH2 came in and it's in GREAT shape with 100% less mindless destruction! I'll start posting about it in the my scope section soon but now I have jars of formaldehyde to source :D

I'm also piecing together a Zeiss Standard so I'll be in the same boat with the excess parts. Picked up two parts scopes already so hopefully I can avoid the "hmm I have a spare Standard base, maybe I should make another scope!!" pitfall but who knows :D
If you have a spare 12k lying around the house this ultramonster may be a good purchase https://www.ebay.com/itm/334110701949?h ... SwRbVhFMVF
BramHuntingNematodes wrote:
Thu Aug 12, 2021 4:24 pm
I like jam jars but word of caution acetic acid in FAA will eat through metal lids so maybe see if you could plastic for FAA.

Also I like to keep four or five coplin jars around to save on stains and such
Asking mainly cause I'm not keen on formaldehyde vapour leaking through the seal.
Zeiss Photomicroscope III BF/DF/Pol/Ph/DIC/FL/Jamin-Lebedeff
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BramHuntingNematodes
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Re: Possibly the most affordable midlife crisis I could have :)

#26 Post by BramHuntingNematodes » Thu Aug 12, 2021 5:52 pm

Yeah no kidding! Acetic acid smell is not as dangerous but also p. nauseating.
1942 Bausch and Lomb Series T Dynoptic, Custom Illumination

littlejackal
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Re: Possibly the most affordable midlife crisis I could have :)

#27 Post by littlejackal » Thu Aug 12, 2021 5:53 pm

Wes wrote:
Thu Aug 12, 2021 5:34 pm
If you have a spare 12k lying around the house this ultramonster may be a good purchase https://www.ebay.com/itm/334110701949?h ... SwRbVhFMVF
12k plus whatever I'd need to spend to reinforce the floor in my home office to not buckle ;)

Greg Howald
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Re: Possibly the most affordable midlife crisis I could have :)

#28 Post by Greg Howald » Fri Aug 13, 2021 3:08 am

although your busted scope appears hopoeless i would try to rebuild it. a good challenge.

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Re: Possibly the most affordable midlife crisis I could have :)

#29 Post by Scarodactyl » Fri Aug 13, 2021 3:19 am

It's only a little busted. Sounds like it takes a standard 42mm head. The hard bit is removing the bent set screw if it won't come willingly, but worst case you remove it unkindly and retap the hole to accept a wider thumb screw.

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Re: Possibly the most affordable midlife crisis I could have :)

#30 Post by Hobbyst46 » Fri Aug 13, 2021 10:22 am

lorez2 wrote:
Wed Aug 11, 2021 10:17 pm
My humble advice is to NOT spend another penny on the Galen 3.

lorez
Likewise.

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