PZO microscope

[smollerthings]

Hi all,

I got hooked on vintage microscopes after my Lomo. I would like to buy another one to renovate/clean for a gift. I could get another biolam c1 but I found this PZO beauty. I couldn't find much info because the exact model is not written on it. Do you know if this stand is DIN or pre DIN? Do you have experience with PZOs? I just know they were a Polish manufacturer.

Thanks!

EDIT: I am trying to get more info on the objectives, I guess 160 or 170 will be written there.

[smollerthings]

Well, that is interesting, they are mixing 160 and 170.

[MichaelG.]

Well, that is interesting, they are mixing 160 and 170.

Have you read the famous Leitz memorandum ?

It might give you some reassurance
… but it would be useful to see the PZO specification for that ‘scope.

Let the search commence !

MichaelG.

[MichaelG.]

Just found this interesting page: https://www.lenstip.com/131.1-article-T ... rt_II.html

MichaelG.

[smollerthings]

Have you read the famous Leitz memorandum ?

I read that this afternoon. And also this:
http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/art ... on%201.pdf

I think it is a 170 mm scope. If the previous owner put a 160 mm on it, it must somewhat work. Probably Leitz standard with optical tube of 152 mm?

I also wonder if those are the eye pieces. They don't seem to be exchangeable?

[MicroBob]

The 3,2:1 semiplan is from Zeiss Jena. On the 40:1 PZO the tube lenght is visible - 170mm. Later PZO used 160mm, 45mm objective parfocal lenght, not sure about the intermediate image position, 10mm ??. But the tube lenght was divided up between tube and thube head with nosepiece in a different way than Zeiss West had it.

In Poland they must have been very proud of PZO, a capable microscope maker in a very agricultural country. I have a later MB 30 and it is very well made, some other PZO stuff is more LOMO-like, it works but finish is a bit rough. The PZO system was quite powerful with option like variable phase contrast and DIC.

This one is probably a little better made than you LOMO, but not as many original parts available and no exchangeable nosepiece. If you want a new interesting microscope and expand your possibilities at the same time you might look for a Zeiss Jena NF or Amplival (if you can stand the look of the latter). Or a newer PZO model like the BIOLAR.

[smollerthings]

Thanks Bob, no this microscope wouldn't be for me but a gift for a child. I mean, really, more of an excuse for me to buy a dirty microscope to renovate and learn about its history.

Quick question: do you think the eye pieces are there? It doesn't look like a design I am used to. There is no light but that is an easy fix.

[MicroBob]

There are two eyepieces in place, a design similar to the Zeiss Jena PK models with a tube that goes several mm beyond the eye lens. I'm sure hey are exchangeable.
Depending on the age of the child a stereo microscope might be a better gift.

[smollerthings]

Fair point. No slide preparation...

[mazdowiecki]

In Poland they must have been very proud of PZO, a capable microscope maker in a very agricultural country. I have a later MB 30 and it is very well made, some other PZO stuff is more LOMO-like, it works but finish is a bit rough. The PZO system was quite powerful with option like variable phase contrast and DIC.

This one is probably a little better made than you LOMO, but not as many original parts available and no exchangeable nosepiece. If you want a new interesting microscope and expand your possibilities at the same time you might look for a Zeiss Jena NF or Amplival (if you can stand the look of the latter). Or a newer PZO model like the BIOLAR.

Hello from Poland!

Before I introduce myself - yes, we were and actually still are, I think the same can tell former GDR citizens about the Zeiss company in Jena...

So, trying to answer smollerthings' question - tube length 160mm, parfocality at 33mm. I find however a bit difficult to identify the model, especially if I can't see the rear view of the scope. Can the author catch up on it? I have attached a few pictures presenting models done in the 50' and also a link to an old online auction https://archiwum.allegro.pl/oferta/mikr ... 04991.html I strongly doubt it is correctly described as ML 5 as the tripod shape is that of MS 2, so probably a hybrid.

@smollerthings Well, are you able to tell now which one do you have?

Regards
Karol

[smollerthings]

Thanks, very interesting. It looked like the m440