Olympus E A40 0.65 160 Objective Haze
Olympus E A40 0.65 160 Objective Haze
I have a weird haze on my Olympus A E40 0.65 objective. It came with the CH2 that I bought used. I thought it was a depth-of-field issue until I got the stage micrometer and realized it is ridiculous. Here are pictures from all of my objectives, straightened and cropped from an iPhone 6 with a 12.5x eyepiece phone mount. The 40x was cleaned with a cotton swab and IPA and distilled water -- nothing helps. The micrometer is 0.01mm divs. Thoughts?
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Re: Olympus E A40 0.65 160 Objective Haze
This is the kind of fuzzy image that can happen with a small amount of of some substance inside scattering the light : lens separation or even oil invasion. Oil leaks in oil immersion objectives are usually more severe and result in different distortions due to repeated dipping and therefore much oil being pressured in over tiime through a small leak.
40X leak due to accidental and brief dipping of an objective never intended to be immersed, so sometimes a small amount gets on the back hemisphere of the front lens.
Whatever it is, it sure looks like something internal.
40X leak due to accidental and brief dipping of an objective never intended to be immersed, so sometimes a small amount gets on the back hemisphere of the front lens.
Whatever it is, it sure looks like something internal.
Re: Olympus E A40 0.65 160 Objective Haze
Notice also the vignetting in the E 40x image, it should not be there if the objective is functional.
Re: Olympus E A40 0.65 160 Objective Haze
That is from the camera on the phone. I cropped the other ones more.
EDIT: Maybe I misunderstand what vignetting is?
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Re: Olympus E A40 0.65 160 Objective Haze
Is there a solution or should I buy another objective?apochronaut wrote: ↑Sun Mar 12, 2023 3:12 pmThis is the kind of fuzzy image that can happen with a small amount of of some substance inside scattering the light : lens separation or even oil invasion. Oil leaks in oil immersion objectives are usually more severe and result in different distortions due to repeated dipping and therefore much oil being pressured in over tiime through a small leak.
40X leak due to accidental and brief dipping of an objective never intended to be immersed, so sometimes a small amount gets on the back hemisphere of the front lens.
Whatever it is, it sure looks like something internal.
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Re: Olympus E A40 0.65 160 Objective Haze
First, you can confirm whether it has a damaged cement layer by looking into the objective with a stereo microscope or by using a reversed eyepiece as a strong hand magnifier. With a backlit source such as a clear window, focus on the clean front lens surface and then slowly through the lens pack to the back lens surface. You can view from the back lens forward too but with a reversed eyepiece you probably can't focus through to the front lens surface. If it is oil making an even film on one ir more lens surfaces, you may not be able to see that. Sometimes by quickly rotating the objective 180° while viewing , you can see some oil draining with gravity but once the amount has reached that proportion, usually the affect on the image is worse.
If it has a cement problem, I wouldn't be bothered trying to rectify that. Only with an expensive objective. If it is oil, it can be cleaned and such objectives are quite easy to do. That's the one with the wide rubber grip ring around it, correct?
I would do it for you for free but with two postage fees to Canada and back, it probably isn't worth it. You can probably land a good used planachro for about the same price.
If it has a cement problem, I wouldn't be bothered trying to rectify that. Only with an expensive objective. If it is oil, it can be cleaned and such objectives are quite easy to do. That's the one with the wide rubber grip ring around it, correct?
I would do it for you for free but with two postage fees to Canada and back, it probably isn't worth it. You can probably land a good used planachro for about the same price.
Re: Olympus E A40 0.65 160 Objective Haze
I'd consider this an opportunity to get a 40x Olympus DPlan objective. 40x is one of the most challenging magnifications (compared to 10x and 20x), and the DPlan is a significantly better, but still affordable, objective.
As Phil said, this may have oil intrusion. Olympus' educational achromat objectives tended to get sold into the hands of careless users.
As Phil said, this may have oil intrusion. Olympus' educational achromat objectives tended to get sold into the hands of careless users.
Re: Olympus E A40 0.65 160 Objective Haze
I appreciate the information. I will do advised. You don't happen to have any objectives for sale by chance?apochronaut wrote: ↑Sun Mar 12, 2023 5:47 pmFirst, you can confirm whether it has a damaged cement layer by looking into the objective with a stereo microscope or by using a reversed eyepiece as a strong hand magnifier. With a backlit source such as a clear window, focus on the clean front lens surface and then slowly through the lens pack to the back lens surface. You can view from the back lens forward too but with a reversed eyepiece you probably can't focus through to the front lens surface. If it is oil making an even film on one ir more lens surfaces, you may not be able to see that. Sometimes by quickly rotating the objective 180° while viewing , you can see some oil draining with gravity but once the amount has reached that proportion, usually the affect on the image is worse.
If it has a cement problem, I wouldn't be bothered trying to rectify that. Only with an expensive objective. If it is oil, it can be cleaned and such objectives are quite easy to do. That's the one with the wide rubber grip ring around it, correct?
I would do it for you for free but with two postage fees to Canada and back, it probably isn't worth it. You can probably land a good used planachro for about the same price.
BTW: No rubber grip. Looks like this (picture from an ebay auction but it is the same one):
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Re: Olympus E A40 0.65 160 Objective Haze
Olympus DPlans 40x are going to $100+ used on that auction site, while Nikon EPlans are $25 - $50. What's the deal with that? Any reason not to go for a Nikon at 1/4 price?PeteM wrote: ↑Sun Mar 12, 2023 7:11 pmI'd consider this an opportunity to get a 40x Olympus DPlan objective. 40x is one of the most challenging magnifications (compared to 10x and 20x), and the DPlan is a significantly better, but still affordable, objective.
As Phil said, this may have oil intrusion. Olympus' educational achromat objectives tended to get sold into the hands of careless users.
Re: Olympus E A40 0.65 160 Objective Haze
40X 0.65 should give a pretty bad (but maybe not that bad) image if used with no cover glass. Might be worth sticking a 0.17 mm cover glass on top of the micrometer slide with a small drop of immersion oil to get an idea how much of the haze is from the objective itself vs. lack of cover glass.
Re: Olympus E A40 0.65 160 Objective Haze
You can find a Dplan 40 for less, just wait a bit. I bought mine (10x) for maybe 30$.
Here is one sold a few days ago:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/304823197151?h ... 7675.l2557
Here is one sold a few days ago:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/304823197151?h ... 7675.l2557
Re: Olympus E A40 0.65 160 Objective Haze
Nikon objectives use different corrections. For best results, you'd want to swap eyepieces each time you used the 40x. I'd stick with Olympus long barrel finite choices.dirigibil wrote: ↑Sun Mar 12, 2023 7:56 pmOlympus DPlans 40x are going to $100+ used on that auction site, while Nikon EPlans are $25 - $50. What's the deal with that? Any reason not to go for a Nikon at 1/4 price?PeteM wrote: ↑Sun Mar 12, 2023 7:11 pmI'd consider this an opportunity to get a 40x Olympus DPlan objective. 40x is one of the most challenging magnifications (compared to 10x and 20x), and the DPlan is a significantly better, but still affordable, objective.
As Phil said, this may have oil intrusion. Olympus' educational achromat objectives tended to get sold into the hands of careless users.
Hans has a good point. Check the view with a cover slip - perhaps using a slide with sharply defined edges if you won't want to use oil.
My experience has been the same as Imkap - but more like $60-70. These days sellers seem to think everything microscope-related is a lottery ticket. You could also look for "Olympus 40x (DPlan,SPlan)." The SPlans are even better and sometimes sold for the same price as DPlans.
Re: Olympus E A40 0.65 160 Objective Haze
Note that there exists a 40X/1.0 DPLAN, an immersion oil objective, a fantastic objective but not for your purpose...
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Re: Olympus E A40 0.65 160 Objective Haze
Not sure if their page is up to date, but dealcorner lists a Splan 40x for $90:
https://www.dealcorner.com/Olympus-Objectives
https://www.dealcorner.com/Olympus-Objectives
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Re: Olympus E A40 0.65 160 Objective Haze
I'm seeing the edge of the image is not good also with aberration, might not be relevant.
If you are new to optics don't panic buy just yet maybe.
Get a really good magnified look at the front that has been cleaned,it may still have some residue on there.
Also the lens in the back,if it's been open to the air without a head with the 40x selected it could have anything on it.
Vaping or smoking is not good if it's had some exposure,
Doesn't need to be in the same room, just the same house.
If you are new to optics don't panic buy just yet maybe.
Get a really good magnified look at the front that has been cleaned,it may still have some residue on there.
Also the lens in the back,if it's been open to the air without a head with the 40x selected it could have anything on it.
Vaping or smoking is not good if it's had some exposure,
Doesn't need to be in the same room, just the same house.
Re: Olympus E A40 0.65 160 Objective Haze
With a drop of Cargille Immersion Oil Type B directly on slide and coverslip on top.hans wrote: ↑Sun Mar 12, 2023 7:58 pm40X 0.65 should give a pretty bad (but maybe not that bad) image if used with no cover glass. Might be worth sticking a 0.17 mm cover glass on top of the micrometer slide with a small drop of immersion oil to get an idea how much of the haze is from the objective itself vs. lack of cover glass.
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Re: Olympus E A40 0.65 160 Objective Haze
I took a look and I do have one Olympus format 40X .65 achro. It looks little used , if at all. P.M. me if you are interested.dirigibil wrote: ↑Sun Mar 12, 2023 7:50 pmI appreciate the information. I will do advised. You don't happen to have any objectives for sale by chance?apochronaut wrote: ↑Sun Mar 12, 2023 5:47 pmFirst, you can confirm whether it has a damaged cement layer by looking into the objective with a stereo microscope or by using a reversed eyepiece as a strong hand magnifier. With a backlit source such as a clear window, focus on the clean front lens surface and then slowly through the lens pack to the back lens surface. You can view from the back lens forward too but with a reversed eyepiece you probably can't focus through to the front lens surface. If it is oil making an even film on one ir more lens surfaces, you may not be able to see that. Sometimes by quickly rotating the objective 180° while viewing , you can see some oil draining with gravity but once the amount has reached that proportion, usually the affect on the image is worse.
If it has a cement problem, I wouldn't be bothered trying to rectify that. Only with an expensive objective. If it is oil, it can be cleaned and such objectives are quite easy to do. That's the one with the wide rubber grip ring around it, correct?
I would do it for you for free but with two postage fees to Canada and back, it probably isn't worth it. You can probably land a good used planachro for about the same price.
BTW: No rubber grip. Looks like this (picture from an ebay auction but it is the same one):
Re: Olympus E A40 0.65 160 Objective Haze
Looks sharper, at least. Still not great contrast but I'm not sure what is expected for that objective. The different colors of the chromatic aberration on the left and right sides of the image (more red and cyan on the left, more yellow and blue on the right) is suspicious but the 20X image in your first post also has more red/cyan on the left side so that might be a misalignment somewhere else in the microscope rather than a problem with the objective. Is it the same through both eyepieces?
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Re: Olympus E A40 0.65 160 Objective Haze
The immersion oil is just in some way refracting the rays so they cancel out what is an obvious problem with spherical aberration internally. Why would a 40X .65 objective improve when immersion oil is used?
The skewed c.a. is evident in photos of the scale with the other objectives too. It's a cockeyed camera mount.
The skewed c.a. is evident in photos of the scale with the other objectives too. It's a cockeyed camera mount.
Re: Olympus E A40 0.65 160 Objective Haze
I was advised to put oil between the cover glass and the slide, which is what I did. Not sure if that makes a difference to your assessment.apochronaut wrote: ↑Tue Mar 14, 2023 12:00 amThe immersion oil is just in some way refracting the rays so they cancel out what is an obvious problem with spherical aberration internally. Why would a 40X .65 objective improve when immersion oil is used?
The skewed c.a. is evident in photos of the scale with the other objectives too. It's a cockeyed camera mount.
Re: Olympus E A40 0.65 160 Objective Haze
The eyepiece used for the photos is a cheapo 12.5x which is attached to a cell phone holder for easy of popping into an eye-piece-tube. I am sure it is adding some something terrible optically, which is a reason I included pictures of all the objectives. I don't have a way of taking a decent picture with the Olympus oculars since I don't feel like duck taping a carboard tube to my scope (my hands aren't super steady).hans wrote: ↑Mon Mar 13, 2023 11:35 pmLooks sharper, at least. Still not great contrast but I'm not sure what is expected for that objective. The different colors of the chromatic aberration on the left and right sides of the image (more red and cyan on the left, more yellow and blue on the right) is suspicious but the 20X image in your first post also has more red/cyan on the left side so that might be a misalignment somewhere else in the microscope rather than a problem with the objective. Is it the same through both eyepieces?
Re: Olympus E A40 0.65 160 Objective Haze
It is estimated that it has nothing to do with the cover glass
This is my coverless slide photo (SPlan40 NKF 5X GH4)
Best Regards
This is my coverless slide photo (SPlan40 NKF 5X GH4)
Best Regards
Micrographers from China, thanks to the forum for providing a platform for exchange
Re: Olympus E A40 0.65 160 Objective Haze
Maybe it is a mechanical vibration issue. The 40X images will be more sensitive to vibration than 20X, 10X etc. If the phone adapter plus eyepiece is not well aligned and stable on the microscope. Also, touching the phone to take the photo might have changed the focus. By chance, when the slide was covered (including the oil), a better focused view was achieved; like Apo and woyjwjl commented, the oil medium plus coverslip per se should not matter much for sharpness in this case.
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Re: Olympus E A40 0.65 160 Objective Haze
Dipping an objective designed for air into oil can't be good. Wonder if this isn't the first time?
Re: Olympus E A40 0.65 160 Objective Haze
The OP mentioned that a coverslip was placed on top of the oil, so not immersion.apochronaut wrote: ↑Tue Mar 14, 2023 10:38 pmDipping an objective designed for air into oil can't be good. Wonder if this isn't the first time?
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Re: Olympus E A40 0.65 160 Objective Haze
Oops. Sorry dirigibil. thanks for the clarification Hobbyst46.
Re: Olympus E A40 0.65 160 Objective Haze
Update: replaced with a Nikon E-Plan 40x (top black bottom silver with knurl in the center). Included is the result. Note that the bending of the lines do not appear in the eye-pieces, it seems to be something my iPhone camera is doing.
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