Reichert Polyvar

[Rorschach]

How goes your restoration? I'm curious to hear about the progress you're making!

It went well initially, I think I have all the parts and optics in hand now, including a functioning IK condenser. Then life got in the way and I didn't have a proper space for assembly and use of the scope. However, this will improve in relatively near future so the work will continue

[Rorschach]

I am wondering about this polarization optic for the Polyvar, please see image below. It goes on the output of transmitted light at the foot of the microscope. I am thinking that it could be used for simple polarization with the universal condenser but I am not sure what else would be needed. Maybe one of those sliders that go in above the nosepiece. There are many different sliders for the Polyvar, though.

I have not seen a desciption or even a mention of this part in any of the Polyvar brochures or manuals that I have. It can be seen in one of the overall photos of the scope in a Polyvar Met user manual but no description or anything else about it. Maybe the part is from the Polyvar 2 era, and thus there is nothing about it in the earlier materials.

2024-04-11 15_16_31-Reichert-Jung Polyvar widefield condenser 0.92_0.32 excellent optical condition .jpg (27.54 KiB) Viewed 646 times

[Rorschach]

The Reichert Polyvar saga continues We found a scope in excellent condition for our university unit.

It does not have the universal condenser but we can find that one later. The condenser it does have I am unfamiliar with but will get details later. The objectives were marked as polarization compatible.

It seems to have a ready adapter solution for DSLR on the top. There is also the Dual Reflex module, which may allow the attaching of a C-mount camera as well. I don't know the details and different parts of the Dual Reflex system so maybe an adapter is needed. It also seems to have equipment for simple polarization: the nosepiece slider and the (original) part that goes on the transmitted light output.

There's both filter wheels as well, one for transmitted and the other one for incident. Even the handrests are there, which is rare

Edit: I think a clarification is in order for those of you who have followed the Polyvar saga The freebie one I got for myself last year was from an entirely different unit (where I used to study a long time ago). This one is being purchased for the unit where I work now.

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[Rorschach]

What is the policy here regarding brochures etc. for legacy, out of production microscope models? I ask because I recently got hold of (probably) one of the last (1985) and most comprehensive (20 pages) Reichert Polyvar brochures in color and in excellent condition. I would like to scan it and put it up here in this message thread for everybody to use and enjoy. Seems to me that this would hardly be a breach on anyone's rights, as brochures are, after all, free marketing materials originally intended for maximum distribution. Also, the model hasn't been sold in three decades or so, plus I am not making any profit here.

At the same time, I also managed to get hold of an original Reichert Polyvar UK order list, which is near complete (appears that two last pages are missing). I would like to put that here as well. An order list falls under marketing material as well.

[MichaelG.]

I obviously cannot speak for the policy-makers … but I would certainly be interested in seeing the scans !

MichaelG.

[apochronaut]

I can't believe anyone at Leica would care. They seem to have long ago forgotten their legacy, except to brandish certain aspects of it that they deem useful for marketing. You might consider contacting Steve Neeley and sending a scan to him as well. He provides or has links to AO related info., including the translated scan provided by a MHF member of the Reichert Univar manual. That site is a bit of a focal point for Reichert as well as AO. Sales brochures are often valuable because they sometimes profile a broad range of accessories that general manuals or even service literature don't mention, helping users to identify items or even pursue applications.

I use Reichert objectives all the time but not in a Polyvar. I only know the versions listed for the Univar and Diavar 2 up to about 1978 or so. Having some background of the versions offered later for transmitted microscopy would be of value to me personally.

[Rorschach]

Alright then. Next week I should have access to a good scanner so I can do this. I may have to split them into several images/pdfs as there seems to be a pretty strict pixel size & kb size limit on here. The mods can then remove the stuff, should they feel that way. I'll contact Steve Neeley as well.

[Rorschach]

I am wondering about this polarization optic for the Polyvar, please see image below. It goes on the output of transmitted light at the foot of the microscope. I am thinking that it could be used for simple polarization with the universal condenser but I am not sure what else would be needed. Maybe one of those sliders that go in above the nosepiece. There are many different sliders for the Polyvar, though.

I have not seen a desciption or even a mention of this part in any of the Polyvar brochures or manuals that I have. It can be seen in one of the overall photos of the scope in a Polyvar Met user manual but no description or anything else about it. Maybe the part is from the Polyvar 2 era, and thus there is nothing about it in the earlier materials.

2024-04-11 15_16_31-Reichert-Jung Polyvar widefield condenser 0.92_0.32 excellent optical condition .jpg

The brochure I mentioned above also cleared up the mystery of this part. It's not a polarizer of any kind, instead it's a widefield condenser 0.92/0.32 which is designed to perfectly illuminate large object fields (as they write: "up to field of view No. 30") and is compatible with objectives down to mag. 2.5x (with the 0.32 aperture). This condenser can also be motor-controlled by the Telematic NC system. Seems like it can also be manually operated, though. I am not sure what advantage or extra usability it might give if used along a Universal Condenser or one of the other condenser. The universal condenser already does have a swing-in aux lens for low-power objectives but maybe it wasn't intended for quite as low a mag as 2.5, because the Polyvar manual specifically mentions the use of the swing-in lens with the Plan 4x objective.

So, to gain simple transmitted polarization, I am still hunting for the analyzer part that goes on the light exit on the foot below stage & condenser.

[apochronaut]

Is that wide field condenser a stand alone condenser or a suplemental condenser?

[Rorschach]

Is that wide field condenser a stand alone condenser or a suplemental condenser?

I am not sure. It has an internal lens that can be swung into the light path and out, thus providing the 0.32 or 0.92 functionality. This condenser can be seen in two of the many photos of the Polyvar in the brochure and in both there appears to be a another, normal condenser installed also.

In the Polyvar Met manual, section 5.2 which is about the Telematic automatics, this condenser is seen in a few drawings and in each one, there's also another condenser installed. No mention about this condenser in the text, though.

The 'evidence' seems to point toward an auxiliary condenser then, I guess.

[PeteM]

Rorschach - thank you in advance for scanning and posting the Polyvar materials. I know that several of us find these scopes a mystery.

[apochronaut]

.92 is pretty high for an aux. condenser and would require at least a doublet plus highly curved plano convex back lens to achieve that on it's own with acceptable corrections. It seems that the unit might be a very low N.A. reducing aux. condenser that interchanges for an intermediate performance level condenser too : both without removing the primary well corrected condenser to complete the whole. Somewhat unique and convenient design, if that is what it entails.
It has always been a challenge to cover the bases with one condenser and moreso at the field coverage required in the Polyvar.

[Rorschach]

Rorschach - thank you in advance for scanning and posting the Polyvar materials. I know that several of us find these scopes a mystery.

No problem, I'll do it next week. It's nice to be able to do something in return, after all the help and tips I have received.

And yes, the Polyvar seems to certainly have an aura of mystique around it and it seems to generate a lot of interest - the view count of this thread is incredible! Something that I had not noticed until a couple days ago.

[Rorschach]

.92 is pretty high for an aux. condenser and would require at least a doublet plus highly curved plano convex back lens to achieve that on it's own with acceptable corrections. It seems that the unit might be a very low N.A. reducing aux. condenser that interchanges for an intermediate performance level condenser too : both without removing the primary well corrected condenser to complete the whole. Somewhat unique and convenient design, if that is what it entails.
It has always been a challenge to cover the bases with one condenser and moreso at the field coverage required in the Polyvar.

Sounds logical - and convenient too. Is there a way to find out more, e.g. by taking photos through the aux condenser from a certain distance with the movable lens swung in and swung out?

[Rorschach]

The Reichert Polyvar saga continues We found a scope in excellent condition for our university unit.

It does not have the universal condenser but we can find that one later. The condenser it does have I am unfamiliar with but will get details later. The objectives were marked as polarization compatible.

It seems to have a ready adapter solution for DSLR on the top. There is also the Dual Reflex module, which may allow the attaching of a C-mount camera as well. I don't know the details and different parts of the Dual Reflex system so maybe an adapter is needed. It also seems to have equipment for simple polarization: the nosepiece slider and the (original) part that goes on the transmitted light output.

There's both filter wheels as well, one for transmitted and the other one for incident. Even the handrests are there, which is rare

Edit: I think a clarification is in order for those of you who have followed the Polyvar saga The freebie one I got for myself last year was from an entirely different unit (where I used to study a long time ago). This one is being purchased for the unit where I work now.


_MG_3442_small.jpg

_MG_3441_small.jpg

_MG_3434_1_small.jpg

_MG_3442_small.jpg

An update on this Polyvar. The camera adapter on top is indeed for full frame, which is perfect for our needs. The seller also mentioned that the side port (Dual Reflex) would have a C-mount on it, so perfect for something like the Zeiss Axiocam Color 208, which is what we use.

The scope was shipped yesterday from Germany so I expect to get it delivered at my unit next week maybe.