P.A.C.O filter system and condenser - problem?

[IanW]

Hi, I've been looking at the PACO FILTER HOLDER contrast illumination system polarizing:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/P-A-C-O-PACO- ... 27fb0dc74a

It looks incredible and does away with playing about with pieces of transparent overlay printed with coloured ink (which has yielded dreadful results - for me:). Only problem: my condenser apparently can't take it since the filter holder lies above a swing-out bottom lens (see pic)



I was wondering if it is possible to switch the bottom swing out lens with the filter holder - or would that affect the light quality?

There is an alternative package - but it lacks the dark-field patch:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Filter-set-micr ... 27fb0dc5ad

All thoughts and suggestions very welcome.

Thanks

[Charles]

I'm sure you can swap out the lens. I have a few Zeiss Standards and the upper tray has the lens and the lower has a polarizer or is empty.

[75RR]

My filter was originally below the lens, easier access that way. I swopped them hoping to get better results with darkfield stops by moving it closer to the condenser diaphragm.
There is a screw at the bottom of the post which is a little hard to get to, an "L" screwdriver will work best.
In the meantime you can always swing out the lens.

[mrsonchus]

I got around a similar problem with the lens - which as far as I know is only for filling the x4 objective's FOV fully with light to avoid vignetting. I removed the actual lens (a bull's-eye) from its frame (just popped out) and centered and stuck it to the underside of a normal frosted-filter using PVA (not white wood-glue, rather the clear Polyvinyl-alcohol version) and simply swing it in or drop it in as any other filter when needed for the x4 objective - works perfectly.
It may be possible to try this..
Looks a lovely piece of kit by the way - very nice indeed.

Sorry if this is no help.

[IanW]

Thanks very much to all above with the information.

I have often wondered what that swing in auxiliary lens is for (had one on my old MBU-4 microscope too). Now I know that I can more or less ignore it I will either remove it or switch it with the filter holder if I can find myself an L shaped screwdriver.

Have ordered the PACO filter set and will report back later!

Thanks again for all your help with my questions.