Zeiss neofluar Plan : choice between 40 Oil or 63 Oil ?

[Mindwarp]

Hello everyone,

I have a question :

I use a Zeiss axio with ocular 10x (and will add a 12,5x) and optovar 1.25 to 2.5

I have the following objectives all infinity plan neofluar :

- x2.5/0.075 Ph
- x10/0.30 Ph
- x25/0.8 multi imm Ph
- x40/0.75 Ph2

Is it better to add a 40/1.3 Ph3 oil (my actual choice) or the 63/1.25 Ph3 oil ?

Ps : I already have a DIC set, so this one is mainly intended to Ph contrast

Thanks for your insight and wise suggestions...

[Charles]

I guess the choice is obvious. Since your choice is the 40X, that's the one you should get. And with the optovar you can still achieve almost the same magnification. But, all that being said, I would go with the 63X.

[PeteM]

Given that you already have DIC and a nice complement of phase contrast objectives to 40x -- I'd be inclined (if you don't already have it) to get a 63x 1.4na oil objective and prism for DIC. This is based on two notions. First, my own greater satisfaction with DIC (compared to phase contrast) at higher magnifications. Those phase contrast halos aren't much of a bother with a protist moving about at 20x or 40x - but more so when you're trying to get everything right in the 60-100x range. Second, the amazing images that some Zeiss owners with that 63x DIC capability sometimes share.

[Mindwarp]

Thanks you a lot @Charles. By the matter of fact my choice is still not made, that’s why I asked suggestions and advices from those more knowledgeable people . Can you please explain me more your choice, and why you’d favor the X63/1.25 oil Ph instead of the x40/1.3 oil Ph ?

Thanks you a lot @PeteM If I get it right, there is no real interest for me to use a Ph3 oil objective (x60 or x40) but would better invest in hight quality and magnification DIC objectives (like the 63 Oil DIC/pol you mentioned).

In the same idea : the x40/1.3 oil Ph3 would not be more interesting in my described set up as my actual 40/O,75 Ph dry ?

Ps : @PeteM yes I have a x63 Oil Pol with Dic prism, and love it.