MicrobeHunter.com Microscopy Forum

Hi, I was trying to find some blank glass disks to use as filters for my microscope that would be cheap, thin and tough enough. I went to a Watchmaker and bought the watch face disks (in my case 32mm diameter) as you can see from the photographs. With these disks I was able to use those round labels from the stationary store as well as cutting disks from insulation tape to build the desired dark field and Reinberg filters as shown. This really works well as shown in the cyclops photograph.

Nice filters and a nice effect.

Thanks for posting this. I am currently trying to psych myself up to make these filters. Watching Microbehunter's video on them gives me encouragement and I love your examples.

Can't argue with those results! Esslinger sells a large variety of watch face glass in fractional mm sizes for a pretty reasonable price, if anyone wonders where to find such a thing online.

They can be found on eBay

However I just check and for a number of sellers the 32 mm size is out of stock


Gerard

I just now ordered from Esslinger: 8 watch glasses: 32mm, 1mm thick @$1.25 each. Shipping via USPS first class $3.63
The website says that they may be back ordered on some items, but does not specify which ones. At that price I can wait a while if necessary.

What a great idea to use watch faces. I had cut some out of old CD cases, what a chore! And thanks for the Esslinger source. Just ordered some 31mm and can't wait to try some Rheinberg filters!

Update to previous post:
Three hours after I placed my order with Esslinger I have received an email that my order has shipped.. WOW

I came across these too..i wondered if anyone here tried them ..but you beat me too it..10 32mm for 5 bucks ..on the way now ..

i'm thinking i'll machine a 32mm x 1/2mm deep pocket on my spin table head that they can sit in..then i can paint on any kind of circle

Thanks so much for this. I've made many dark field and reinberg filters using flat clear plastic which is pretty flimsy. Never would I have thought of watch face lenses.
What a really good idea. Thanks for sharing.
Greg