Brand New Amscope Phase Contrast Kit
Brand New Amscope Phase Contrast Kit
Just got this today, eh. For my Amscope T490B. Thought I would share. Seems to be a very good kit. Although I need some more time and practice with it to really get an experienced opinion on it. So far I very impressed with the objectives. I ordered a plan 60x to go with it and the plan and plan phase objectives absolutely blow the standard anchromats away.
One thing I did not like was as you ca see in picture 3, customs must of opened the 60x objective and just threw it in the box, open container and exposed. Man, I hate customs. Luckily it was okay.
Anyways, I'll update this after more practice.
One thing I did not like was as you ca see in picture 3, customs must of opened the 60x objective and just threw it in the box, open container and exposed. Man, I hate customs. Luckily it was okay.
Anyways, I'll update this after more practice.
Re: Brand New Amscope Phase Contrast Kit
Thanks for sharing the images, I've always wondered how well AmScope's phase kits perform. What camera setup did you use for these shots?
Re: Brand New Amscope Phase Contrast Kit
Hi Red_Green.I’m a confirmed phase junkie and have wondered about the amscope versions myself-they look pretty damn good-bit like the Nikon Dark Medium type-nice and colourful as well-you won’t regret them when you catch a nice big amoeba in phase for the first time-I hate it when customs goes through one’s packages-it like a mini home breaking and entering-and they never put any sort of lid back on properly. So rude!
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Re: Brand New Amscope Phase Contrast Kit
Fine phase contrast images !
Brighter illumination might improve. Phase contrast needs brighter illumination than brightfield.
The background color of the second and third phase photos is more "natural" than that of the first.
It seems that two of the phase annuli in the condenser - the small ones - are the same size
Is any of the condenser positions specified as darkfield ?
Brighter illumination might improve. Phase contrast needs brighter illumination than brightfield.
The background color of the second and third phase photos is more "natural" than that of the first.
It seems that two of the phase annuli in the condenser - the small ones - are the same size
Is any of the condenser positions specified as darkfield ?
-
- Posts: 6327
- Joined: Fri May 15, 2015 12:15 am
Re: Brand New Amscope Phase Contrast Kit
The second phase diaphragm is farther away from the camera, or therefore closer to the objective. That should work to provide a larger diaphragm with the 20X but it wouldn't be ideal. I suppose they could manipulate the phase plate location in the objective somewhat too.
I always wonder about systems where a phase condenser is marked 1.25, since phase is done below an N.A. of 1.
I suppose that reflects the use of the condenser's potential in BF.
I'm seeing one hell of a lot of chromatic aberration in those images, with not a lot of markers that designate the image as a phase image. Mostly just the background. The striae on that diatom should be sharp as a tack and normally would be a charcoal grey to black with dark phase, which I think this would be. Make sure you have a Köhler condition and that the rings are immaculately centered and the microscope perfectly aligned.The illuminator, field diaphragm condenser lens, objectives and viewing body all need to be on the same axis. You bring the condenser diaphragms into axial alignment individually. Without alignment, the phase image will not be up to it's potential.
I always wonder about systems where a phase condenser is marked 1.25, since phase is done below an N.A. of 1.
I suppose that reflects the use of the condenser's potential in BF.
I'm seeing one hell of a lot of chromatic aberration in those images, with not a lot of markers that designate the image as a phase image. Mostly just the background. The striae on that diatom should be sharp as a tack and normally would be a charcoal grey to black with dark phase, which I think this would be. Make sure you have a Köhler condition and that the rings are immaculately centered and the microscope perfectly aligned.The illuminator, field diaphragm condenser lens, objectives and viewing body all need to be on the same axis. You bring the condenser diaphragms into axial alignment individually. Without alignment, the phase image will not be up to it's potential.
Re: Brand New Amscope Phase Contrast Kit
Human cheek cells are somewhat of a standard subject for testing phase contrast.
I am interested to know how the affordable Amscope set compares with Olympus; the condenser alone is an outrageous $1,205.00:
https://spectraservices.com/product/6-lp151a.html
here is a cheek cell image at 40x with the Olympus setup:
I am interested to know how the affordable Amscope set compares with Olympus; the condenser alone is an outrageous $1,205.00:
https://spectraservices.com/product/6-lp151a.html
here is a cheek cell image at 40x with the Olympus setup:
New Brunswick
Canada
Canada
Re: Brand New Amscope Phase Contrast Kit
I use a canon t6. With the Amscope adapter. Manual setting just so I can control brightness.
It seems to be alright, although I have never used phase until now so I have nothing to compare it too. Also that's why I wanted it because from the pictures I have seen of amoeba in phase they really pop out and I look at a lot of amoeba so I thought it would be cool. I did find a few today but they were very small. I added pics.Rossf wrote: ↑Tue Mar 23, 2021 7:54 amHi Red_Green.I’m a confirmed phase junkie and have wondered about the amscope versions myself-they look pretty damn good-bit like the Nikon Dark Medium type-nice and colourful as well-you won’t regret them when you catch a nice big amoeba in phase for the first time-I hate it when customs goes through one’s packages-it like a mini home breaking and entering-and they never put any sort of lid back on properly. So rude!
Enjoy!
I know. Would it of been really such a bother to screw the cap back on? Jeez. I don't even see why they would need to open it anyway. It's a clear tube.
Thanks. That was actually mostly my fault. I personally like my images to have the darkest background I can get and the specimen brighter. So I tweak my photo's to balance brightness.Hobbyst46 wrote: ↑Tue Mar 23, 2021 12:16 pmFine phase contrast images !
Brighter illumination might improve. Phase contrast needs brighter illumination than brightfield.
The background color of the second and third phase photos is more "natural" than that of the first.
It seems that two of the phase annuli in the condenser - the small ones - are the same size
Is any of the condenser positions specified as darkfield ?
This condenser is significantly brighter than my regular brightfield condenser. I have to remember to to close the diaphragm a bit when switching to brightfield or it's blindingly bright.
The two smaller rings to appear similar and weirdly they do work with both objectives. Although there is a slight drop in resolution when using the wrong one. With that said they are different sized rings. When looking through the centering telescope, it's noticeable that they are different.
There is no dedicated darkfield positions but the different phase stops do provide darkfield with some objectives and the brightfield condenser still has a flip out holder for filters. So I'll just keep using my darkfield patch stops Krame (a user here) made for me.
Understood.apochronaut wrote: ↑Tue Mar 23, 2021 12:54 pmThe second phase diaphragm is farther away from the camera, or therefore closer to the objective. That should work to provide a larger diaphragm with the 20X but it wouldn't be ideal. I suppose they could manipulate the phase plate location in the objective somewhat too.
I always wonder about systems where a phase condenser is marked 1.25, since phase is done below an N.A. of 1.
I suppose that reflects the use of the condenser's potential in BF.
I'm seeing one hell of a lot of chromatic aberration in those images, with not a lot of markers that designate the image as a phase image. Mostly just the background. The striae on that diatom should be sharp as a tack and normally would be a charcoal grey to black with dark phase, which I think this would be. Make sure you have a Köhler condition and that the rings are immaculately centered and the microscope perfectly aligned.The illuminator, field diaphragm condenser lens, objectives and viewing body all need to be on the same axis. You bring the condenser diaphragms into axial alignment individually. Without alignment, the phase image will not be up to it's potential.
I tinkered around with it today and made a video which can be fond here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zaji_Ix ... =JohnSmith
Also took these pictures.
The vorticella. All I can say is wow. You totally cannot see the stalk coiled up like that in BF or DF.
Last edited by Red_Green on Wed Mar 24, 2021 12:44 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Brand New Amscope Phase Contrast Kit
Here is two pictures of my cheek cells using the 40x. The brighter one I tweaked. The other one I left untouched. What do you think?TonyT wrote: ↑Tue Mar 23, 2021 4:09 pmHuman cheek cells are somewhat of a standard subject for testing phase contrast.
I am interested to know how the affordable Amscope set compares with Olympus; the condenser alone is an outrageous $1,205.00:
https://spectraservices.com/product/6-lp151a.html
here is a cheek cell image at 40x with the Olympus setup:
Re: Brand New Amscope Phase Contrast Kit
Looks decent to me. With an antique B&L on cheek cells I got similar contrast but a lot more more blue/yellow color, not sure if that is normal:
https://www.microbehunter.com/microscop ... 856#p98015
https://www.microbehunter.com/microscop ... 856#p98015
Re: Brand New Amscope Phase Contrast Kit
I love the photo of the Vorticella with its coiled stalk, showing the myoneme contractile fibril in exquisite detail. Bravo!
Re: Brand New Amscope Phase Contrast Kit
I made a comparison plate for the cheek cell images using the same processing for each.
Very impressive result from the Amscope, slightly larger halo from the Amscope otherwise a better image than the Olympus.
Very impressive result from the Amscope, slightly larger halo from the Amscope otherwise a better image than the Olympus.
- Attachments
-
- cheek-plate.jpg (118.76 KiB) Viewed 18731 times
New Brunswick
Canada
Canada
Re: Brand New Amscope Phase Contrast Kit
Thanks. That blew me away when I saw it lol. I have seen tons of vorticella in BF but never seen that coiled before.
Cool, thanks for doing the comparison. Very interesting results.
Here is some more pics of diatoms, amoeba and such. I have to admit I am pretty happy with this phase kit.
Re: Brand New Amscope Phase Contrast Kit
Getting better !
Re: Brand New Amscope Phase Contrast Kit
Looks like you’ve hit the ground running! Saw your vid-was it a fairly thick mount?ie big drop of water? The larger ciliates had a lot of room to turn any direction leading to that hard to get in focus effect-try as small a drop as possible to constrain them a bit-having said that I often love to play with a really filthy thick mount with lots of humus/algae/decaying chunks galore and just embrace the chaos! All phase varieties have their strengths and weaknesses and these type have an unusual amount of sharpness in the right specimen and condition-ie coil of vorticella-also seems to do a pretty good job of cilia around mouth parts-I love those small starfish shaped amoeba-so fascinating...have you tried the 100x?
Have fun!
Regards
Have fun!
Regards
- Attachments
-
- DB51297A-2531-41EC-9895-F1F02F584AEB.jpeg (98.48 KiB) Viewed 18686 times
Re: Brand New Amscope Phase Contrast Kit
Finally! Someone talking sense! Love it!
Those amoeabae really do look good in phase. I was never tempted by phase until now.. Thanks, I guess. :-/
Re: Brand New Amscope Phase Contrast Kit
Ah kindered spirits...I forgot to mention also-I find adjusting white balance in camera, either automatic or pick a clear spot for white point can “tune” the phase effect quite a bit-I’ve got some Leitz that have a strong blue background and are good for most things except amoeba but if I do a white balance on a blank spot the background becomes a medium grey-brown and then they image amoebas really well-also flagella-and this is all before getting into post production with sharpening and colour correction -do you shoot RAW? Or a flat gamma? Gives a lot of options afterwards...
Regards
Regards
Re: Brand New Amscope Phase Contrast Kit
Ya, I tend to go a bit heavy on the water drops. Probably about 50ml. I haven't tried the 100x yet. Messing around with oil is a bit annoying.Rossf wrote: ↑Wed Mar 24, 2021 8:12 pmLooks like you’ve hit the ground running! Saw your vid-was it a fairly thick mount?ie big drop of water? The larger ciliates had a lot of room to turn any direction leading to that hard to get in focus effect-try as small a drop as possible to constrain them a bit-having said that I often love to play with a really filthy thick mount with lots of humus/algae/decaying chunks galore and just embrace the chaos! All phase varieties have their strengths and weaknesses and these type have an unusual amount of sharpness in the right specimen and condition-ie coil of vorticella-also seems to do a pretty good job of cilia around mouth parts-I love those small starfish shaped amoeba-so fascinating...have you tried the 100x?
Have fun!
Regards
I hope this thread helps people thinking of getting into phase. I tried to research but there is so little out there and next to nothing on the Amscope kit.
Here is an Amoeba killing a Cymbella. For some reason I think they look awesome when I make them black.
Also. I just uploaded a couple hundred pics to inat using the phase kit if anybody wants to see them
https://www.inaturalist.org/people/1768608
Re: Brand New Amscope Phase Contrast Kit
Red_Green I concur making them black looks cool-it’s very “We are the Borg-you will be assimilated-resistance is futile”! And some of the larger amoeba really are into assimilation...
I grabbed a pic from your link-it’s below-is this a testate amoebae? The back end looks so but the front end not sure-if so I’m even more impressed with these objectives cos I’ve found testate amoebas with their pseudopods extended out can be hard to image well even with phase. You picked well-you’ve got some really nice images on that website.
Regards Ross
I grabbed a pic from your link-it’s below-is this a testate amoebae? The back end looks so but the front end not sure-if so I’m even more impressed with these objectives cos I’ve found testate amoebas with their pseudopods extended out can be hard to image well even with phase. You picked well-you’ve got some really nice images on that website.
Regards Ross
- Attachments
-
- 175904D1-4882-44A0-9DF2-10E62045A994.jpeg (143.04 KiB) Viewed 18589 times
Re: Brand New Amscope Phase Contrast Kit
I don't know. It appears to be testate like but it was larger than any testate amoeba I've seen. I saw two in the sample. Still trying to find out what kind it was. Like you said, the front end pretty much looks like a normal naked amoeba but it has something on or in it's back end.Rossf wrote: ↑Fri Mar 26, 2021 1:37 amRed_Green I concur making them black looks cool-it’s very “We are the Borg-you will be assimilated-resistance is futile”! And some of the larger amoeba really are into assimilation...
I grabbed a pic from your link-it’s below-is this a testate amoebae? The back end looks so but the front end not sure-if so I’m even more impressed with these objectives cos I’ve found testate amoebas with their pseudopods extended out can be hard to image well even with phase. You picked well-you’ve got some really nice images on that website.
Regards Ross
I am really happy with this kit. I had no idea, how much I was missing before phase. Now it's like wow, I haven't seen that before and things are just popping out all over the place.
Re: Brand New Amscope Phase Contrast Kit
I just thought it could be a naked amoeba attacking a testate or has already ingested one! Not very neighbourly but it’s a microbe eat microbe world out there-be afraid-be very afraid-been nice to chat to another phase aficionado-I’m sure I’ll bump into you on the forum again-take care
Re: Brand New Amscope Phase Contrast Kit
More pictures plus a video of some bizarre yet awesome ciliate, https://youtu.be/_5QwgK_fiWo
This phase kit is the best thing ever.
This phase kit is the best thing ever.
Re: Brand New Amscope Phase Contrast Kit
Human beings under the microscope lol, Phase Contrast.
Re: Brand New Amscope Phase Contrast Kit
Red_Green...Regards your last post..Ha! I couldn’t resist the same “experiment” when I got my first scope-not sure how taboo it is here-but you’re just being a scientist....the heliozoa spines show up nice-is that marine algae doing that zig zag dance as they come apart? I’m in the bush so only seen it once camping by the sea-yes a scope always comes camping with me-just a beat up old mirror one. Your pics are getting even better mate-keep it up!
Regards Ross
P.S you’ve got me thinking do I need a set of these? Well not need but definitely want.
Regards Ross
P.S you’ve got me thinking do I need a set of these? Well not need but definitely want.
Re: Brand New Amscope Phase Contrast Kit
Lol I thought it was pretty funny. Taboo or not. I think I might even post it in the pictures section. Just to see the reactions.Rossf wrote: ↑Sun Mar 28, 2021 8:08 amRed_Green...Regards your last post..Ha! I couldn’t resist the same “experiment” when I got my first scope-not sure how taboo it is here-but you’re just being a scientist....the heliozoa spines show up nice-is that marine algae doing that zig zag dance as they come apart? I’m in the bush so only seen it once camping by the sea-yes a scope always comes camping with me-just a beat up old mirror one. Your pics are getting even better mate-keep it up!
Regards Ross
P.S you’ve got me thinking do I need a set of these? Well not need but definitely want.
The zig zags thing, Which are you referring to? The thig that looks like tabs breaking apart? That's tabellaria. It naturally is like that. Everything is freshwater as I don't live anywhere close to salt water.
You bring a microscope into the bush with you? That's awesome. I wouldn't mind finding a portable field microscope so I cold do that.
Re: Brand New Amscope Phase Contrast Kit
Red_Green I’ve seen marine versions of that diatom arrangement-I’m going to give you a really bad case of gear lust with one photo and a link to the Nikon model M super portable microscope from the 60’s-I don’t have one-bucket list-but it could do phase-about the size of a paperback novel and ran on two small batterie-was used a lot by doctors in remote areas to diagnose malaria and STD’s and in their down time probably doing their own dirty “experiments” for LOL’s...
https://www.microscopyu.com/museum/model-h-microscope
https://www.microscopyu.com/museum/model-h-microscope
- Attachments
-
- 9BDD6E4E-21DA-48C7-900D-0AD3832148C0.jpeg (93.67 KiB) Viewed 18450 times