What is the illumination technique Microbehunter used in his last video?

Here you can discuss different microscopic techniques and illumination methods, such as Brightfield, Darkfield, Phase Contrast, DIC, Oblique illumination, etc.
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smollerthings
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What is the illumination technique Microbehunter used in his last video?

#1 Post by smollerthings » Tue Oct 12, 2021 7:57 am

at 1:00
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kb0fwt_ENjo

Looks very good. Is this DIC? I can see crystals, maybe polarized + oblique illumination?

Great video by the way.

Thanks !

LouiseScot
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Re: What is the illumination technique Microbehunter used in his last video?

#2 Post by LouiseScot » Tue Oct 12, 2021 2:19 pm

smollerthings wrote:
Tue Oct 12, 2021 7:57 am
at 1:00
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kb0fwt_ENjo

Looks very good. Is this DIC? I can see crystals, maybe polarized + oblique illumination?

Great video by the way.

Thanks !
I'm pretty sure it's DIC
Though, thinking about it, I don't think Oliver has DIC and some parts are darkfield. Maybe it's a combination effect like this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-1VvpHcKms
Louise
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apochronaut
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Re: What is the illumination technique Microbehunter used in his last video?

#3 Post by apochronaut » Tue Oct 12, 2021 2:37 pm

I believe it was the same technique they used in Plan 9 from Outer Space.

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75RR
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Re: What is the illumination technique Microbehunter used in his last video?

#4 Post by 75RR » Tue Oct 12, 2021 3:37 pm

.
This is from the comments section of the video, though I am not sure what to make of it.
.
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LouiseScot
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Re: What is the illumination technique Microbehunter used in his last video?

#5 Post by LouiseScot » Tue Oct 12, 2021 3:43 pm

75RR wrote:
Tue Oct 12, 2021 3:37 pm
.
This is from the comments section of the video, though I am not sure what to make of it.
.
That might explain it! Though some of the video is darkfield and I didn't think darkfield and DIC could be used together - but what do I know!!

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Re: What is the illumination technique Microbehunter used in his last video?

#6 Post by smollerthings » Tue Oct 12, 2021 3:51 pm

75RR wrote:
Tue Oct 12, 2021 3:37 pm
This is from the comments section of the video, though I am not sure what to make of it.
Ooh, I think he did upgrade to DIC. Or did he? How do we conjure the great Microbehunter to answer himself? :)

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Re: What is the illumination technique Microbehunter used in his last video?

#7 Post by LouiseScot » Tue Oct 12, 2021 4:01 pm

smollerthings wrote:
Tue Oct 12, 2021 3:51 pm
75RR wrote:
Tue Oct 12, 2021 3:37 pm
This is from the comments section of the video, though I am not sure what to make of it.
Ooh, I think he did upgrade to DIC. Or did he? How do we conjure the great Microbehunter to answer himself? :)
I just posted a comment/request for details :)

Louise
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Re: What is the illumination technique Microbehunter used in his last video?

#8 Post by Scarodactyl » Tue Oct 12, 2021 4:11 pm

The results are impressive to me. My only question is, have you ever heard of a microscopist getting DIC and not talking about it?

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Re: What is the illumination technique Microbehunter used in his last video?

#9 Post by LouiseScot » Tue Oct 12, 2021 4:14 pm

Scarodactyl wrote:
Tue Oct 12, 2021 4:11 pm
The results are impressive to me. My only question is, have you ever heard of a microscopist getting DIC and not talking about it?
Give him time! I expect he'll make a new video soon...
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Re: What is the illumination technique Microbehunter used in his last video?

#10 Post by smollerthings » Tue Oct 12, 2021 5:38 pm

apochronaut wrote:
Tue Oct 12, 2021 2:37 pm
I believe it was the same technique they used in Plan 9 from Outer Space.
I don't care if a zombie has to come to my place to install it on my microscope. I want it. :lol: :lol: :lol:

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Re: What is the illumination technique Microbehunter used in his last video?

#11 Post by smollerthings » Tue Oct 12, 2021 5:42 pm

LouiseScot wrote:
Tue Oct 12, 2021 4:14 pm
I expect he'll make a new video soon...
My dream new video: How to print your own DIC prism with an inkjet printer :D


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Re: What is the illumination technique Microbehunter used in his last video?

#13 Post by PeteM » Tue Oct 12, 2021 11:21 pm

Just a note on that (paramecium life cycle) video - kudos to Oliver. The content, images, and production were all excellent. Thanks!

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Re: What is the illumination technique Microbehunter used in his last video?

#14 Post by Dubious » Wed Oct 13, 2021 12:12 am

Great video! I really need to spring for a DIC upgrade...

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Re: What is the illumination technique Microbehunter used in his last video?

#15 Post by SWmicro » Wed Oct 13, 2021 1:11 pm

Just above LouiseScot's question (4hrs after) is this exchange :-

"
Bitácoras del Microcosmos 18 hours ago
Wow, such a great episode. Love those dark field images!

Microbehunter 16 hours ago
Some are phase contrast images, they look like darkfield because the background is dark (and I did a bit of contrast enhancement).

Bitácoras del Microcosmos 16 hours ago
@Microbehunter Amazing technique!

/"

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Re: What is the illumination technique Microbehunter used in his last video?

#16 Post by LouiseScot » Wed Oct 13, 2021 2:25 pm

SWmicro wrote:
Wed Oct 13, 2021 1:11 pm
Just above LouiseScot's question (4hrs after) is this exchange :-

"
Bitácoras del Microcosmos 18 hours ago
Wow, such a great episode. Love those dark field images!

Microbehunter 16 hours ago
Some are phase contrast images, they look like darkfield because the background is dark (and I did a bit of contrast enhancement).

Bitácoras del Microcosmos 16 hours ago
@Microbehunter Amazing technique!

/"
So it is... I suppose I was actually more right with my second guess - post #2. I'm used to seeing phase contrast images with more obvious bright halos. I'm a bit disappointed really!

Still, here is another vid using phase contrast:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTFLCTqCCUs

Louise
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Re: What is the illumination technique Microbehunter used in his last video?

#17 Post by Javier » Wed Oct 13, 2021 3:54 pm

I asked those
LouiseScot wrote:
Wed Oct 13, 2021 2:25 pm
SWmicro wrote:
Wed Oct 13, 2021 1:11 pm
Just above LouiseScot's question (4hrs after) is this exchange :-

"
Bitácoras del Microcosmos 18 hours ago
Wow, such a great episode. Love those dark field images!

Microbehunter 16 hours ago
Some are phase contrast images, they look like darkfield because the background is dark (and I did a bit of contrast enhancement).

Bitácoras del Microcosmos 16 hours ago
@Microbehunter Amazing technique!

/"
So it is... I suppose I was actually more right with my second guess - post #2. I'm used to seeing phase contrast images with more obvious bright halos. I'm a bit disappointed really!

Still, here is another vid using phase contrast:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTFLCTqCCUs

Louise
I asked those questions on the YT channel. It got my thinking, why is the background dark? Is it a phase contrast feature?

LouiseScot
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Re: What is the illumination technique Microbehunter used in his last video?

#18 Post by LouiseScot » Wed Oct 13, 2021 4:01 pm

Javier wrote:
Wed Oct 13, 2021 3:54 pm
I asked those
LouiseScot wrote:
Wed Oct 13, 2021 2:25 pm
SWmicro wrote:
Wed Oct 13, 2021 1:11 pm
Just above LouiseScot's question (4hrs after) is this exchange :-

"
Bitácoras del Microcosmos 18 hours ago
Wow, such a great episode. Love those dark field images!

Microbehunter 16 hours ago
Some are phase contrast images, they look like darkfield because the background is dark (and I did a bit of contrast enhancement).

Bitácoras del Microcosmos 16 hours ago
@Microbehunter Amazing technique!

/"
So it is... I suppose I was actually more right with my second guess - post #2. I'm used to seeing phase contrast images with more obvious bright halos. I'm a bit disappointed really!

Still, here is another vid using phase contrast:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTFLCTqCCUs

Louise
I asked those questions on the YT channel. It got my thinking, why is the background dark? Is it a phase contrast feature?
No - I think it's just that you can combine the two and/or adjust contrast

Louise
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Re: What is the illumination technique Microbehunter used in his last video?

#19 Post by Javier » Wed Oct 13, 2021 4:05 pm

By the two you mean dark field and phase contrast?

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Re: What is the illumination technique Microbehunter used in his last video?

#20 Post by LouiseScot » Wed Oct 13, 2021 4:08 pm

Javier wrote:
Wed Oct 13, 2021 4:05 pm
By the two you mean dark field and phase contrast?
yes
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Re: What is the illumination technique Microbehunter used in his last video?

#21 Post by Javier » Wed Oct 13, 2021 4:10 pm

So it is kind of dark field after all, right?

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Re: What is the illumination technique Microbehunter used in his last video?

#22 Post by LouiseScot » Wed Oct 13, 2021 4:22 pm

Javier wrote:
Wed Oct 13, 2021 4:10 pm
So it is kind of dark field after all, right?
Well Oliver said he just adjusted the contrast but the first videos link I posted uses a combination of phase contrast and polarized light with darkfield. I've no experience of using phase contrast myself.

Louise
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Re: What is the illumination technique Microbehunter used in his last video?

#23 Post by Javier » Wed Oct 13, 2021 4:26 pm

LouiseScot wrote:
Wed Oct 13, 2021 4:22 pm
Javier wrote:
Wed Oct 13, 2021 4:10 pm
So it is kind of dark field after all, right?
Well Oliver said he just adjusted the contrast but the first videos link I posted uses a combination of phase contrast and polarized light with darkfield. I've no experience of using phase contrast myself.

Louise
I see. Anyhow, I find the images at 6:42 very beautiful.

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Re: What is the illumination technique Microbehunter used in his last video?

#24 Post by smollerthings » Wed Oct 13, 2021 5:42 pm

Javier wrote:
Wed Oct 13, 2021 3:54 pm
It got my thinking, why is the background dark? Is it a phase contrast feature?
I think he used phase contrast + polarization. When you cross your polarizer and analyzer, the background becomes black. I think...

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Re: What is the illumination technique Microbehunter used in his last video?

#25 Post by smollerthings » Wed Oct 13, 2021 5:45 pm

Actually, one can see the polarizer and analyzer being progressively crossed at 6:35 to 6:45.

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Re: What is the illumination technique Microbehunter used in his last video?

#26 Post by smollerthings » Wed Oct 13, 2021 5:52 pm

Funny how this videos didn't actually look like phase contrast. Maybe the polarization cuts some of the artifacts...

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Re: What is the illumination technique Microbehunter used in his last video?

#27 Post by LouiseScot » Wed Oct 13, 2021 7:10 pm

smollerthings wrote:
Wed Oct 13, 2021 5:42 pm
Javier wrote:
Wed Oct 13, 2021 3:54 pm
It got my thinking, why is the background dark? Is it a phase contrast feature?
I think he used phase contrast + polarization. When you cross your polarizer and analyzer, the background becomes black. I think...
Yeah, could be that though I didn't think live cells affected polarisation though I might be wrong.
Louise
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Re: What is the illumination technique Microbehunter used in his last video?

#28 Post by Javier » Wed Oct 13, 2021 8:15 pm

LouiseScot wrote:
Wed Oct 13, 2021 7:10 pm
smollerthings wrote:
Wed Oct 13, 2021 5:42 pm
Javier wrote:
Wed Oct 13, 2021 3:54 pm
It got my thinking, why is the background dark? Is it a phase contrast feature?
I think he used phase contrast + polarization. When you cross your polarizer and analyzer, the background becomes black. I think...
Yeah, could be that though I didn't think live cells affected polarisation though I might be wrong.
Louise
I know for sure that polarized can be used to observe protozoa. Some of them looks like Christmas trees. Lots of examples on JTTM.

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Re: What is the illumination technique Microbehunter used in his last video?

#29 Post by BramHuntingNematodes » Wed Oct 13, 2021 8:41 pm

Phase contrast is a powerful technique in the right hands. I wonder if part of the popularity of DIC is just that expensive equipment can be substituted for some of the artistry required to sap the most out of phase.
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LouiseScot
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Re: What is the illumination technique Microbehunter used in his last video?

#30 Post by LouiseScot » Wed Oct 13, 2021 10:32 pm

Javier wrote:
Wed Oct 13, 2021 8:15 pm
LouiseScot wrote:
Wed Oct 13, 2021 7:10 pm
smollerthings wrote:
Wed Oct 13, 2021 5:42 pm


I think he used phase contrast + polarization. When you cross your polarizer and analyzer, the background becomes black. I think...
Yeah, could be that though I didn't think live cells affected polarisation though I might be wrong.
Louise
I know for sure that polarized can be used to observe protozoa. Some of them looks like Christmas trees. Lots of examples on JTTM.
Certainly seems to! They must have birefringent granules/crystals/substances in their cytoplasm.

Louise
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