BS-3090 18:1 zoom stereo.

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apochronaut
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BS-3090 18:1 zoom stereo.

#1 Post by apochronaut » Tue Dec 14, 2021 2:42 am

If you look at this previous thread viewtopic.php?f=24&t=14384&p=114876#p114876, there was some interest in me providing an evaluation of this relatively new high end stereo microscope model from China. Some remarketers are cruising over $10,000 for it but since it is a 135X zoom stereo, that is a commandable price given what the big 4 want for similar performance.
DHL took their time and the 2 box shipment became split, so the main box housing the 3090 just arrived today..
I haven't had enough time to give it a heavy workout but here are the preliminaries.

The shipping carton is 21" X 24" X 28", large enough to put a small dryer in. The elements of the microscope were extremely well packed and secure. It could have dropped off the back of a truck and taken 50 tumbles and the securely packed parts would have survived. All parts were in fitted compartments in large cell, stiff but pliable foam, not styrofoam.
The primary 1X planapo objective weighs 3.3 lbs. and it's front lens is 60mm across : bigger than a chunky photo lens. By comparison, the 1X planapo of the Cycloptic weighs just over 1/4 lb. with a 34mm front lens. I am not knocking the Cycloptic, it is a great microscope and I use one and recommend them as a high quality low cost stereo but I was taken aback by just how huge the 1X planapo is on this microscope.It's the size of a 10oz. coffee mug!
When I can, I will post some images but I am swamped right now. Everything about this microscope looks impressive and the view I have seen so far : excellent.

PeteM
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Re: BS-3090 18:1 zoom stereo.

#2 Post by PeteM » Tue Dec 14, 2021 3:34 am

Sounds like a terrific scope, Phil. 18:1 boggles the mind.

Scarodactyl
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Re: BS-3090 18:1 zoom stereo.

#3 Post by Scarodactyl » Tue Dec 14, 2021 5:10 am

Congrats! I figure if it impresses you it is truly impressive. I'll look forward to your images.

smollerthings
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Re: BS-3090 18:1 zoom stereo.

#4 Post by smollerthings » Tue Dec 14, 2021 12:13 pm

Oh my 3lb... Can't wait to see the images

einman
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Re: BS-3090 18:1 zoom stereo.

#5 Post by einman » Fri Jul 08, 2022 5:25 pm

Looking forward to your evaluation!

apochronaut
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Re: BS-3090 18:1 zoom stereo.

#6 Post by apochronaut » Fri Jul 08, 2022 9:25 pm

In the queue. Not enough sous-chefs around here.

einman
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Re: BS-3090 18:1 zoom stereo.

#7 Post by einman » Sun Nov 20, 2022 10:03 pm

Any updates?

lorez2
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Re: BS-3090 18:1 zoom stereo.

#8 Post by lorez2 » Tue Nov 22, 2022 1:47 am

Where is this model available ?

lorez2
Nikon 80i

einman
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Re: BS-3090 18:1 zoom stereo.

#9 Post by einman » Tue Nov 22, 2022 5:05 pm

It is a BS Scientific scope. Well, I probably should not make that conclusion as it seems to appear under various brand names. With an NA of 0.15 that makes it comparable to a Leica M165 or an Olympus SZX16. It is in rather impressive company, especially given the price of those scopes used exceed the price of the BS-3090 by several times. That is why I am anxious to hear his final evaluation as I have been shopping for a scope in the range of 0.15 na.

Scarodactyl
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Re: BS-3090 18:1 zoom stereo.

#10 Post by Scarodactyl » Tue Nov 22, 2022 6:14 pm

einman wrote:
Tue Nov 22, 2022 5:05 pm
comparable to a Leica M165 or an Olympus SZX16.
It os a very direct clone of the smz18, or maybe even partially third shift production. It does seem very badass, and while IXm extremely happy with my Wild m10 I'd definitely buy one if I won the lottery.

einman
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Re: BS-3090 18:1 zoom stereo.

#11 Post by einman » Tue Nov 22, 2022 7:24 pm

Scarodactyl wrote:
Tue Nov 22, 2022 6:14 pm
einman wrote:
Tue Nov 22, 2022 5:05 pm
comparable to a Leica M165 or an Olympus SZX16.
It os a very direct clone of the smz18, or maybe even partially third shift production. It does seem very badass, and while IXm extremely happy with my Wild m10 I'd definitely buy one if I won the lottery.
Yeah- I have seen it branded and priced as much as $15000!

I generally use a Leica M80 which I am happy with. While the resolution(na=0.103) is not much better than my Nikon SMZ-U or even a B&L SZ7 the color, contrast, brightness and FOV are phenomenal. In addition, I have several very expensive add-ons ie lenses, led lighting, stands etc that will most likely keep me leaning to Leica. I am always on the lookout to improve my primary scope.

On another note, do you know what the NA of the M10 is? I have looked everywhere but never found a definitive answer. That scope has been on my list for some time.

apochronaut
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Re: BS-3090 18:1 zoom stereo.

#12 Post by apochronaut » Tue Nov 22, 2022 10:42 pm

I bought the scope when the money was at hand, mainly because I figured it would be my last stereo and I rightly figured the price would escalate.
For a number of reasons, I have had to limit my microscope use , of all types, since I bought it but soon intend to liberate more time to put it to the use I intended : mostly moss and lichen microscopy. I need to build a better space for it, which will come to the fore in the context of other renovations that have to take place here.

My reference point isn't as high as either Einman's or Scarodactyl's since prior to buying the BS-3090, my best tricked out scope was an SZ 7. All I can say is that the BS-3090 is a completely different beast. The N.A. of .15 seems legit and the higher malgnifications, if well lit lift the instrument into an elite category. It is nicely ergonomic and I'm glad I blew over 5,000.00 bucks (CDN. albeit) on it when I did. It would be close to 8 now.
I'll try to post some images of it and hopefully through it a.s.a.p.
My general consensus is that, if you are looking for a +100X stereo with apochromatic imaging at a good price, I can't see how you could do any better in a new instrument.

Scarodactyl
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Re: BS-3090 18:1 zoom stereo.

#13 Post by Scarodactyl » Wed Nov 23, 2022 12:56 am

einman wrote:
Tue Nov 22, 2022 7:24 pm
On another note, do you know what the NA of the M10 is? I have looked everywhere but never found a definitive answer. That scope has been on my list for some time.
I think the MZ Apo was probably specced the same, which was rated for 600lp/mm (ie NA 0.2) with the 1.6x objective. Given that NAs are pretty much always strictly linear in Leica's lineup of apo stereo objectives that would suggest an achievable NA of 0.125 with the 1x objective which seems reasonable. It was very usable with 20x eyepieces.

einman
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Re: BS-3090 18:1 zoom stereo.

#14 Post by einman » Wed Nov 23, 2022 4:45 am

apochronaut wrote:
Tue Nov 22, 2022 10:42 pm
I bought the scope when the money was at hand, mainly because I figured it would be my last stereo and I rightly figured the price would escalate.
For a number of reasons, I have had to limit my microscope use , of all types, since I bought it but soon intend to liberate more time to put it to the use I intended : mostly moss and lichen microscopy. I need to build a better space for it, which will come to the fore in the context of other renovations that have to take place here.

My reference point isn't as high as either Einman's or Scarodactyl's since prior to buying the BS-3090, my best tricked out scope was an SZ 7. All I can say is that the BS-3090 is a completely different beast. The N.A. of .15 seems legit and the higher malgnifications, if well lit lift the instrument into an elite category. It is nicely ergonomic and I'm glad I blew over 5,000.00 bucks (CDN. albeit) on it when I did. It would be close to 8 now.
I'll try to post some images of it and hopefully through it a.s.a.p.
My general consensus is that, if you are looking for a +100X stereo with apochromatic imaging at a good price, I can't see how you could do any better in a new instrument.
Well, even at $8000 based on your early observations it would be worth it. I am guessing the only negative might be lack of accessories designed specific to that model. Even so--I would be interested.

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