This week I managed to buy my 3rd microscope, a CX40 in pristine condition w. 5 plans, phase-contrast and a fluorescence illuminator(!). The epi-fluorescence was really the reason why I pulled the trigger (and the price) since I have very similar option in terms of features (Nikon E400).
Testing the epi-fluorescence I managed to get everything working, and I am super-happy and over the moon with my new toy. The microscope was supplied with the manual for the scope itself, the vertical illuminator (CX-RFA or RFL, the manual says two different things). It came with a new Hg-burner, but no ND-filters and a single CX-DMG fluorescence cube. I'm really surprised regarding how difficult it is to find manuals and general info for microscopes of this vintage, given how common they are. I have a couple of questions, but I will limit myself to inquires about the fluoro-part here (I'll save some others for another post).
1. It seems impossible to find ND-filters for the illuminator on eBay or anywhere for that matter, they are named 20ND25-W and 20ND6-W in the manual. Basically a circular filter in a plastic frame (drop-in). I was thinking to perhaps buy a ND-filter of similar diameter and 3D-print a frame. Does anyone know the dimensions of the original part or at least the diameter of the filters in use? My eyes are really strained from yesterdays session (aligning the burner etc), so I really want to have the option to work with ND-filters in the future.
Thorlabs seem to have a good selection with some different diameters.
2. Is it possible to use this illuminator for brightfield observation? I found a "OLYMPUS U-MBF3 BRIGHTFIELD CUBE" (on eBay), which I guess is essentially a conventional half-reflecting mirror instead of a dichroic mirror. But I think the cube does not work with my basic illuminator, since it lacks the dovetail of the CX-DMG/DMB cubes. (Are U-cubes for the more advanced illuminator?). A dead link says should work with a 0.5% transmission ND filter in BF-mode.
I have a "dummy" cube in the other position, which is simply just a piece of metal blocking the light. As far as I can tell, the only two options mentioned in the manual are CX-DMG and CX-DMB. I was at least lucky to have one of them, as they seem difficult to find.
I would be interested to work with brightfield occasionally: imaging of semiconductors components, butterfly-wings and the like (probably also for focus stacking).
I always get fantastic help here, so I hope you will not let me down
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