microscope info required

I have had a Lomo R25 for many years with many accessories which has just been dug out of a cupboard to play with. The extras include phase contrast, darkfield, adjustable offset condenser, as well as the original Abbey condenser. A couple of APO objectives in 20 and 40 X and eyepieces from X5 to X15, plus Kohler illumination. I have just bought a Vickers M12 body, epi illuminator and a set of Vickers objectives for it. The 20, 40 and 100 OI are all Microplans labeled MET and strain free. The Microplan MET 6 X is not quite compatible as it is infinity and I have ordered a 16mm parfocal extender as the top end of the lens fouls the inside of the turret and stops it rotating. I have fitted it in the working position and it works perfectly for my purposes. The parfocal extender will be vital as the short lens length even with its long working distance means the other objectives will foul the stage. The epi illuminator has had an adaptor made to take a LED torch and works well, except the two iris diaphragms are not exactly on the optical axis, should they be offset?

Looks like a good acquisition

… if I understand your question correctly, the diaphragms should be aligned on the same optical axis.

That said; people do like playing around with offset lighting !!

A photo or two of the set-up would help.

MichaelG.

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 05/09/2023 14:06:45

Here's a pic of the microscope, with four NOS objectives, the total cost has come to £80. I had to get an adaptor made to fit the Lomo heads, monocular, binocular and the trinocular, shown, and the plastic adaptor for the 1W LED torch for the epi. The cheapo Chinese 5 Mp CCD would be better if I hadn't misplaced the driver disc. I believe that the iris diaphragms are adjustable, but hesitate to move them without some advice. The 20,40 and 100 have very little clearance when in use which makes the sprung noses very important. I would like to get an 80 dry LWD, but one of the Chinese ones on the market would cost twice my outlay so far. I have tried a Lomo 40 0.85 APO biological objective and it is nothing like as good as the Vickers on this type of microscope.

Here is the Microplan 6 0.1 MET infinity objective, it is obvious why it needs extending from the turret.

Thanks for the photos … Vickers ‘scopes of that vintage are very fine instruments

Let me know what the camera is, and I may know of a driver to suit.

I will be interested to know how that ‘infinity’ objective performs in an unfamiliar environment.

MichaelG.

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P.S. __ it was actually detail pictures of the illuminator I wanted [in the hope of better-answering your question] … but I’m pleased to see the others.

Here it is, the four position nose turret is integral. The two chrome levers are at the left end, the straight knurled knob next to the right lever slides about 5/16" axially moving a lens in the tube and the beam splitting mirror control is by the nosepiece. This is probably an early example as most I have seen are L shaped to save room. My test of the infinity 6X on this microscope had excellent results, and I was unable to fault it, maybe low power makes shortcomings harder to detect.

Edited By old mart on 05/09/2023 19:32:39

Great news about the objective

Still slightly confused about the illuminator and irises

… are you saying that they are are just misaligned, or is one [or both] sticky ?

MichaelG.

The other info I would like is about a Watson objective that I have bought on ebay cheaply.

WATSON

PARA

X60

3mm NA.85

Any ideas what it is would be appreciated.

Having two types of microscope does mean it will work on one, at least.

 I suspect that the irises are missaligned, free moving, but I don't know how they are intended to work.

Edited By old mart on 05/09/2023 19:56:56

Edited By old mart on 05/09/2023 19:57:48

The Watson Para range is generally a good objective

x60 and NA 0.85 suggests that it is ‘High Dry’ … is there a coverslip thickness mentioned ?

0.17 would be typical

MichaelG.

The Watson PARA X60 came today. It does not shine with the epi illuminator on the Vickers, but is excellent on the biological Lomo. It has an air gap of about 1mm from cover slips. I am delighted with my £20 outlay.