Re: Nikon, Leica, or Zeiss?

bobmarable@xxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
I'm a hobbiest, and have several scopes, one of which is a Zeiss
Axiostar (the Axiostar and Axiostar Plus are 99.9% the same scope!); I
have the turret phase contrast condenser, 4x, 10x, 40x CP phase
achromat, and 100x phase achroplan objectives, a trinocular head, and
misc. accessories. I like the scope very much--for my uses, it's
excellent, and I like the quality of the stand's mechanics. My only
complaint is a simple one -- it's a Zeiss, and the current model, so
virtually the only source for accessories is "new" -- read "expensive".
Most accessories (objectives, imaging sets, etc.) are in the $500 to
$2500 price range. Similar used parts for older Zeiss models sell
frequently on ebay for $50 to $150. If I were flush with cash, I'd
say get a new Zeiss; if not, get a good used Zeiss Standard, or an
Olympus BH; tons of accessories available for both, very reasonably
priced, and you can have several "bad" $150 purchases for used items,
and still be ahead of one $2000 new item.

Here's a link for a review of an Axiostar in the UK's Micscape online
magazine : http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/indexmag.html.

Bob,

I wasn't flush with cash but I was to the point I was ready to by a
good Pol scope. I chose a Zeiss WL with a centering 40x Pol 85. 16x
Pol, 6.3x Pol , 2.5 Plan Pol and non centering Nikon 1.3 x Plan with an
iris. As my interest are in the larger end of the small world but I
have set o Leitz pol objectives though 80x for the smaller end. I
already had a Zeiss pol stage I chose a centering, rotating biological
stage. It saved some money and it is much easer to use most of the the
time than a pol sage.

I will make several sub stages with Leitz and Zeiss hole patterns that
have the same disk on the biological stage so I can have really quick
changes stages that pop in and out of the centering ring of the stage..


I got a mirror with the scope as well for illuminating the Nikon 1.3x
objective with out the condenser. A mirror also helps with other
lighting problems.

I chose Olympus WHK10x 20L high eye point eyepieces rather than Zeiss
eyepieces for viewing. While the Zeiss eyepieces had more contrasts and
had a bit wider view they would add more than 10% to the cost of the
scope and I already have problems with the camera sing less of the
field of view than the eyepieces. For photo eyepieces I have a 8x Zeiss
Kpl and a 10x WHK Olympus 18L. He didn't have a photo eyepiece that
worked as well as I would like with my Sony W7. The only compliant is I
would like to get the image I capture and the image I see in the
eyepieces to be the same and I have yet to see that happen yet.

I also got an empty insert that would normally have the analyzer and
wave plate in it to put the upper DIC siding prism from my Nachet 300
DIC scope on the fully feature WL transmitted light Pol scope instead
of the Nachet with a fixed analyzer no wave plate, no rotary stage and
less that stellar optics.

Then I got lucky on eBay an bought another WL with an Optivar,
reflected light Pol attachment. A second trinocular head a 12.5x W
Zeiss Pol Kpl eyepiece, a 12.5x W Zeiss Kpl eyepiece quick change
stage and photo stand that cost me $350 delivered. It was from a new
seller on eBay that clearly didn't understand what she was selling but
the risk reward ratio suited me and I got a scope that was clean as a
pin and recently serviced.

After working with WL and it quick change stage and condenser carriers
I don't think I will ever go back to the old ways except for portable
scopes. The same is true for the rotating biological stage. It is sure
a better mouse trap for every thing but measurement and other things
that the sage much remain rock solid in place when it use.

I don't think any other stand is a flexible as Zeiss WL or Universal.
Four bolts hold the stand to the base so it could be turned into a very
sophisticated camera by making a new base that was open below and
modifying one of the may nose pieces to mount a a lens broad.

As it is universals and WLs have is a goo deal stage adjustment
compared most other scopes that have very little or no stage adjustment
at all. That's not important of you look a pond water but the first
time you try to look at a broken bolt it sure is. I expect someday a
stage carrier and a milling machine may rendezvous and gain 5 mm or so
in the distance it can be lowered when something a bit to large to to
fit on the stage comes along.

While eBay may not be the best place to buy a microscope buying parts
and attachments on the wholesale market is nice. Right now I am putting
an Oblique sleeve mount Olympus Achromatic Aplanatic 1.4 NA condense in
a Zeiss condenser carrier and all I need is simple ring with a soft
point set screw that fits the OD of the Olympus condemner with the
outer diameter of the ring turned small enough to fit inside the
condenser carrier with a groove in it to hold it in the 3 centering
screw Zeiss condenser mount. I have to take off all the filters and
pins on the Zeiss condenser carrier but thats a small price to pay to
use the array of condensers I have collected over the years and not
have to go out and buy a new set. If I want to put a Zeiss condenser on
an Olympus scope I think I am S.O.L.

I went down this road a long way with a Leitz Ortholux before I saw the
error in my ways. The Ortholux is still a better camera stand. In my
opinion the more complex condenser and head mounts offset the simpler
objective and stage mounts of the Ortholux. Olympus an Nikon were
scratched before the race started because they didn't have the
comparability I could get with a black SM Dialux and Ortholux or Zeiss
GFL, Standard, Universal, Photoxxxx, etc. If you are looking for Bang
for the Buck AO and Reichert have best showing for the amateur.
Reichert Zetopans are hard to find but they are not expensive when you
do. AO Spencer infinity systems will preform right up there. The
mechanics leave something to be desired but they work.

Best Wishes
Gordon
www.science-info.org
www.couger.com/microscope/links/gclinks.html

.

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