Re: Newcommer Seeks Advice Re Microscope Purchases Made

On Mar 8, 2:26 pm, Kevin Sunley <umsun...@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
Hi there,

Congratulations on the Universal. I actually was watching that same
Universal auction during those few minutes, I kept refreshing hoping
someone would buy it so I didn't have to do it myself. It was a great
deal, and I needed it to go away so I didn't get too tempted to buy it
myself. I don't need another microscope, but sometimes good deals are
too tempting. :-)

I looked at the picture pretty carefully trying to guess what type of
setup was under the covering.

I came up with the idea it was probably used for opaque epi-illumination
of metals, rather than biological epi-fluorescence which was also used
routinely on that type of microscope. Mostly because the cord of the
upper lamp looks thinner than that of one for an arc lamp, likely for a
100W halogen lamp.

There is definitely a centerable epi iris diaphragm there, so that's
good news. I've seen that part alone for close to what you paid.

The rotating x/y stage seems graduated in degrees. This was a top of
the line Zeiss stage. Also would sell for close to $400 in good
condition.

Given that the stage is of the graduated variety, you may have lucked
out and have some type of polarizing setup underneath there. It's hard
to say for sure, the full pol setup used a different type of stage. I
wouldn't want to get ahead of myself thinking that, but all things point
to it at least being used for examination of opaque specimens.

Of course, that being said, the condition of the microscope will be very
important to how useful it is. I have no doubt you'll have more than
got your money's worth in parts, but the overall condition will
determine how great a deal it was.

I'd love to heard what you find on it when it arrives.

Regarding question #2, minerals can be made as "tranparent" thin
sections, or as opaque blocks. It's likely that this will be at least
the majority of what you need for either. Minerals are often viewed
with polarized light, which parts for come at a very high premium.
However they can also be viewed with regular brightfield or darkfield
reflected illumination.

And question #3. The Axioscope is a very good microscope. It is newer
than the Universal, and of about the same quality. Both are excellent
stands. It uses a completely different type of objective than the
Universal. The Universal uses the older 160mm tube length objectives,
while the Axio uses "infinity corrected" lenses. Both have their
advantages/disadvantages, however their are absolutely excellent
objectives available for both. The newer infinity objectives generally
cost substantially more on the used market, and are not as easily
available. However the 160mm lenses are older, no longer supported by
Zeiss, and are only available used.

While better lenses are available for the infinity microcsopes (%light
transmission, working distances, optical corrections, etc.), the
likelyhood of affording one of these lenses which makes the improvements
noticable is very slim for most people. $5-10,000 is not unusual for
these. However a 160mm objective, which is 99% as good may be no more
than $500-1000.

So better is available, if you can afford it. I also prefer the build
quality of the Univeral over those of the Axio-series microscopes.

HTH,

Kevin

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"woden" <nmacau...@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote innews:1173376033.454686.252550@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx:

Hello:

I have been looking over the messages in this group for a week or
two, and, as I have always loved optical devices of all sorts, decided
to get some microscopes (I had an AO Stereo Star 570 on a stand, which
I used for looking at coins, medals, etc.). Following the advice I
saw on the web site, I looked only for used microscopes from
relatively respected name brands (with one exception). So, anyway, in
the last
10 days, I have purchased the following:

3. Zeiss Universal w/some sort of photo attachment/tube, two
illuminators, and three objectives. $400.00 (I got this on a Buy It
Now listing, approximately 3 minutes after it was listed, and the
seller apparently did not identify the objectives - it has now been
shipped, an I should get it in a week - I think I lucked out on this
one.)

Three quick questions:

1. Are these good deals, or do I just think they were? You guys
would certainly know more than I on this.

2. Have I got everything I need for opaque items (e.g. minerals,
etc.); I probably will never get involved with biological slides, etc.

3. I was recently offered the opportunity to buy a Zeiss
Axioscope, with three objectives (I believe they are higher end
objectives, but not Zeiss). Is the Axioscope not a newer model? Is it
as good, better or worse than the Zeiss Universal (or are they simply
used for completely different things)? What do you think an Axioscope
is worth,used, but in excellent condition (reportedly)? A picture of
the Zeiss Axioskop is included in the link above. Is it actually one,
or is it
an Axiostar? Some of the pictures I have seen show models of each
which look the same?

Thanks in advance for any advice or opinions you might have.

Thanks to each of you for your advice and assistence. I am looking
forward to receiving these scopes. In response to Kevin Cunningham's
post, please be advised that the objectives are Olympus MDPlans,
whatever they are. As I understand it then, a Zeiss Axioskop requires
matching Zeiss objectives, correct?

Has anyone heard anything about the Scientific Instruments, Inc.
scope? The auction description indicated that it was made by SI in
the 1980's, using Olympus parts and BalPlan focusing, as a low cost
alternative to the Olympus BH-2 series, and that it is also known as
an "Olympus Beta" microscope. Anyone ever heard of such a scope?

Thanks again.
Woden

.

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