Hello and Nikon Diaphot help needed

Ericthefishman · Post by **Ericthefishman** » Thu Oct 11, 2012 9:26 pm

Hello, I have been lurking on this wonderful site for a while now and although I have learned a lot from reading I decided the best way to learn would be to purchase an old scope and learn by doing. Unfortunately My microscope (Nikon Diaphot) arrived in rough shape and I'm a little out of my league with regards to the repairs. The biggest problem that I'm aware of is the binocular head is snapped off.
I am having a hard time understanding if there is a difference between the heads for similar scopes. The are a lot of identical looking heads on ebay from labphot, optiphot ect.
Are these the same or are the optics and internals different?
Also the lamp house has been modified and I'm totally unfamiliar with what kind of power supply I need. The light is 50w. Any Ideas.
A small filter was included that didn't make the trip. Was this an important part of the modulation contrast system?
I'm very eager and excited to get this guy up and running asap and would truly appreciate any help that you could offer.
I wasn't sure how to post pics but a couple can be seen on my flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ebreptiles/
Please let me know If I have violated any forum rules and I'll address them asap.
Thanks again
Eric

Cactusdave · Post by **Cactusdave** » Fri Oct 12, 2012 1:07 am

I have a Nikon Diaphot, an earlier model than yours, judging by your photos, though some more general photos would be useful to determine the model number. My Diaphot came in a damaged state including the binocular head sheared off, which (to my surprise

) is obviously an accident that happens in labs. To be honest it was way above my competence to fix and I resorted to a small professional microscope service firm. I established with them via photos, the extent of the repairs needed and a service man made a home visit to effect the repairs and clean and set up the microscope. The binocular head and fitting ring came from another Nikon 'scope, so there is a degree of interchangeability.

That was before I knew about this site and the microscope club I belong to. With their mutual aid I could have done it all myself with a bit of time and locating the parts, but I don't regret employing a professional. He turned a microscope that was basically sold as scrap into a functioning instrument in a couple of hours.

If you happened to be based oin the UK I could help you more with names of people to contact, but I suspect you are in the US.

RogelioMoreno · Post by **RogelioMoreno** » Fri Oct 12, 2012 6:07 am

Eric,

I think you can use the binocular head from a Nikon Labophot or Optiphot finite binocular head (you will have to unscrew the binocular part and replace your damaged part), on ebay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nikon-Binocular ... 35bfdf572b

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nikon-Binocular ... 1c2bffd3b4

The filter look like a diffuser, let us know the diameter (in mm).

The lamp was modified to use connectors like Zeiss use, I have an Axioplan 12v 100w power supply with that connectors; but I think it is better to try to get a external power supply from Nikon (you will have to change the connector) or Zeiss.

Rogelio

Ericthefishman · Post by **Ericthefishman** » Fri Oct 12, 2012 7:30 am

Thanks for the quick informative replies.
I added more pics. Sorry for the quality they are from my phone.

Cactusdave I already had a local professional scheduled to come and maintenance and clean the scope but when it arrived with the head snapped off and no power supply I had to push the service back. I'm on a very tight budget so I'm planning to swap the head out myself. I also need to find a power supply and then I plan to have a pro run through the internals, clean, and align it. My only worry is that the bino part attached to the scope is stripped on. One of the screws is rusted out pretty bad. I'm moderately handy but it is a bit frightening to use tools near such beautiful glass

Also the seller forgot to send the large stage that was attached and has promised to ship it to me.

Rogelio I was already trying to decide between the 2 exact same heads that you linked to

They say great minds think alike. I was leaning toward the one with the CFWN10 eye pieces. Are these better or worse than the CFW10s that are on the broken one?
I'm not sure of the mm of the filter but I'll let you know when I find out.

I really appreciate all of your help and I must admit I have seen some amazing images from the both of you and hope to one day get similar results.

Let me know if you need better or more specific pics. Or if you have any suggestions for removing the stripped screw. Other things I may need?

Thanks
Eric

Cactusdave · Post by **Cactusdave** » Fri Oct 12, 2012 9:43 am

Thanks for the extra pictures. Your microscope looks like one of the earlier versions of the Diaphot, the Nikon Diaphot-TMD with finite optics and 160mm tube length in fact identical to mine. It looks like you have the long working distance phase condenser, and, provided there are no issues with them, a good set of phase optics. The microscope is designed to work with Nikon CF objectives and eyepieces. I use CFWN X10 eyepieces and they give a suberb view. It would be interesting to know what is written on the objectives. The front camera mount has a Nikon F bayonet fitting which is easily adapted for a DSLR. I use a Canon myself. The in-microscope magnification is x2.5 at the front camera port. The side port was intended to mount a video camera or large format film back. Check the pull out levers on the side of the microscope are working. They control the light path to the various ports and to the eyepieces and can become stuck if not used for a long period. The manual for this model is available in PDF format here http://www.boycesci.com/Manuals/Diaphot-TMD.pdf

I am a little concerned about the mounting dovetail for the binocular head. This looks to me to have had the same kind of shear damage mine had and will need to be replaced. As Rogelio suggest parts from an Optiphot or Labophot will probably fit, I think that's where the repairman got the part for mine, before a new binocular can be fitted. You or your repairman will need to get those three screws out at some point, though I will leave advice on how to do that to others.

Ericthefishman · Post by **Ericthefishman** » Fri Oct 12, 2012 10:08 am

The condenser is a hoffman modulation contrast condenser. I haven't been able to find a lot of info about it but I believe that it is similar to DIC but designed to work through plastic petri dishes on inverted scopes. I may be incorrect and was hoping that you guys could help me out with better understanding what I have/need when its put back together.
2 of the objectives I think are for phase contrast?
PH1 PLAN 10 0.30 DL 160/.02
PH2 20DL 0.4 160/0.2
and 2 are hoffman modulation contrast?
HMC 20 LWD 0.4A 160/0.2
HMS 40 LWD 0.5 NA 160/0.2
The condenser has matching settings
PC 10
PC 20
HMC20
HMC40
Please don't be shy about schooling me if I'm incorrect. I'm here to learn. the objectives look well used and I am not sure how to assess them without first purchasing a new bino and power supply.
The pullout levers are a bit stiff but they can move. The one next to the head is locked. I was hoping to ask the tech about all of this during the maintenance. Thanks for everything you have already been a huge help.
Eric

Cactusdave · Post by **Cactusdave** » Fri Oct 12, 2012 1:38 pm

As you say, Hoffman Modulation Contrast, is used to enhance the contrast of unstained samples in plastic culture vessels. It doesn't give as 'pretty' an image as DIC, but it's interesting and nice to have to play with. This is what Nikon has to say about Hoffman Contrast http://www.nikoninstruments.com/en_GB/I ... n-Contrast This link has some interesting comparisons of Hoffman Modulation with DIC, phase contrast and Olympus' relief phase contrast. http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/ind ... phase.html

Ericthefishman · Post by **Ericthefishman** » Fri Oct 12, 2012 8:52 pm

I think I have the bino figured out but I'm still not sure that I understand the best way to set up the power supply. The light is 50w. and I think 12v? Thanks to your help I believe that its been re wired to work with a zeiss power supply. Would this one work?
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll ... :1123#shId
Does anyone know if this wild power supply would work? It looks like it might use the same plugs.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wild-Microscope ... 1e7320db72
If not does anyone have any other suggestions? I couldn't find an inexpensive way to get the 4 pin nikon plug, or the actual power plug from the scope. That's why I'm looking at just buying a zeiss unit. I'm trying to get it done as cheap as possible without creating a fire hazard. Thanks for sharing so much info Cactusdave.
You and the other people on this forum are the coolest;)

RogelioMoreno · Post by **RogelioMoreno** » Fri Oct 12, 2012 9:39 pm

I checked the diameter of the connectors of a Zeiss´s lamphouse and it is 4mm.

A power supply like the following would be nice (it has the mating connector); but it is too expensive:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/12V-100W-Haloge ... 1c242feacb

Rogelio

RogelioMoreno · Post by **RogelioMoreno** » Fri Oct 12, 2012 9:49 pm

The following Zeiss could works if your connectors have the 4mm diameter (as the Zeiss lamphouse that I checked):

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Carl-Zeiss-Ligh ... 2ec1ddc92c

The seller accepts offers.

Based on the following auction the price is around $100:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Carl-Zeiss-12V- ... 7675.l2557

Rogelio

Ericthefishman · Post by **Ericthefishman** » Sat Oct 13, 2012 5:29 am

Thanks Rogelio,
Is the Zeiss that I linked to just not going to work? Or is it just not your preference? I'm trying to keep it as close to $100 as possible. I'll keep my eyes open for an auction as it seems that the buy it now/ offer items are very ambitiously priced.

Cactusdave,
I ordered an adapter at the same time as the scope and I clearly purcased the wrong one. Could you please point me in the right direction. I'm very excited to have found someone that has the same scope and I hope you'll let me know if I'm pestering you too much

You guys are both amazing
Thanks
Eric

RogelioMoreno · Post by **RogelioMoreno** » Sat Oct 13, 2012 5:54 am

Eric,

The Zeiss that you pointed in the link could works, do you check the diameter of your connectors to be sure that they are 4mm?

Does the microscope has internal power supply?

Rogelio

Cactusdave · Post by **Cactusdave** » Sat Oct 13, 2012 10:40 am

This http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/High-precisi- ... 889wt_1163 is the knd of adapter you will need to use a Canon DSLR on the front mount of the Diaphot-TMD. The position of the front mount makes attaching a camera a little awkward. It may be easier to mount the adapter to the camera first and then mount it to the microscope. Check the alignment is correct as you offer the camera and adapter to the opening. You will also need a remote release specific to the model of Canon camera you intend to use. These differ between models, but are readily available on Ebay. Get the wired type, not the infra red wireless type as the IR receiver is obscured when the camera is mounted to the microscope. Use the camera in full manual or Av mode.

With a Canon camera 40D model or later, you could also control the camera from a computer using Breeze software http://www.breezesys.com/DSLRRemotePro/index.htm or from certain Android tablet computers http://dslrcontroller.com/download.php This will give you the advantage of seeing the LiveView image on a larger screen which assists with focusing, image composition and stacking and stitching, though it is not absolutely necessary. All my pictures have been taken without using a tethered computer display.

Ericthefishman · Post by **Ericthefishman** » Sat Oct 13, 2012 4:25 pm

Thanks Rogelio,
The plugs are 4mm and there are two coming out of the one 50w light. The microscope does have an internal power supply but I don't have the plug or the correct 4 pin nikon connector for the lamp to test it with. The seller of the zeiss power supply that I linked to offered to sell it for $100. If I don't find something better in the next day or two I'm probably going to buy it.

Cactusdave thanks for the link,
I am going to order one. I am using an older Canon XTI and won't probably have the funds to upgrade for a while. It gets the job done for now. I also have a pretty cool remote shutter. I think it's called Phottix or something like that. It plugs into the camera and I can put it in the hotshoe or just let it dangle. It has 100yards range and can focus, bulb, delay, ect. I think it also has a shutter release on the attached part but I haven't used it that way before.

Thanks
Eric