New guy+new microscope (UPDATE)

smoq · Post by **smoq** » Thu Nov 21, 2013 5:08 pm

First of all, I wanted to give big thanks to Pau for finding a solution to my dslr mounting dillema in form of a Zeiss Projective PK 2.5X. Once I get it I will post pics of the complete setup. Meanwhile, I am playing with my turret condenser and different objectives and I must say I am very satisfied with this Zeiss stand. I think I have one of the newer models though, because on the bottom it says Made in Mexico (or maybe they're had an assembly line there for some time, please correct me if I'm wrong). I still don't know what kind of Standard model this is. May it be that somebody put them together using a Standard 14 stand and heads from different model?

Eddie · Post by **Eddie** » Fri Nov 22, 2013 9:55 am

The latest Zeiss Standards confuse me. In the Black Zeiss Standards there was the Junior, GFL and WL. With the modern ones, they have number...12, 14, 16 etc, I guess depending on how big they are? But most accessories are swappable...heads, condenser, objectives etc.

Pau · Post by **Pau** » Sat Nov 23, 2013 2:58 am

Over the years denomination and parts changed, so it's a confusing matter.

In the grey line (intermediate between the black first models and the last yellowish white) the main denominations I'm aware are:

- Junior and KF: small entry level with round base. Some ones with a fixed simple condenser or with the special opal glass condenser Lumigen with built in incandescent lamp
- Standard 14: fixed four objectives turret and basic stage with lateral knobs or even simple bakelite stage without XY knobs
- Standard 16 and standard RA: fixed five objectives turret and big stage with inferior coaxial knobs
- Standard 18: removable objectives turrets and big stage with inferior coaxial knobs
- WL: larger stand with removable focus block, stage and turret

I some papers the large stands Universal and Photomicroscopes were also called Standards...

14 to 18 models were made in versions with integrated halogen illumination and with rear external changeable light sources and light collimating tubes
There were many variants: pol with rotatable stage, reflected light versions someones with elevated nosepiece.... and some rarer versions like the Std 19.
Heads also came in many kinds of monocular, binocular and trinocular types.

But as you say there are so many variants and interchageable accesories that only Zeiss could tell all marketed models.

Pau · Post by **Pau** » Sat Nov 23, 2013 4:28 am

smoq wrote:... for finding a solution to my dslr mounting dillema in form of a Zeiss Projective PK 2.5X. Once I get it I will post pics of the complete setup.

Sorry, but with the rare (and desirable

) photoeyepiece you bought you haven't the whole mounting solution, just the adequate optics. You still need the empty mechanical parts to put it at the adequate position in the microscope photo port (1) and to connect it to the camera (2).

(1) you need to put the eyepiece shoulder at the right height, likely much higher than the end of your phototube end. Browsing manuals I've found
http://www.microscopy-news.com/download ... mera_e.pdf
page 1-4 part 8.2
---------------------
http://www.zeiss.com/C1256F8500454979/0 ... hy35mm.pdf
page 1-4 part 8.2

Some quotes:
In the Standard 20 one the following part
Use the 23.2 mm dia. adapter (2-1/3) on the trinocular tube 452902 (2-1/6) of the Standard20/25 microscope (image distance 60 mm).
---------------------------
With Standard 20/25 microscope: Use projection lens PK 2.5 (2-1/1) on 60 mm image distance adapter (2-1/3).

So despite I have not direct experience with those models I'm pretty sure that you need an empty tube to raise the eyepiece 60mm over your photo port (but I'm not sure if from the the lower or higher part of it as your trino head has a removable tube).
You likely aren't going to find the original Zeiss part but you can make it, for example cutting an old microscope monocular tube like this ones:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/CARL-ZEISS-MICR ... 461654f86c
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Zeiss-KPL-10x-E ... 58a09a41e0
http://www.ebay.com/itm/LOMO-microscope ... 1c34673441
or maybe with this Leitz adapter if the lenght and external diameter fit
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Leitz-Wetzlar-M ... 3387a07bfa
...and the adequate sleeve, or even with some extension tubes

The goal is parfocality with the viewing eyepieces, so the possibility to alter the height for focussing is very desirable

(2) You need to put the camera sensor at the right height over the eyepiece. Don't use a camera lens over it, you just need an empty space with extension tubes or bellows (but a protective filter to prevent dust on sensor would be a good idea)
Take a look at: www.krebsmicro.com articles, in special at his microscope setups.
Because your Nikon camera induces vibration, a good idea is to avoid direct mechanical coupling with the microscope

Hope this helps

Eddie · Post by **Eddie** » Sat Nov 23, 2013 6:53 am

Thank you Pau for the stand info/rundown!

Smoq: You can also get manuals at the Zeiss site if needed:
http://www.zeiss.com/C1256F8500454979/O ... ls_upright

smoq · Post by **smoq** » Sat Nov 23, 2013 8:07 am

Thanks again Pau. I think I am starting to understand the process. I have a set of Kenko extension tubes for my macro work, but in my understanding, bellows would work better because of focusing ability. What if I pair my extension tubes with a novoflex macro rail that I have (like this)

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/control ... &A=details

If I understand correctly, I would be looking into mountig rig like Charles Kreb in this pic

Pau · Post by **Pau** » Sat Nov 23, 2013 8:49 am

smoq wrote:...I have a set of Kenko extension tubes for my macro work, but in my understanding, bellows would work better because of focusing ability. What if I pair my extension tubes with a novoflex macro rail that I have

Yes, but maybe two extension tubes may be not enough long, and you need that its internal free diameter to be wide enough to surround the eyepiece without direct contact

smoq wrote:If I understand correctly, I would be looking into mountig rig like Charles Kreb in this pic ...

Yes, that's the idea

But the more tricky and important part is to make the adequate adapter to put the eyepiece at the right position over the photoport

yvan_be · Post by **yvan_be** » Sat Dec 14, 2013 11:31 pm

Eddie wrote:The latest Zeiss Standards confuse me. In the Black Zeiss Standards there was the Junior, GFL and WL. With the modern ones, they have number...12, 14, 16 etc, I guess depending on how big they are? But most accessories are swappable...heads, condenser, objectives etc.

Perhaps this helps: www.klaus-henkel.de/standard.pdf

And everything you always wanted to know on Zeiss Standard and more: http://www.mikroskop-online.de/Standard ... riften.htm

There's a smart guy who burns these on CD to earn a quick buck trough Ebay. Some people will do anything for $$$...