Oblique/darkfield condensers for Nikon Labophot Optiphot

Have questions about the equipment used for macro- or micro- photography? Post those questions in this forum.

Moderators: rjlittlefield, ChrisR, Chris S., Pau

zzffnn
Posts: 1896
Joined: Thu May 22, 2014 1:25 pm
Location: Houston, Texas, USA
Contact:

Oblique/darkfield condensers for Nikon Labophot Optiphot

Post by zzffnn »

Thank you for checking this thread and happy new year!

I am wondering what other brands/models of condensers can fit, with no modification or with easy modification, onto my Nikon Labophot 2?

My requirements for the condensers are:

1) specialized for offset oblique, COL or darkfield;
2) >= NA 1.25 for oblique condensers and at least NA 1.0 for dedicated darkfield condensers;

3) have a filter tray;
4) versatile;

5) preferably less than $150, so Leitz Heine (even if it fits) may be too expensive for me.

My other scopes include a LOMO Biolam, a Nikon model G, a AO Spencer series 4. Nikon G and LOMO Biolam can take 37mm pushed-fit condenser. I would be willing to spend more, if a condenser can fit more than one scope of mine.

Please kindly comment. Thank you again!
Selling my Canon FD 200mm F/2.8 lens

zzffnn
Posts: 1896
Joined: Thu May 22, 2014 1:25 pm
Location: Houston, Texas, USA
Contact:

Post by zzffnn »

Nobody has tried such modifications?

Supposedly, one only needs the right dovetail tail adapter. There was one for sale for Labophot/Optiphot, but I could not another one now. Custom machining one should not be too difficult or expensive either.

I will probably try to fit an AO oil darkfield condenser onto my Labophot.
Selling my Canon FD 200mm F/2.8 lens

Pau
Site Admin
Posts: 6064
Joined: Wed Jan 20, 2010 8:57 am
Location: Valencia, Spain

Post by Pau »

A versatile solution that maybe could fit your needs is a phase contrast turret condenser. You can put different DF or oblique stops in the phase positions (even use the high phase rings for DF with low NA objectives). You also can do oblique partially rotating the turret in BF position. Someones have oil immersion upper lenses (those with NA>0.9)
Pau

zzffnn
Posts: 1896
Joined: Thu May 22, 2014 1:25 pm
Location: Houston, Texas, USA
Contact:

Post by zzffnn »

Thank you, Pau.
I am already doing something similar. I would like to fit a dedicated darkfield (e.g., cardioid, toric) or oblique (e.g., LOMO OI-14) condenser onto my Nikon Labophot 2 though, as their light efficiency is better and application is faster and more convenient.
Selling my Canon FD 200mm F/2.8 lens

Post Reply Previous topicNext topic