I didn't want to deliver the bad news. Everyone that is offloading surplus equipment is blithely unaware of the importance of all the stray parts.

Another relevant manual for Leica Zoom Systems https://www.biomarker.hu/sites/default/files/katalogus-fajlok/leica_zoom-systems_techdata_en.pdf It seems the connection module and cable were distributed with the optics carrier but only the cable is available separate. Oddly, none of Leica's imagery s...

That's how I understand it. You may also require the RS232 Adapter-cable 10 447 401 as noted in the manual. Leica Z APOA.jpg In the Leica MacroFluo manual, page 9, I see a few more part numbers, including 10 447 469 M12 cable, 10 m https://downloads.leica-microsystems.com/MacroFluo/Brochure%20or%20F...

Leica Z "APO A" is a discontinued model and the zoom body has its own connectivity module separate from the accessory module you have pictured - see pages 43-45 below. The connectivity seems rather convoluted with warnings attached. https://downloads.leica-microsystems.com/Z16%20APO%20A/User%20Manua...

I picked up a APO 20X 0.75 for a song, $130. You can't buy that resolution, colour sat, contrast anywhere close to that price anywhere else. A quick note, the more recent iterations have a pointier nose which makes lighting a touch less difficult.

OK so my Plan APO can do that, but can I?

Are the lower corners raised w.r.t. the center subject? Out of plane (or should I say out of focus) sections are prone to exaggerated aberrations in lens hacks.

Agreed, those are fantastic images. Do you have an estimate for the size of the big diatom?

It looks to me that the brown scales suffer the most in resolution, perhaps because a red overtone is a bit of an over reach for the system at that magnification.

I suspect it has to do with passing a spectrum of frequencies typically found in audio signals. Check out the wiki article on Litz wire as well. This leads me to believe each of the strands would be lacquer coated. Are the solid copper strands all the same gauge or various. Also, a link explaining a...

Rik, you've referenced a TRS cable at amazon. Inherently, I would expect three channels. Are the solid copper twisted lines isolated from the tinsel wire pair or perhaps the individual wires are coated and the manufacture is confident enough that further isolation is not warranted. Perhaps a photo o...

Tinsel wire

(Just a lucky google hit)

From the leica-microsystems.com link provided by FotoChris, I see they refer to ISO/DIS 18221 as their frame of reference. Here is a link for the 2016 standard - ISO 18221:2016 . The language used by the rep is indeed standard language but not at our preferred granularity. As much as he would like u...

whoa! As a consumer that doesn't know his place, I clearly shouldn't inquire about optical magnification. The car has four tires, what's your problem?

Rik, feel free to delete this

Welcome to the forum. A tripod collar is a suggestion but I don't readily see one that fits. You might be able to repurpose one with a larger diameter and shim the difference. Specs are difficult to come by though. You're not the only one to run into the obvious dysfunction for these setups. Hopeful...