Is anyone here familiar enough with the condenser mount on a Leitz Laborlux K or 12 to be able to tell me how to remove the condenser? While assembling scitch's pile of parts several weeks ago, we wanted to swap condensers between two scopes. It looks like a slide-in dovetail or something close, and should be easy to remove, but neither of the condensers could be coaxed loose.
Since I wasn't familiar with that particular scope I wanted to get a manual or some instructions before we put too much muscle on them.
Since I can't find the correct manual anywhere, what am I missing on the condenser attachment? Is there a locking screw hidden somewhere? Are they probably just stuck, or are they really not removeable. One scope has a darkfield condenser which isn't all that useful for normal observation in a classroom. We need to get our act together before finding a standard condenser to replace it. Thanks!
Tom
Laborlux condenser mount
Moderators: Chris S., Pau, Beatsy, rjlittlefield, ChrisR
That condensor should slide right out. It may be that the grease used to lube the dovetail has polymerized and turned into cement.
A few drops of dry isopropanol perhaps with a little acetone added placed right on the seam may help break it loose. Some penetrating oil could be applied very carefully.
You could VERY carefully warm it a bit. Or keep gentle pressure on it for a while. If there is a locking screw it should be visible, not hidden. But I don't think there is one.
A few drops of dry isopropanol perhaps with a little acetone added placed right on the seam may help break it loose. Some penetrating oil could be applied very carefully.
You could VERY carefully warm it a bit. Or keep gentle pressure on it for a while. If there is a locking screw it should be visible, not hidden. But I don't think there is one.
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Cactusdave
- Posts: 1631
- Joined: Tue Jun 09, 2009 12:40 pm
- Location: Bromley, Kent, UK
Most Leitz condensers are removeable on a simple dovetail sledge. Though I can see part of what looks like a sledge, I'm not sure about this one. I see a small silver knurled knob slightly out of focus at the back on the left at the same level as the condenser centring screws and I'm not sure what that does. Also I see some features on the surface of the condenser which don't look compatible with a simple pull out sledge. Some more photos from above and the sides of the condenser would help confirm. The condenser will certainly be removeable, it's a matter of finding out how.
Leitz Ortholux 1, Zeiss standard, Nikon Diaphot inverted, Canon photographic gear
Leitz Cond
Hi!
Turn the silver knob backwards and pull the Condenser out
( Silver knob have hooks that look it in position )
Regards
Pär Lundqvist
Sweden
Turn the silver knob backwards and pull the Condenser out
( Silver knob have hooks that look it in position )
Regards
Pär Lundqvist
Sweden
Thanks everyone for the suggestions. Par, we loosened all the screws and it still didn't want to move, so I suspect g4lab's idea about the polymerized grease is probably correct. We'll try the acetone or penetrating oil on it next time.
Mike, could you post a couple more shots of the condenser mount? Maybe Dave can see something hiding we missed.
Thanks.
Tom
Mike, could you post a couple more shots of the condenser mount? Maybe Dave can see something hiding we missed.
Thanks.
Tom
Yes, I'll try some of the suggestions and then take some more pics. I think it's a combination of the silver knob and the dry grease. I've played with that silver knob, twisting, pulling, pushing, etc and it wouldn't come loose. It has a dot on it and there's a dot on the scope that can align, but it still won't come out.
I'll wait to get together with Tom again before applying any chemicals to it.
Mike
I'll wait to get together with Tom again before applying any chemicals to it.
Mike