suggestions and questions

Sumguy01 · Post by **Sumguy01** » Mon Jun 03, 2013 8:10 pm

Hi all
I am looking for suggestions on upgrades for objectives and any other advise that you think helpful to get the best performance out of my microscope in the DIC mode .
I have been having a great time looking at micro. life in water samples and trying to get pictures and video of what I am seeing .
It is just a hobby but I am willing to spend a bit for upgrades that will improve the performance of the scope .
The scope is a Nikon Optiphot -2 TL= 160
It has DIC 20x 40x and 100x prisms mounted in the condenser .
My objectives are Nikon plan achro. 20x /0.50 DIC ,40x /.065 DIC , 100x/1.25 DIC .
I have a 60x plan apo. DIC that will be here soon .
Some questions I have are .
Will plan apo. DIC objectives make a big difference ?
How important is it to use DIC specific objectives ?
Also should I stick with Nikon objectives or are there other brands that are better , more reasonably priced and more available ?
Thanks for any info. that you guys can offer .
Sumguy01

curt0909 · Post by **curt0909** » Mon Jun 03, 2013 9:21 pm

Hi,

I have a similar microscope. DIC objectives are not necessary. I prefer Planapo's such as your 60x. Working distance is tighter but the image quality is a great improvement to the DIC achromats. My condenser has a 60x Planapo DIC prism but I've used it successfully with 100x objectives so your 60x should work well with the 100x prism.

You don't need to stick with Nikon objectives but keep in mind that when using other brands the Nikon CFW or CFWN eyepieces will not give the added color correction. This was never an issue for me. I will recommend against the Zeiss 40x Planapo. Optically its superb and worked well with the 40x DIC prism. The issue is that the unusually long threaded end of this objective go too far into the Nikon DIC nosepiece and get hung up when trying to rotate objectives.

Sumguy01 · Post by **Sumguy01** » Tue Jun 04, 2013 11:48 pm

Hi Curt
Thank you for the reply .
I think I will start looking at 40x plan apos.
I am wondering if anyone else has any experience using Nikon plan apos. that do not specify DIC for DIC observation

curt0909 · Post by **curt0909** » Wed Jun 05, 2013 12:48 am

Here are some examples. These were shot with Nikon CFN Plan Apo 20x and 40x(non DIC). The segments that have a strong bluish hue were done on a Reichert Diastar with Zeiss 40x Planapo so disregard them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMDLSYGF7Ec
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbpCxlJ6r6Q

Off topic but you may find this useful in the future. Concerning Nikon phase contrast suitable objectives, I've found that Zeiss Ph2 objectives and Olympus 40 PL and 20 Plan apo PL work seamlessly with the Nikon PH3 annulus.

Sumguy01 · Post by **Sumguy01** » Wed Jun 05, 2013 7:25 pm

Hi Curt
Your vid. clips are great , thanks for the link .
Looks like the objectives will work fine .
I will be looking for a 40x plan apo. to try out soon .
The phase contrast info is much appreciated .
My scope also has phase 1 and phase 3 in the condenser and I will be wanting to upgrade my phase objectives after I get the DIC objectives .
You have been a great help .
Thank you very much .