Comparing DIN -> PLAN Achro -> PLAN APO images?

[fibreoptix]

Are there any visual comparisons online that demonstrate the differences between DIN, PLAN Achro and PLAN APO in terms of what to expect?

Overall I just want to gauge what to expect in terms of sharpness and clarity and compare it to price point.

Oh and pond water organisms would be the main specimen of interest if that changes things.

Thanks

[enricosavazzi]

[Pau]

Hi fibreoptix, welcome aboard!

I concur with what Enrico said.

DIN is only a standard specification for finite corrected microscopes (RMS thread, 45mm parfocal distance and 160mm mechanical tube length), the most usual in instruments made in the 50s - 80s decades and still very widespread in school grade microscopes. Nobody still makes DIN plan apos and there are few plan fluorites ones. You can still find excellent used DIN objectives and instruments.

To get good results you don't need the best instruments, plan achromats ("Plan" or "Pl") of reputed makers are good, although Plan Apos are arguably better and much more expensive, Plan fluorites or Plan semi-apos are a good intermediate range.
More info at:
https://www.microscopyu.com/microscopy-basics/introduction-to-microscope-objectives
http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/indexmag.html?http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/artdec00/pjachromat.html

A comparison between pl fluor and pl apo:
http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=123395#123395

For pond life a most important factor is contrast, provided that the whole organism or some of its parts is transparent and colorless in most cases.
You want ro be able to use optical contrast methods: dark field, phase contrast, oblique illumination and DIC are the main ones. DIC is delicate and very expensive even in old used instruments although in many cases the best one. DF and oblique are much more affordable and can provide excellent images, Phase is very powerful highlighting thin structures although easily produces unpleasing halos.
_________________
Pau

[JohnyM]