Microscopy
MICROSCOPES
Leitz Monocular ~1899 - 1907
I have long been interested in microscopy and over the years have collected a varied selection of instruments. Some of the photomicrographs shown on these pages were taken through a Watson "Bactil" binocular/monocular (convertible) microscope of about 1954 (the same age as myself!), fitted with a quadruple nosepiece. This, together with a Zeiss Greenough stereo microscope was the first of my microscope acquisitions. As you can see from the list below, it was certainly not the last. Click on the links for a page on each instrument:
Zeiss
Standards modified for Leitz DIC Open University McArthur Microscope Experimental DIY Macroscope - links to postings on Photomacrography.net forum Prior Monocular - article in Micscape Magazine Natural History Museum Microscope
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TIPS, TECHNIQUES & CURIOSITIESLinks to pages with useful (hopefully!) information PhotomicrographyI started out using an old Kodak Instamatic 33 adapted to fit the microscope. With this, it is necessary to produce the image at infinity, (I used to project the image onto the ceiling!) before attaching the camera, as the camera lens is still in place and there is no through the lens viewfinder on the camera and no focus adjustment. Essentially, it is used as a film holder with a shutter. Exposure is by judgment and a little luck! Most of the pictures on this site, however, have been taken with a digital camera, which is a far easier option. How I attach my camera to my various microscopes How I use flash for photomicrography Here is a presentation from 2009 on my approach to photomicrography (opens via Google Documents viewer) Home Made Phase ContrastPhase contrast objectives can be expensive, so wouldn't it be nice to make one's own. Of course you could try etching your own phase plates, but hydrofluoric acid is not nice stuff. An alternative is to use a phase plate of plain glass with a sooted pattern on the plate. This has been used commercially as "Anoptral Phase Contrast", but can easily be approached as a DIY project. Here is an article describing the technique, with links to transcripts of original references from 1953: No Suitable Phase Contrast Condenser?Setting up phase contrast without a phase condenser MicrophotographyNot to be confused with Photomicrography, this is the art of making very small photographs, usually on a microscope slide. This was a popular novelty in the 19th Century. Here is my collection of microphotographs Immobilising SpecimensTry a drop of lidocaine throat spray -better than benzocaine because benzocaine is not very water soluble, and crystallises, meaning specimens then have to be washed. Aquarium Slides |
