PREVIEW YG Archive - 2006 - July-December +----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 31592 From: "Gordon Couger" Date: Sat Jul 1, 2006 Subject: Re: Mounting insects? Jay, Xylene is the usual solvent for balsam. You thin it as little as you can to get it to infiltrate the insect. The insect has to be free of water. Dehydration is usually done with ever stronger concentrations of ethyl alcohol. But getting and keeping 100% alcohol outside a university or some other institution is difficult. In theory you can remove water from 95% alcohol, Ever Clear at the liquor store with slaked lime Calcium Oxide that is heated to drive off all the water of hydration. It may work with Copper Sulphate as well. I don't know how much or how many times you would have to change the lime to get all the water out. You can get anhydrous acetone and dehydrate the insect in that and then replace that with xylene and then with balsam and xylene and drive the xylene out with gentle heat. I have no idea how acetone will affect the insects it is very aggressive and takes out all the fats, lipids and fat soluble parts. I don't know if the insect would hold together through the process. Gordon +--------- 31593 From: "emeylan" Date: Sat Jul 1, 2006 Subject: Re: Gigital Imaging I suppose you mean "Digital Imaging" Based of the experience of many of my customers, and some are really photography experts, digital imaging is not yet equal and definitly not better than film. Maybe polaroid, because polaroid is yesterday history, but a 35mm film image is still way better than a digital image. The film processing has disadvantage of having to wait until the film has all been used, film processing, chemicals..... But film still has a resolution that digital cameras cannot match yet. Digital imaging has the advantage of having immediate result, storing in computer, cataloging, emailing possibilities.... But for long term storage, film and paper photography is still nr 1. Computer imaging is not yet fully proof for long time archiving. Every three years, operating systems changes, tapes, floppys, every storage media changes. CD's, which is one of the last best storage media, are known to go bad after 8 -10 years. There is no computer media to archive photography 100% sure for more than ten years. All serious companies and institutions I know who need to archive images for a long time, do still use film and paper. :-) emile +--------- 31594 From: "Gordon Couger" Date: Sat Jul 1, 2006 Subject: Re: Gigital Imaging Hi Mel, Digital imaging will capture all the detail a microscope can resolve. It is different than film and the two never will be equal. Pixels will not be as small a silver grains in film in the foreseeable future with the technology we now use. There will always be pixeltion problems until they get a very great deal smaller. On the side of digital imaging it is good enough for most work and publishing. For example you can adjust the exposer in real time by watching the histogram. There is no film cost you can take a lot more pictures. The digital darkroom is much more flexible than the chemical one. YOU GET THE PICTURE NOW!! Archival storage requires a very strong commitment to making multiple copies and recopying every thing every few years to new media. Point and shoots are easier to use and dSLRs give better pictures. The difference in the image is not as large as it used to be. It always seems the camera that takes the best pictures is lacking in it software features. Gordon +------------- 31595 From: "forgerii" Date: Sat Jul 1, 2006 Subject: Re: Tiyoda Field Scope Good score! I saw one of these at the Ag school in Tono, Iwate, Japan in 1996. I thought it was real cute. I have never before seen one for sayl. Tiyoda scopes are very common in Japan. They are the MOST Common scope in High Schools. John +------------- 31596 From: "Jay Stanley" Date: Sat Jul 1, 2006 Subject: Re: Mounting insects? Thanks Gordon :) +---------- 31597 From: "Jay Stanley" Date: Sat Jul 1, 2006 Subject: Re: Tiyoda Field Scope John, Thanks, any idea what the oculars looked like? I found an old pic on my computer of a Kyowa field scope and judging from the small pic they are the same. However this picture still doesn't give me a clue what the lens I have is. Thanks Jay +-------- 31598 From: "leitzscope" Date: Sat Jul 1, 2006 Subject: Olympus photo eyepieces? Hi everyone I have two pairs of Olympus eyepieces. They are marked: P7x and P15x, also have Bi marked on the rim. Are these photo eyepieces? Ray +-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- +-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 32407 From: "too_many_tools" Date: Sep 1, 2006 Subject: Re: Popularity of Amateur Astronomy vs. Microscopy Very good question. I have interests in both areas as I suspect many of us do. I think the emphasis on astronomy in the United States is because of the Space program. I also note that my impression is that microscopy has a stronger following in Great Britian...and the reason why? The sad thing is that I see fewer and fewer kids interested in either hobby than I did years ago. TMT "jerr_pso" wrote: > I've often wondered why amateur astronomy is so popular and amateur > microscopy is not (at least here in the U.S.). +------------- 32408 From: "Dale J. Chatham" Date: Sep 1, 2006 Subject: Re: Popularity of Amateur Astronomy vs. Microscopy Might I ask a rather simple question? What sparked your interest in microscopy? Astronomy? When I was 4, my mother bought me a microscope for Christmas. When I was 5, it was a telescope. Both instruments would go for less than $100 today. However, I was immediately hooked on both. My point is, each and every one of us is empowered to spark this interest in the next generation. In fact, I'd submit that we are *responsible* for this in the next generation (or second). So, why not take some action, even if it is somewhat limited. The tobacco companies knew/know when to hook the next generation, why not take their lead? +----------- 32409 From: "Gregg Kleinberg" Date: Sep 1, 2006 Subject: Re: Refurbishing AO Cycloptic stereoscope Hello Stephen, I have serviced hundreds of Cycoloptics in my lifetime, and have never used a bead of epoxy to "reinforce" original prism cement - however, I cannot see how it would compromise the optical performance with a 100 micron bead or fillet surrounding the base of the prism. Keep in mind the diameter of the optical path is really only a few millimeters at largest, and doesn't come near the edges of the prism. The only concern, is that the epoxy bead be even and cure simultaneously. If not even, or if one side cures before the other, I could see that additional stresses are applied - possibly moving the prism out of alignment. You might want to consider the old adage here: "If it's not broke, don't fix it". Instead, trace the base of the prism with a pencil - if you ever need to re-cement, you now have a location to reference. Good Luck, Gregg +------------ 32410 From: "Gregg Kleinberg" Date: Sep 1, 2006 Subject: Re: Popularity of Amateur Astronomy vs. Microscopy Great points, Dale! Just the thought I had when I read the other posts regarding interest of our younger generations. Since my daughters entered Elementary School (kindergarten!) in 1994, I have been bringing in all manner of optical and video and digital microscopes - with increasing complexity over the years, of course. I was able to borrow a research phase contrast scope and digital PAXcam camera for a unit on live cell investigation in my older daughters' Honors Lab Biology class, last year (her Junior year in high school). We were able to view live beasties, snap stills, and film AVI movies - all of which the instructor (who is also the Bio Department Head) was able to keep for future classroom use. The kids that have been with my daughter since Kindergarten were the ones that first referred to me as "The Microscope Man", hence my moniker. There are clearly several individuals, my daughter included, who are on a scientific path to life - she wants to be a veterinarian, one plans on being an MD, and another is interested in medical research. There may be other passive interests that remain in this group - if I had any small part of it, then I can be truly pleased. Yes, we are responsible for fostering interest in our offspring, on a variety of levels. Much tougher to do today, with our busy lifestyles, both parents out working, and competition from video and audio media. Gregg "Dale J. Chatham" wrote: > ...My point is, each and every one of us is empowered to spark this > interest in the next generation. In fact, I'd submit that we are > *responsible* for this in the next generation (or second). +-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- +-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 33729 From: Mike Whittome Date: Dec 1, 2006 Subject: Re: Used scopes vs new Chris, this is a good scope and has the wide field 10x eyepiece. We service 50 or more a year and the only thing that goes wrong is the top stop on the focus cam goes out. Ask if the focus cam drive is all in good shape, what warranty you get and if there is a return policy. If all is a go, get it. for the price it is a real solid scope. Used mostly in K12 edu settings. The 10 and 43x are all you will need. American Optical Ao 60 Cat. #RC003 for $115 Regards, Mike +---------------- 33730 From: "rvanwezel" Date: Dec 1, 2006 Subject: Re: Centrifuge/sieving Not harmful if you're spinning at low speed, generally ok at 1000- 1500rpm with 15cm radius rotors. But some things just don't sink. Another point, when concentrating organisms, they go quickly in shock. Sensitive organisms simply collapse, dinoflagellates start to exudate defence material, really all kind of things happen. Some critters however do just fine. Less troublesome is the next method, in use in a (our) professional setting: Get some sieve material 10um from the biological supply houses, about 10cm dia would do. Glue it under a 10 cm long piece of drainage pipe or something like that. Concentrate sample over this sieve by gravity, always leave some fluid behind. With a wide bore pipette (there are those plastic disposable pipettes, very handy!) you can take the slurry of the sieve. Works fabulously for 30-100ml sample. Smaller then 10 um material is not retained quantitatively, but still concentrated a bit. Besides, they are not often the most interesting things... Rene. > Does the spinning make living specimens "dizzy" or harm them in some > other way? Not that I care much about the well-being of single cell > animals, but I like to observe them in their natural state as much > as possible. +--------------- 33731 From: "tobormac" Date: Dec 1, 2006 Subject: Re: Centrifuge/sieving A variation on Rene's excellent suggestion is outlined in an Micscape article I wrote; http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/indexmag.html?http://www.microscopy- uk.org.uk/mag/artmay06/im-marine.html Ian +---------------- 33732 From: Rane Curl Date: Dec 1, 2006 Subject: Re: Centrifuge/sieving I was thinking of separating pollen-and-smaller material from detritus with a sieve, but did not find a sieve material source at the biological supply places I searched. Can anyone suggest a (inexpensive) source of such sieve material? While I'm asking, does anyone have experience to convey on collecting pollen in concentrating in this fashion from soils or peat? In particular, what opening size in the sieve would be best? -Rane L Curl +---------------- 33733 From: "pedrocas1972" Date: Dec 1, 2006 Subject: Permanent slide mounts Hi, any ideas on how I can get a cheap way to prepare permanent slides? I will use Fungi, Bryophyte parts, etc. Thx Pedro +--------------- 33734 From: "hgbiggio" Date: Dec 1, 2006 Subject: Baxter Scientific Products M3000 Just got re:... looking for ref man./parts list/tech man... I'm new to hobby... Immediate problem is fine focus slips and I've tried the knob under the rt coarse adj. and screw under coarse/fine knob on lft side, but still wanders after using fine focus. Baxter SP sold to vwr intl in mid 70's... they found in old Baxter catalogue but it doesn't match anything they carry & they have no manuals... they said it was actually a Leica Microstar IV Brightfield Binocular Microscope & try Leica... I did, no response. Any help would be appreciated. Don't know protocol for group, so feel free to email me. Thanks +----------------- 33735 From: "Frez" Date: Dec 1, 2006 Subject: Zeiss Objectives Is there any difference, besides the obvious, between a Zeiss Plan 16x ph2 and a Plan 16x ph1? Both have a NA of .35 and both are of the same style with silver engraved bodies with black tops. The ph1 has green lettering and a green stripe. The ph2 has white lettering except for the ph2 which is red and also has a green stripe. Both are also 160/0.17. Thanks Frez +------------------------------------------------------------------------------------