Fun With Retarders

Finally learning about retarders – and having fun doing it.

I’d thought that there was something technically unique about retarders – that they had to be very specific filters. It wasn’t easy finding an article that explained it in everyday language.

Google searches for retarders usually return sites from Olympus and other optics companies.  These are aimed at people who have an understanding of optics. Too technical for me. A post on the Facebook group Crystal Art Photomicrography made clear the basics.

A retarder modifies light waves from the polarizer. It is as simple as using a piece of clear plastic over the polarizer. Rotating the plastic creates different modifications that change the colors of the image. Retarders can be stacked to create more variations. Simple!

 Additionally, I’m experimenting with adjusting the condenser diaphragm adjust contrast.

As I was saying…

 

Add caption

 

I was talking about condensers. I’m still learning how to optimize its use but I’m getting there.

After my last post in June, I had a long writer’s block. In addition I continued my fascination with playing “Mad Scientist” mixing various substances to see what image is produced.

I have unofficialy adopted Loes Modderman as a mentor. She’s spent more than 50 years experimenting with chemicals and combinations; and she is a wonderful teacher. See her website at https://www.scienceart.nl/  

She is the founder and frequent contributor the Crystal Art Photomicrography group on Facebook. Her comments are always clear and informative.  There is also a 7-part tutorial posted in that group. I’ve learned so much from her.

It has been tempting to add to my chemicals. On FB, I see beautiful images produced by exotic substances.  I’m trying to hold myself in check, using what I have in different combinations.  Self-discipline is not one of my virtues.

L-Lysine, water Polarized

Boric Acid, alcohol Polarized 

Learning about the condenser

I posted my condenser frustration on the Forum on Microbehunter.com. The folks there are very generous with sharing their knowledge and suggesting places to find information.

I found enough information and diagrams online to help me understand the condenser and how it works. I’ve been practicing to learn how to make the most of it.

Ordered polarizing lenses that fit my filter holder. Up to now I’ve been using the plastic lenses from 3D glasses that came with our TV. They work, but the plastic is vulnerable to scratches.

I’ve been concentrating on viewing various chemicals and solutions. It’s time to take a break from that and get back to living things.

A couple of recent photos.

Alum and Epsom Salt

Boric Acid in Peroxide

Condensers – a minor rant

As a rank beginner, it has not been easy to learn about condensers. My student scope did not have one.  My big excitement about having a condenser on my new scope was because it has a filter holder. I wanted to learn about how to use it.

My internet searches brought up all kinds of technical information with diagrams of a condenser’s construction, and about cones of light. Somewhat interesting but at this stage of my learning curve, I don’t care about technical details.  Maybe later, when I’ve learned more.

I am interested now only in how to get the best images. I finally got useful information from a December, 2008 Microbe Hunter Magazine article. At last!

I wish that knowledgeable people would take pity on those of us who start out with very basic equipment.  Please, someone publish on line a  “Condensers for Dummies”. Or maybe I’m the only dummy.

New Gallery page

 There is a new tab available: Galleries. It's my show-off page. There are three categories: Animal, Vegetable, Mineral. The animal category includes animal products such as bacon fat.  I suspect that I'll be adding a page called Other before too long.
Take a look at my pics.

First Darkfield Experiment

Darkfield has been a mystery to me. I’ve seen plenty of photos taken in darkfield; but didn’t really understand how or why to use it. There are plenty of darkfield filters available online but my lack of understanding made me reluctant to make even a small investment.

Then I came across a Microbe Hunter video about these filters and how to make one. As always, these videos are filled with lessons and practical information.

It seemed that it was fairly simple to make my own. I located transparent plastic, used a filter as a template, cut it out, and cut a small circle of black paper attached with double stick tape to be the stop. It’s not pretty, but it works. 

YAY!

I’m not ready for Rheinberg or Oblique filters but they look fascinating. For now, I’m still taking baby steps.

Filters and filter holders

Microbehunter.com is my microscope tutor. I learn something from every video. The lessons are either useful to me or just plain interesting. Yesterday I found a bonanza.

I watched:  Making microscope filters: Darkfield, Rheinberg, Oblique

I learned:

• My new microscope does have a filter holder. From what I’ve read. I was looking for a slot in the condenser. Mine has a swing-out holder at the bottom of the condenser
• Why I should use a blue filter: I have halogen illumination
• How to make my own darkfield filter.
• What a Rheinberg filter is; how to make one; why/when to use one.
• What an oblique filter is and when to use one. I’d heard reference to oblique illumination, but had no idea what it is.

This site is a wonderful place to learn about microscopes and their uses

The end of a month of frustration - onward and upward

My last post ended with the failure of my mechanical stage. The Y axis (Vertical) froze and would not move. AMscope sent me another. Same problem. Third stage:  Same issue except on the X (Horizontal) axis.  GRRRR !!

Looking for other sources for a mechanical stage, I found one that looked identical and had the same dimensions as my stage. It wasn’t identical. The positioning posts and the screw are just fractions of a millimeter different so that it would not fit. 

I was amazed to see the quality difference between the AMscope device and the other. The AMscope stage was poorly made

compared the the other.

 

I resolved to make do with what I have; but I still looked at scopes that have an integral mechanical stage.  Out of my price range. Until I found one that I can afford.

My choice is the Celestron CB2000CF. It is an older model, but is a new scope. It has features that are lacking in my existing scope. And the price was right from Amazon.com.  It should be delivered tomorrow.

In the meantime, I’ve been looking at some interesting stuff including but not limited to toilet paper. I’ve looked at household things including cream of tartar, glycerin, vitamin C, boric acid and, more using different solutions.

Many things look different dissolved in alcohol instead of water. I’ve also tried hydrogen peroxide and acetone (fingernail polish remover).

The real excitement is when I polarize these samples. Some of the patterns and colors are amazing. I plan to make a collection of these.

Other experiments include taking a soil sample, and a sample of stagnant water. Haven’t seen anything in the soil sample; but the water sample showed some critters that I think are protozoa. This is the first time I’ve tried to identify tiny creatures like these.

Having fun. Making progress. Learning.

Back to the Scope – Finally

A different project took priority last Spring. That was followed by another one. So, 1 year later, I’m finding how much I’ve forgotten since then.

The mechanical stage was great – while it lasted. The Y axis got frozen in place and would not move. Since it wasn’t expensive, I just bought another one that froze the same way. Amscope sent me a replacement at no charge, but it, too froze in the same way. I gave up.

Then putting the original stage clips back, one of the screws cross-threaded.  It sort of works.

I’ve been able to achieve polarization with help from a video on Microbe Hunter where he adapted a microscope similar to mine. Upgrade to polarization I tried to make a device like the one he made, but ended up using the simplest solution – lenses from 3D glasses.

I’m in the relearning stage.