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.

Update – Making Progress

Technique and skills are slowly improving. Most of the time I can apply a stain without making a big mess. I’m still taking pics of everything because looking at them all - whether good or bad – helps me learn. Remembering to adjust the diaphragm is still an issue. Need to post a note to myself.

Still getting most of my specimens from the kitchen. Viewing leaves and stem sections from vegetables. Focusing the 40x objective is often a problem when the lens is up against the cover slip. I don’t know if there’s a solution, but I’ll keep trying.

Mite in  old Bisquick

One of my kitchen specimens came when I opened an old container of Bisquick and found a layer of gunk on top. Found a mite when I took a sample

Fruit Fly Wing

Fruit fly is another interesting specimen.

Hibiscus Ovary

Hibiscus dissection was fun. Internet info gave me a flower diagram and the steps for the dissection.

A bonus came from the ghost ants on the bloom I cut.  Made a quick improvised killing jar.

Ghost Ant
Typically <5mm head to tail

The small handheld microscope is especially useful for thick specimens like an ant because it is overhead illumination.  Illumination from under the specimen shows only the silhouette.

I’ve played around with polarization with mixed results. My scope does not have a place to put a filter, so I’ve tried various methods of placing the filters. Polarizing film tends to have minute scratches – but maybe that’s because I bought cheap film. I also bought 2 round acrylic filters but haven’t found the best way to position the bottom one.

Latest acquisition is a mechanical stage which makes life much easier. I can make tiny moves to the specimen. Trying to adjust by hand, it was almost impossible to make fine adjustments.

My plan is for a quarterly summary with the best/most interesting pics. I photograph almost every specimen with all objectives and with stains. These are all documented in my log, but I want to highlight the ones that I especially like.  For the first quarter I created a PowerPoint presentation and then exported that to an MP4 file in order to send it to others. Here’s the first one.

Continuing Education

Still doing experiments from beginner’s books. Every one teaches me something.

The best beginner’s book I’ve found is Adventures With a Microscope by Richard

Headstrom originally published in 1941. It was written for intelligent children Explanations are detailed, extensive, and very clearly written.

It is interesting to read his list of useful supplies; especially the recommended chemicals and reagents. Many of the things that were readily available at the time are now restricted and/or completely unavailable to the amateur: Chloroform.   Ether.   Sulfuric Acid.  Caustic Potash.  (As a side note, I was able to get sulfuric acid from a pharmacy for use in a high school physics experiment as late as 1959.)

Much of my education is coming from the internet. http://www.microbehunter.com/ is a wonderful resource. Oliver Kim has a large selection of instructional videos and articles. He is an excellent teacher. There’s also a wide-ranging forum that has a section especially for beginners.  I’ve learned a lot form the very helpful forum members.

www.microscopy-uk.org.uk is another helpful site, but I’ve found many broken links in the learning section.

www.ibiology.org offers courses including both a long and a short microscopy course.

www.microscopeworld.com is another very helpful site.

Facebook has an Amateur Microscopy group whose members mostly post photos.  Some of the more spectacular photos are an inspiration for some experiments to be discussed later.

Climbing the Learning Curve

Climbing the Learning Curve

I’m beginning to get the hang of this, doing experiments out of a book aimed at children. It’s very simple -  just my speed. It uses everyday things such as vegetables, hair, and skin plus many more things found around the house.

Experiments include using stains.  The Methylene Blue that came with the slide kit I bought was in a tiny container such that I couldn’t control the flow – could not get a single drop; it came out in blobs. A new larger bottle works just fine. Iodine is the only other stain I’ve tried so far.

My biggest challenge is focus. This inexpensive student microscope doesn’t have the delicate calibration of a more expensive scope. With practice I’ll get better. Using a hand-held microtome is another learning experience.

My “lab” is one end of the dining room table. A small wheeled cart holds all my paraphernalia. The microscope sits on the bottom shelf of the cart when the “lab” is closed down, and the cart rolls into a small space in another room.

I’m having fun looking at the microworld and learning a lot in the process.

I'm an Idiot!

I am an idiot. No explanation. Just take it from me. I missed something that should have been obvious. Maybe I'll explain it in a few years.
But, now I've found it and it'll make a big difference.  Onward and upward.

Impatience is Not a Virtue

I’m always anxious to get started, no matter what the project.

I got a slide preparation kit that included lots of handy things and 2 stains in powder form. I put off reconstituting them.

In the meantime, I did some beginners’ exercises. Salt: table, kosher, flake. Looked at some cheese mold. These have helped me get more comfortable with my scope. Then I got to another beginner task: cheek cells which should be stained.

Time to add water to the Methylene Blue powder.

Problem: I did not have gloves. Ancillary problem: I had no experience with or practical knowledge of this substance. I decided to try it anyway – I’d be very careful.  HA!  Tiny little bottle of powder. Eyedropper same diameter as bottle top. 

WOW! Is it BLUE! So was the toweling I used to soak up any spillage.  So were my fingertips and their nails.(Should have taken a pic) Running water helped very little.  Off to Google. Learned that diluted bleach was the answer; but I just used it full strength.

I’ll look at cheek cells tomorrow.

I now have gloves. And little jars of dilute bleach and rubbing alcohol among my kit. I guess every mistake is a learning experience. I hope every learning experience is not the result of a mistake.

Why a microscope?

Because I’m curious. I’ve always been fascinated by the sciences but never had the self-discipline to actually study one beyond high school. Then comes the cheap digital microscope (really just a camera with a magnifier) so I got one. 

Table Sugar

Grape stem cross section

It was fun but after a while I wanted more.

The next step was a student microscope with camera.  Didn’t break the budget and I think it’s a good way to start. Problem is that I didn’t know anything about microscopes. Time to dive into books and internet. As would be expected, a Google search found very helpful sites.

Microbehunter.com has been my premier microscope tutor. Oliver Kim has  great videos.  His explanations are clear and he presents topics in plain language without a lot of technical jargon even when discussing more advanced topics. There's a forum that even has a beginner's corner. I don’t have enough words to express my delight at finding such a great place to learn.

Of course, everything I learn leads to more Google searches. My notebook is beginning to fill fast.