Bunton Instrument Co., Inc. has a long history of developing and building special accessories for use with microscopes. Having skilled machinists and a complete machine shop, we have created many special items over the years. These include low magnification darkfield illuminators after Hinsch-Goldman and Mears. Lamp adapters to convert old Leitz microscopes to accept modern halogen lighting. Micromanipulator support bases and hydraulic microinjectors that were instrumental in the creation of transgenic mice and, yes, for human IVF methods.
We built the first Ploem illuminator in America back in the 1960's .... before E. Leitz offered it for sale on the Ortholux!
The newest MIKROMAK optic from Infinity Photo Optical in Colorado is the ideal optical microscope accessory for digital cinematography duties. Bayonet this microscope front end to a modern DSLR with 4K video or to a Black Magic high speed for slo-mo and dedicated digital cine duties in the lab or on location. The LED you see mounted on the right has a rechargeable battery and flash synch as well as variable intensity for use as a modeling lamp or sole light source special effects to get light to the "nooks and crannies".
Visit www.infinity-usa.com for more details on Mikromak options as well as prices.
WIRELESS RECHARGEABLE LED LAMP SHOWN RIGHT IS CALLED "LUMELED"....CONTACT US FOR DETAILS AND A WIDE RANGE OF FIXTURES AND LAMP CARRIERS....THIS ONE FEATURES BUILT IN STROBE FLASH MODE THAT IS PERFECT FOR Z-STACK OR STILL PHOTOMACROGRAPHY
A UK TEAM HAS PUT TOGETHER SOME VERY INTERESTING LIGHTING ACCESSORIES. IN ADDITION TO LED PHOTOMACRO LIGHTING THEY HAVE NOW STARTED SHIPPING THEIR BRAND NEW MACRO FLASH HEADS THAT CAN BE USED WITH THEIR OWN APP AND POWER SUPPLY FOR COMBINED LED MODELING ILLUMINATION AND HIGH INTENSITY FLASH FEATURE
www.adaptalux.com
POLARIZED LIGHT KITS NOW AVAILABLE FOR THE LEITZ DIAVERT INVERTED MICROSCOPE - ANALYSERS FOR LEITZ MICROSCOPES WITH SLOT FOR MODELS SUCH AS ORTHOLUX I/II, ORTHOPLAN, DIALUX 20/22, DIALUX, AND LABORLUX S.
POLARIZED LIGHT KIT FOR LEITZ LABORLUX - S MICROSCOPE
Here is a very nice kit that Wetzlar never offered....the dual filter holder for use on the Laborlux S model includes an analyser filter that fits into the slider that comes with the microscope. The dual holder clamps to the right side of the substage condenser bracket with thumb screws included. The filter shown with the red handle is a first order compensator and the other lollipop holder is the polarizer. Dual holder fits all 160TL Laborlux models (D/K/11/12/S) ....condenser LK brightfield only (as shown in photo right). Dialux 20/22 (condenser SK only). This kit is included with many of the RRR Leitz microscopes we offer. Not useable with any phase condenser (UKA/UKO) or on Dialplan, Orthoplan 2 or Aristoplan microscopes.
THIN ROCK SECTIONS, PRECIPITATIONS AND CRYSTALLIZATIONS
THESE COMPONENT PARTS OF RetroZED ARE 3D PRINTED HERE IN THE USA. THE DESIGN IS QUITE UNIQUE AND INNOVATIVE. EVEN THE FLEXIBLE GRIPPER CUPS ARE 3D PRINTED AND PROVIDE THE USER WITH A PERFECT CONNECTION BETWEEN STEPPER MOTOR AND FINE FOCUS KNOB....ON JUST ABOUT ANY COMPOUND MICROSCOPE. PROVISION FOR VARIOUS HEIGHTS ALLOWS RETROZED TO BE USED ON MULTIPLE MICROSCOPES WITH DIFFERENT SIZED FINE FOCUS KNOBS AND POSITION IN RELATION TO THE WORK TABLE SURFACE.
STANDARD SIZED GRIPPER CUPS ARE 25, 30,35 AND 40MM AND CUSTOM-MADE CUPS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. INDIVIDUAL CUPS ARE ONLY $25.00 EACH AND ONE COMES WITH EACH RetroZED KIT THAT ALSO INCLUDES THE STEPPER MOTOR AND STACKSHOT CONTROLLER.
ALREADY HAVE A STACKSHOT CONTROLLER? NO PROBLEM, WE CAN SELL YOU JUST WHAT YOU SEE HERE ALONG WITH THE CORRECT STEPPER MOTOR AND CABLE TO PLUG DIRECTLY INTO YOUR EXISTING CONTROLLER AND CABLE NORMALLY USED WITH THE COGNISYS MOTORIZED FOCUS RAIL.
COMPLETE KIT IS UNDER $800.00 - WORKS IN WINDOWS ONLY
WE RECOMEND ZERENE STACKER SOFTWARE
ORDER ON EBAY OR VIA PAYPAL
CLICK ON "LIGHTING ACCESSORIES" ABOVE
IMAGE #1-SINGLE FOCAL PLANE
IMAGE #2-STACKED MULTIPLE FOCAL PLANES
IMAGE 3#-STACKED PROFILE IMAGE
POLARIZED LIGHT WITH SENSITIVE TINT COMPENSATOR
SAFARIN MELT (4X AND 10X OBJECTIVE RESPECTIVELY) - THANKS TO CAROL ROULLARD
Thanks to additive manufacturing methods (3D printing) we are pleased to announce a re-make of an old Leitz and Bunton item. This special device is only for use on Leitz condenser #600 series...the most popular sub-stage condenser with swing-out top lens (usually 0.90). If you insert the push-in stop with the patch-stop at the bottom you will be able to do phase with a Leitz PHACO (#2) 25 or 40 objective. If you reverse the unit with the patch-stop at the top you end up with a way to get very nice darkfield using objectives as low as 2.5x by simply swinging the top lens out of the light path. Go to "Ordering Details" for code numbers and pricing.
We also offer our own dual filter holder, polarizer, analyser slider and first order red compensator for use with Leitz microscopes (170mm TL) such as Ortholux, Orthoplan, Labolux, Dialux and Ortholux II. See photo and basics at the top of this page.
Here you will see one of the original Carl Zeiss Axioskops. You can find these on Ebay quite easily. Other infinity corected microscope stands from Nikon, Olympus and Leica can also be selected. Many times these microscope stands are missing key items like the body tube and light source. We can easily upgrade the lighting with USA-made LED illumination that benefits from a constant color temperature when doing color digital photomicroscopy. Notice our own RetroZED module for Z-stacking with Zerene Stacker or Helicon Focus. We also show the USA-made ULTIMA that allows for parfocalization and attachment of full frame sensor cameras (24x36mm) by adding the UNIPAR 0.33X optic. Interchangeable photo oculars to meet your needs....5X to 12X. Also useable with APS-C sensor consumer cameras as well as small format sensor cameras calling for C-mount adapters.
Oculars are not needed when using your camera in "Live View" mode....do all framing, composition and Z-stacking sequences directly from your computer displayer.
RetroZED automates the Z-stacking procedure by allowing the microscopist to select top and bottom focus levels and Z-step dimension (to sub-micron precision). Uses Cognisys Stackshot controller (made in America).
(PHOTO RIGHT - ZEISS AXIOSKOP GEN 1) INFINITY PHOTO OPTICAL IS LOCATED NEAR DENVER AND THEY OFFER A FULL LINEUP OF SPECIAL MICROSCOPES THAT ARE DESIGNED FOR DIY PROJECTS IN BOTH LIFE AND INDUSTRIAL/MATERIALS SCIENCE INVESTIGATIONS. NOTE THE USA-MADE LED RETROFIT (3D PRINTED) ALONG WITH DIMMER CONTROLLER. UNDER $200.00. FORGET LIGHT BULBS FOREVER. CONSTANT COLOR TEMP AND VERY HOMOGENOUS ILLUMINATION.
CONTACT BUNTON WITH ANY QUESTIONS OR IF YOU NEED PRICES
TAKE A LOOK AT MORE DETAILS ON ULTIMA AND INFOCUS FROM INFINITY PHOTO OPTICAL....
The digital camera image may be the ideal way to view your sample for analysis, processing and photomicroscopy. ULTIMA is a product that replaces a trinocular body tube, eyepieces and expensive camera couplers. It may be used with small format (c-mount) cameras or large format sensor cameras up to full-frame 35 (43mm diagonal). They are microscope make-specific and only for the current generations of infinity corrected upright microscopes. Optics inside of ULTIMA are specific for objectives made by Nikon, Olympus, Motic, Zeiss and Leica. A unique feature exists for parfocalizing two objectives .... 10x and 40x for example. The ULTIMA is ideal for dedicated photo systems or any microscope workstation that involves 100% display monitor interaction .... such as MICROVISIONEER image stitching package offered by Bunton (manualWSI).
SEE ULTIMA IN THE PHOTO ABOVE WITH UNIPAR 0.33X AND THE PHOTO EYEPIECE ADAPTER THAT ALLOWS INTERCHANGEABLE OCULAR MAGS....SIMPLY BACK OUT THAT THUMB SCREW AND MAKE THE EXCHANGE.....10X IS THE USUAL CHOICE
Basic ULTIMA optical component (PHOTO LEFT). The small dial-in knob is used to parfocalize a low power objective with a high power objective (10x and 40x). This comes in handy for image stitching duties. The other photo (LEFT) shows one of my prototypes that involve the Infinity 0.33x UNIPAR connected to a discontinued (and fantastic) 5:1 ZOOM LENS from the old Leitz Vario Orthomat film camera. This adaptation will become a standard Bunton special item in 2024. These old Leitz zooms require tear down, clean and lube for smooth operation. Most of them are frozen due to old lubrications. We take care of that issue and make them good as the day they left Wetzlar. ASK US ABOUT ZOOM UNIPAR FOR YOUR DSLR or MILC.
As you can see, Bunton Instrument is offering products and RRR Leitz microscopes that are beyond anything offered by the NOZL firms or Chinese-made microscope lines. We enhance fine German optics and mechanics with innovative USA-made accessories that we have selected, tested and approved. They are reasonably priced and easy to use.
THE INFINITY PHOTO OPTICAL LINE FROM COLORADO IS UNIQUE AND EACH MICROSCOPE THEY OFFER HAS FEATURES THAT ARE USEFUL IN ALL AREAS OF STUDY. DIGITAL PHOTOMICROSCOPY, HIGH SPEED CINEMACROGRAPHY, TEACHING, QUALITY CONTROL, FAILURE ANALYSIS AND LONG DISTANCE MICROSCOPY SITUATIONS. I HIGHLY RECOMEND SPENDING SOME TIME VIEWING THEIR WEBSITE. CONTACT ME WITH ANY QUESTIONS.....OR REQUEST A QUOTE FOR A BUNTON BESPOKE MICROSCOPE SYSTEM.
THE ULTIMA AND INFOCUS IS DESIGNED ONLY FOR USE ON INFINITY TUBE LENGTH CORRECED MICROSCOPES - THEY WILL NOT FUNCTION WITH OLDER FINITE TUBE LENGTH MICROSCOPES.
ZOOM UNIPAR WILL WORK WITH OLDER LEITZ MICROSCOPES WITH FINITE TUBE LENGTH CORRECTION....OR INFINITY CORRECTED (INCIDENT LIGHT) LEITZ MODELS NORMALLY USED IN MATERIALS SCIENCE LABS. ANY LEITZ FSA PHOTOTUBE WITH THE 38MM OPEN CAMERA PORT WILL WORK FINE.
Similar look to the ULTIMA, the INFOCUS (IMAGE TO THE RIGHT) is much more. The patented optical design permits "dynamic focusing" of your sample (transmitted light biological slides) at high magnification. The idea is to correct for spherical aberrations caused by samples with incorrect coverglass thickness. Most transmitted light objectives will be corrected for a coverslip that is 0.17mm thick (#1.5). If you use a coverslip that is thinner or thicker you will end up with a "soft", low contrast image. The old solution is to have mid-range dry objectives with a coverglass correction collar. Inverted microscopes may have a correction collar for adjusting the thickness of the dish or chamber in which the cells are growing. Correction collars are rarely used properly. ULTIMA and INFOCUS are for upright style microscopes. You must also consider the thickness of the mounting media between the sample and the coverslip .... this is usually unknown. It becomes very subjective in that you adjust the collar on the objective until the detail looks best. The INFOCUS includes its own large knurled ring to internally adjust for the optimum optical setting when doing critical photomicroscopy, realtime digital viewing or digital cine. INFOCUS then, does not require objectives with correction collars. You could use them and just leave them at one setting (0.17). Use INFOCUS to fine-tune the detail until it looks best to your eye. Nothing like this on the market .... dynamic focusing. For use with any digital camera (up to full frame 35 size)you may select. No eyepieces needed. PHOTO RIGHT: Zeiss Standard is converted for use with current infinity corrected objectives (RMS thread) that include original Carl Zeiss infinity objectives as well as those from Olympus and Motic. Add our RetroZED and you have the perfect Z-STACKING SYSTEM
SHOWN (RIGHT) IS AN ANCIENT ZEISS STANDARD STAND THAT IS OUTFITTED WITH ZEISS RMS INFINITY CORRECTED OBJECTIVES (GEN 1) AND THE ADAPTER TUBE WITH INFOCUS AND A FULL FRAME CAMERA MOUNTED WITH T-ADAPTER FOR Z-STACKING
REPURPOSE THOSE OLD MICROSCOPES TO SAVE MONEY AND BE SURE THE FOCUS DRIVE IS FULLY SERVICED AND FUNCTIONAL - UPDATE TO LED ILLUMINATION AND OUR OWN RETRO-ZED FOR SEMI-AUTOMATED Z-STACKING DUTIES
RRR
The two images below were captured by Dr. Brian Matsumoto. He used an Olympus infinity corrected plan apo 40x (dry) with n.a.=0.85 with coverglass correction collar. Sample is a trichrome-stained fibrous cartilage (left 1/3). Left photo with correction collar set incorrectly while the right photo shows the same sample with the correction collar in the correct position. High dry objectives without a correction collar (i.e., fixed at 0.17mm coverglass thickness) will not provide one with all-around good results.....INFOCUS solves this problem!
INFOCUS.....get rid of hazy images caused by using the wrong coverglass on your thin sections. If your objective is engraved "0.17" (mm) that means the BEST image can only be achieved with proper Koehler set up, clean front optics AND A #1.5 COVERSLIP ON TOP THE SAMPLE.
INFOCUS allows you to visually set up the high dry objectives (25x to 100x) for the best image BEFORE you take the photo! Dry objectives with coverglass correction can cost thousands of dollars. INFOCUS only works with an INFINITY-CORRECTED optical system.
The most important decision when buying a new or used microscope of any make...selecting the heart of your microscope. The optical system. This is primarily the condenser (transmitted light) or the vertical illuminator (incident light), the objectives and the viewing eyepieces.
To the left you will see an entry level (aspherical) 0.90 Abbe type condenser from Leitz. This condenser is fine for standard achromatic objectives ranging from 4x to 100x oil. The first objective shown is a 25x EF achromat (non-plano) that sold for about $230.00 in 1989. These were the starting point for the then-new "160" microscopes such as Laborlux 11/12 and later S models. The second objective is an older Leitz "170" PLAN achromat with the exact same numerical aperture as the newer EF 25x....but it has a good flat field out to the edge if you use the widefield objectives of that time....field index 18mm 10x.
Note the two eyepieces on the right. One is 10x/18 and other is 10x/20. Price differential $192.00 and $567.00 respectively....that is each price in 1989. So, 20mm field index became the industry standard by 1990 and the older Leitz microscopes such as Ortholux II and Orthoplan were replaced by newer widefield models. In order to achieve wider fields of view the microscope makers started using larger prisms in their body tubes and today most eyepieces on modern microscopes are 30mm physical diameter and the older RMS 23.2mm standard is only used for student microscopes it seems.
The third objective in our photo to the left is a "160" PLAN FLUORITE (aka Fluotar at Leitz). This lens in 1989 retailed for $837.00. All four objectives are 25x but note the increasing numerical aperture. Better resolution the higher the n.a. but the smaller the depth of focus. The fourth objective is a Leitz PLAN APOCHROMAT 25x...retail price in 1989 was $1,852.00.
Quite a price range. Leitz came out with a microscope model in the mid-1960s called "Orthoplan". This was the flagship model for life sciences. The "industrial" version was called "Metalloplan". Both used 30mm oculars and had field index range from 23-28mm. This microscope could actually visualize a full 26mm field index using a 8x widefield eyepiece set. No other microscope maker had such features.....this was the mid-60's! Full widefield imaging of the Leitz plan apochromatic lenses. You would not use a 10x entry level achromat on an Orthoplan.....the curvature of field would be awful. That condenser on top of the red Leitz stand is the #602.....note the mark "ACHR 0.90". This condenser was then used for the PLAN objectives....achromats, fluorites and apochromats. Yes, ACHROMATIC condenser optics outperform the routine ASHPHERIC ABBE CONDENSER. You would never use high end objectives with a entry-level aspherical condenser. Further, the 602 condenser had a swing-out top lens so one could use a 2.5x scanning objective. The basic aspheric condenser did not have this feature and the 4x was as low as you could go with that condenser. Fine for student and routine brightfield lab scopes.
SO, FEEL FREE TO CONSULT WITH ME ON YOUR INTENDED APPLICATION AND WE CAN OFFER A SUGGEST OPTICAL TRAIN TO MEET YOUR EXACT NEEDS. SELECT ALL OF THE OPTICAL COMPONENTS SO THEY DO NOT OVER OR UNDER PERFORM WHEN USING GOOD OBJECTIVE LENSES. YES, THE CONDENSER CAP AND EYEPIECE FIELD INDEX ARE CRITICAL. IF THE MICROSCOPE BODY TUBE IS THE OLDER MODEL THEN YOU WILL BE SOMEWHAT LIMITED TO A SMALLER FIELD OF VIEW....IN THE EYEPIECE AS WELL AS ON THE CAMERA FIELD OF VIEW.
I DO HOPE THIS HELPS IN YOUR DUE DILIGENCE FOR A MICROSCOPE TO MEET YOUR REQUIREMENTS.
IMPORTANT LEITZ RULE OF THUMB.....THE 170 TO 160 (MM) TUBE LENGTH TRANSITION BACK IN THE 1980'S:
THE LEITZ TRANSMITTED LIGHT OBJECTIVES WERE ALWAYS DESIGNED FOR 170MM TUBE LENGTH. SEEMS THE REST OF THE WORLD WENT WITH 160MM AND EVENTUALLY THIS BECAME THE DIN (GERMAN INDUSTRIAL NORM) STANDARD. LEITZ REPLACED THE OLDER 170 MODELS WITH NEW 160TL MODELS. INCIDENT LIGHT MICROSCOPES FROM LEITZ WERE SET UP FOR INFINITY TUBE LENGTH CORRECTION AS FAR BACK AS THE 1950'S. TODAY MOST MODERN MICROSCOPES ARE SET UP FOR INFINITY TUBE LENGTH ...INCLUDING LEICA MICROSCOPES.
HERE IS THE RULE FOR OLDER LEITZ FINITE TUBE LENGTH MICROSCOPES: ANY OBJECTIVE 10X AND LOWER SHOULD BE CORRECTED FOR THAT MICROSCOPES' DESIGN SPECS....OLDER ORTHOLUX AND ORTHOPLAN MODELS WERE 170MM....NEW ORTHOPLAN 2/ARISTOPLAN AND DIALUX 20 WERE 160MM TUBE LENGTH. THE OBJECTIVES WILL NOT BE PARFOCAL IF YOU DO NOT FOLLOW THIS "10X AND LOWER" RULE. IMAGE PERFORMANCE IS NOT COMPROMISED IF YOU DO NOT FOLLOW THIS RULE BUT IT IS A REAL PAIN TO HAVE TO MAKE ABOUT 5 ROTATIONS OF THE FINE FOCUS TO FOCUS YOUR SAMPLE WITH THE HIGHER POWER LENSES ABOVE THE 10X.
HOPE THIS HELPS!
