BUNTON OFFERS A WIDE SELECTION OF MICROSCOPE ILLUMINATION SOLUTIONS.....LED IS RAPIDLY REPLACING THE INCANDESCENT LIGHT BULB AS WELL AS ARC LAMPS THAT HAVE BEEN USED FOR THE PAST 40 YEARS IN FLUORESCENCE MICROSCOPY
Please feel free to contact us with your exact requirements for lighting. We are specialists in adapting new LED illumination for older, existing legacy microscopes. Constant color temperatures and very even illumination. New products now can provide special illumination that was not possible in the past. Transmitted illumination as well as incident light illumination is now optimized using LED modules.
We know of one little 5W bulb for microscopes that has been discontinued....very hard to find these incandescent bulbs. Ebay sellers are having a field-day gouging the marketplace for a bulb that used to sell for $1.00. Look for this bulb selling at the moment for $20-60.00...EACH! Switch to LED and never change a bulb again.
You may find that there are other LED options for microscope illumination on the web. A typical LED sells for UNDER ONE DOLLAR (<$1.00)
....so why do some makers spend a lot of money to keep the LED cool and in a nice external package? $6,000.00 for a LED lamp is highway robbery...don't fall for it. We have the USA-made LED units that are functional and sell for well under $2,000.00. Brightfield unit for under $300.00 and a high intensity model for under $800.00. Fluorescence broadband LED for under $2,000.00.
ANNOUNCING NEW LED ILLUMINATION RETRO-FITS TO REPLACE MERCURY ARC LAMPS ON YOUR EXISTING MICROSCOPE...ONE, TWO, THREE OR FOUR LAMBDA LED ILLUMINATORS - 3 or 4 LED OPTIONS FOR FLUORESCENCE MICROSCOPY ARE MADE IN CHINA. GREAT BANG FOR THE BUCK.
SOME OF THE PHOTOMICROGRAPHS ON MY WEBSITE WERE CAPTURED USING THESE WELL-MADE UNITS. SEE PHOTO BELOW.
Suggested viewing: "INTRODUCTION TO FLUORESCENCE MICROSCOPY" on YouTube via www.ibiology.org
from Dr. Nico Stuurman for newcomers to fluorescence microscopy
The photomicrograph below was captured using a DSLR camera. The 3-lambda (CENTER PHOTO) unit is a direct replacement for HBO mercury arc lamps. The purchase price of the unit is under $3,000.00 ....about the same as purchasing FIFTEEN (15) MERCURY ARC BULBS! Set intensity levels of each LED spike to your liking....try doing that with an arc lamp. Image #1 (LEFT) was captured using a 60x water immersion objective with NA=1.2 using this LED module (Brian Matsumoto, photomicroscopist). BOVINE PULMONARY ALVEOLAR CELLS STAINED WITH DAPI (BLUE), FITC (GREEN) AND RHODAMINE (RED). A CONSUMER PANASONIC DSLR G9 WAS USED ALONG WITH COLOR MERGE ON THREE EXPOSURES IN PHOTOSHOP.
20,000 HOUR LIFETIME - NO HOT SPOT - COOL OPERATION - CONTROL VIA YOUR COMPUTER - EACH SPIKE HAS A SEPARATE INTENSITY AND ON/OFF SETTING ON THE CONTROL UNIT.
THIS LED IS SIGNIFICANTLY BETTER IN THE 450NM (BLUE) WHEN COMPARED TO MERCURY ARC - IDEAL FOR MICROPLASTIC INVESTIGATIONS - HIGHLY STABLE LIGHT INTENSITY THROUGHOUT THE LED LIFETIME - REDUCED ENERGY COSTS - NO WARM-UP OR COOL-DOWN PERIOD - VARIABLE INTENSITY
LOWER ENERGY COSTS AND GREEN FOOTPRINT TO HELP REDUCE GLOBAL WARMING.
THE 450NM BLUE LED IS IDEAL FOR MYCOLOGICAL AUTOFLUORESCENCE - LIGHT UP FUNGI
(PHOTO RIGHT BELOW) This is a brand new version of an all metal USA-made LED with excellent brightness (twice that of the standard unit) and the perfect solution for replacing under-powered incandescent bulbs (35W or less). Ideal for materials science microscopes involving darkfield and DIC...or polarized light. Forget about expensive light bulbs (or discontinuation of the one you need) and work with a lamp with a constant color temp and long lifetime that is easily adjusted with the small knob or an optional remote control. These lamps can also be used with USB connectivity to control via your computer and appropriate software. Price around $700-750.00. We make our own adapter for use on LEITZ MODELS: DIALUX 170, DIALUX 20/22 (not EB), LM-LUX, ORTHOLUX II,
DIAVERT, LABOVERT, FLUOVERT, DIAPLAN, ORTHOPLAN 2 and ARISTOPLAN....ERGOLUX and MOST OTHER LEITZ SEMICONDUCTOR INSPECTION MICROSCOPES
EXTERNAL LED FOR WHITE LIGHT OR FLUORESCENCE STUDIES AT LOW MAGNIFICATION .... MADE IN AMERICA
PHOTO #1 BELOW: USA-made LED shown on an older Leitz DIAVERT microscope with our own micro-dish called RetroH20.
This LED has an efficient heat sink and remote intensity controller for many thousands of hours use without a bulb change.
Cool, homogeneous lighting that is ideal for digital video and photomicroscopy in phase or darkfield. Fully restored Diaverts and Ortholux (1) will include these new LED light sources.
PHOTO #2 BELOW: Screen shot of fluorescence emission from mouse cells. This is a low resolution analogy camera image but one can easily see the very fine tubular network ...thanks to a Leitz 50x plan fluorite oil immersion objective.
PHOTO #3 BELOW is a USA-made LED epifluorescence retrofit using a Leitz lamp housing and precise dual (BLUE AND GREEN) excitation wideband single LED to excite GFP/FITC/Texas Red/Rhodamine. Under $2,000.00
Bunton is soon to launch the new RetroFOT-Z with our RetroFL attachment for incident light fluorescence studies and z-stacking. This unique system features the USA-made Infinity KC VIDEOMAX microscope front that can be used with infinity-corrected macro objectives (IF-Series) as well as any infinity-corrected microscope objective...Infinity Achrovid, Mitutoyo M26 thread or any of the NOZL firm industrial objectives for your specific lighting requirements.
NOTE: Here is our prototype RetroFL with the blue light LED attached. Use with just about any camera including Peltier-cooled models (as shown LEFT). Contact us for further details, questions or price quote. The LED you see is made in the USA and sells for about $1,000.00 plus an adapter for your microscope make and model.
The USA-made LED illuminator you see here is offered with 400, 450, 500 and 550nm LED matrix and collector lens. Intensity can be easily adjusted to your exact requirements with the control knob shown on top of the heat sink metal housing. Filter cubes and LED sources are quickly exchanged as needed for different fluorochromes. Very reasonably priced!
The KC features internal fine focusing and an aperture diaphragm. Long working distance lenses make this system ideal for intravital studies as well as for fluorescence of embryos and larger organisms that would not be suitable for regular compound microscopes. Ideal setup for the imaging of MICROPLASTICS in water samples and seafood. Coaxial fluorescence microscopy with digital imaging and software for measurements, counting and report documentation. This system (RetroFL) provides much better results than a routine stereoscopic microscope with a camera mounted on one of the two optical channels. Micro or macro front optics...interchangeable filter cubes and LED modules. High mag objectives for the study of MICROALGAE and MICROFLUIDIC fluorescence experiments and slow motion recordings using a high frame rate, global shutter camera.
Filter cubes are quickly exchanged with the removal of screws. 25mm filter dimensions provide a very wide field of illumination and the LED matrix is quite homogeneous over a 20-30mm field depending on placement of the lamp in the illumination port. A collector lens is built into the LED ILLUMINATOR. Contact BUNTON for a price quote on the KC-RetroFL with LED illumination.
The NEW USA-MADE LED shown right is ideal for LEITZ reflected light vertical illuminators where the original incadescent bulb is either under-powered or no longer in production for replacement.
We presently offer LED single spectra illuminators for ROYAL BLUE and GREEN excitation. This is a perfect modular solution for the study of NILE RED stained MICROPLASTICS found in our waters and fisheries. NILE RED is excited with the 450-480nm ROYAL BLUE. Such lighting and filter cubes are also useable for GFP and FITC. The INFINITY KC microscope is then attached along with your camera of choice. Software for Z-STACKING or IMAGE ANALYSIS can then be used to meet your exact requirements. MICROPLASTIC MICROSCOPY involves plastic particles 5MM OR LESS. The KC microscope can be easily converted from MACRO to MICRO for single digit MICRON SIZED particle imaging and identification. NEW FOR 2023....MODULAR LED FOR NUV EXCITATION IN THE 370NM RANGE. CONTACT US FOR A CUSTOM-MADE RetroFL WITH KC-VIDEOSCOPE TO MEET YOUR RESEARCH REQUIREMENTS. USE YOUR EXISTING INFINITY-CORRECTED OBJECTIVES INCLUDING MITUTOYO AND SPECIAL NOZL OPTICS FOR
This is an ideal set up for intravital microscopy on live animals. Such systems can also be used for the study of art objects and paintings. Industrial inspection of wafers (contaminants and excess photo-resist) can be identified easily with a fluorescence microscope. Special XY stages are available for large samples or XY movement of sl animals etc.
LED MODULES MOUNTED ON A FLEXIBLE GOOSENECK ARE THE PERFECT SOLUTION FOR PHOTOMACROGRAPHY ILLUMINATION...THE LIGHT GETS INTO THE "NOOKS AND CRANNIES" AND IS EASILY INITIATED WITH A DSLR CAMERA AND RETRO-ZED. SHADOW-FREE ILLUMINATION OF 3D OBJECTS IS THE BEST LIGHTING SOLUTION...BUT SOMETIMES YOU WANT SHADOWS. A SERIOUS PHOTOMACROGRAPHER WILL HAVE BOTH RING ILLUMINATION AND POINT SOURCE LIGHTING (FLASH OR GOOSENECK TYPE) AT THEIR DISPOSAL. WE CAN TELL YOU MORE ABOUT FILTERS, POL FILTERS, COLLECTOR OPTICS AND SOFT LIGHT CREATION IF YOU ARE INTERESTED....JUST DROP US A NOTE OR SEND US YOUR SAMPLES FOR A PHOTO SESSION HERE AT OUR SHOP. WE THEN RETURN YOUR SAMPLES AND JPEG IMAGES BY EMAIL. YES, WITHOUT PROPER LIGHT FOR THE SAMPLE YOU WILL END UP WITH UNUSEABLE PHOTOS....WYSIWYG
CHECK OUT: www.adaptalux.com THIS UK FIRM HAS A GREAT "MACRO FLASH" KIT THAT IS AN EXCELLENT CHOICE FOR CLOSE-UP AND PHOTOMACRO WORK. CHECK OUT THEIR YOUTUBE DEMO. A TWIN XENON FLASH HEAD KIT IS ABOUT $500.00. FLASH HEADS MAY BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE STATIC LED FLEXIBLE ARMS FOR MODELING AND COMPLEMENTARY COLORS FOR BACKGROUND ...PERFECT FOR PHOTOMACRO WORK, Z-STACKING AND STOP ACTION PHOTOMACROGRAPHY OF LIVE INSECTS. PURCHASE DIRECT FROM ADAPTALUX ON LINE. ORDER DIRECTLY ON-LINE FROM THEIR WEBSITE IN THE UK. MENTION BUNTON INSTRUMENT WHEN ORDERING FROM ADAPTALUX.
We also sell a very good white light LED retrofit lamp for older Leitz microscopes ....options for high intensity versions as well as one with a beamsplitter for attaching a consumer flash head that you supply. This is perfect for Z-STACKING and flash synch with the Zerene Stacker software and the Bunton RetroZED motorized fine focus drive.
The photo (below LEFT #1) is the newest multi-LED unit. This economical unit from China is an excellent price performance retrofit to replace mercury arc lamps on fluorescence microscopes. Available from Bunton for OEM customers as well as individual end-users. We have our own adapters for the various legacy Leitz microscopes as well as the current models from NOZL makes. Shown with Leitz Laborlux S upright. TRIPLE LED set up in one unit with remote control included to turn on/off as well as adjust intensity of each wavelength (365, 470 and 560nm ...VIOLET, BLUE and GREEN. Use your existing filter cubes or contact us if you need replacement filter sets (they do not last forever you know!). New hard coatings from CHROMA IN VERMONT provide excellent filtration for any current fluorochrome and we can reuse your filter cube to save you $300-800.00. New filter installation is included in the price of the filter set and dichroic. Optimize for DAPI, GFP/FITC and TRITC etc. Image shown is a MICROPLASTICS sample under 10x objective mag using a Leitz filter cube "B2". Mercury arc lamps all have hot spots and some difficulty in setting up for uniform field illumination. The knob on top of the LED housing allows adjustment of the collector lens for optimal illumination for all objective magnifications.
Detecton of microplastics and cyanbacteria (blue-green algae) in water samples. Clinical fluorescence microscopy for detection of various maladies. Research on living cells using GFP (green fluorescing protein)...and many more applications involving the famous Leitz Ploem illuminators and filter cubes. Yes, LED has pretty much replaced the mercury arc lamp these days.
3-LAMBDA model is under $3000.00 A 4-LAMBDA model is also available with added NIR excitation spike that sells for $3499.00. Check out our YouTube demo.
CONTACT ME REGARDING LED UPGRADE FOR YOUR EXISTING NOZL MICROSCOPE. BESPOKE SYSTEMS ARE ALWAYS OF INTEREST AND WE HAVE THE EXPERTISE AND DESIGN/FABRICATION CAPABILITIES TO PROVIDE YOU WITH THE BEST DIGITAL MICROSCOPY SOLUTION TO MEET YOUR RESEARCH NEEDS AND BUDGET LIMITS. LED UPGRADES START AT UNDER $200.00. PHOTO #2 BELOW shows this economical LED mounted on a LEITZ DIAVERT inverted microscope. This is a very bright LED that is primarily 3D printed. Great for the study of live cells and aquatics. NOTICE our new micro chamber for the study of aquatics in solution using phase contrast. Ask about "retroH2O"....available with magnetic feature for easy manual scanning. This device is also 3D printed and useable on any upright microscope with a mechanical stage.
ANOTHER USA-MADE LED WHITE LIGHT ILLUMINATOR IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR THOSE DOING INCIDENT LIGHT DARKFIELD, DIC OR POLARIZED LIGHT METHODS. ADAPTERS TO MOUNT THIS LED MODULE TO YOUR EXISTING MICROSCOPE....REPLACES 100W HALOGEN OR SMALL WATTAGE LAMPS THAT ARE INSUFFICIENT FOR SERIOUS PHOTOMICROSCOPY USING THESE METHODS......STANDARD INTENSITY MODEL IS ABOUT $550.00 WITH THE ADAPTER FOR YOUR MICROSCOPE INCLUDED. HIGH INTENSITY MODEL IS IN THE $750.00 RANGE. NOTE: the high intensity LED version is TWICE AS BRIGHT AT THE STANDARD VERSION. PHOTO #4 BELOW shows the newest version mounted on the transmitted light port of the DIALUX. The lamp it replaced was a 15W bulb and bulky transformer.
CONTACT US FOR A QUOTATION. WE ACCEPT USA UNIVERSITY AND GOVERNMENT PURCHASE ORDERS WITH NET 30 PAYMENT TERMS. INDIVIDUALS AND PRIVATE COMPANIES MAY USE PAYPAL OR WIRE TRANSFER BANK TO BANK. PRIVATE SECTOR CHECKS ACCEPTED WITH APPROPRIATE CLEAR TIME IN ADVANCE OF SHIPMENT.
