Was ist so Besonders an den Leitz SM Mikroskopen bis 1970

[Ulf Titze]

Hi René,

Nichts für ungut Ulf, the image difference between a standard 20x with nA 0.4 and one with 0.7 is really something else. At least for plankton.

I'm not convinced that the difference in practical usefulness is as dramatic as you suggest, even when it comes to numerical aperture. I don't doubt that the images look different. But what relevant details can you actually see with the 20×/0.7 that you cannot see with a good 20×/0.4?

In my own field, no one has ever shown me a diagnostic feature that required a highly corrected or higher-NA objective to recognise. I'd be interested to see a concrete example from plankton microscopy: a feature needed for identification that is visible with one objective and cannot be resolved with the other.

Best,
Ulf

[Rene]

Hello Ulf, of course you're right: it is not about the need for more information (resolution), it is about the Erlebnis. The contrast, the intensity of the color of the chloroplasts. There is no comparison. As most people here on the forum, I'm also in it for the enjoyment

Best, René

[Jürgen Boschert]

Hi Rene and Ulf,

its just that the images of the high numerical lenses are outstandingly crispy. I have no access to infintiy optics, just the Zeiss 160mm corrected lenses. But I can tell by comparing the Neofluar 25/0.5 and the Plan-Neofluar 25/0.8 Imm. Working with the latter is just WOW, especially using DIC. It´s actually my favourite objective.

[rhamvossen]

Hello,

Yes, the high NA objectives give crispier images in e.g. brightfield. But what about darkfield? René, would you say that the Erlebnis is the same in darkfield? I recently posted an image elsewhere were you can clearly see the disadvantages of a high NA in darkfield. There is no single best objective, it all depends on what you look at and the illumination technique that's being used. Best,

Rolf

[Rene]

oef, little experience with that, but I would say DF works best for lower mags/nA.

I agree, what is best depends on the specimen. But just look at a normal 4x/0.10 versus planapo 4x with nA 0.20. Or a normal 10x compared to the Wild Fluotar 10x/0.40. For pondlife it's like black and white versus colour tv.

Best, René