Field of view-how do I get more?

[Tom Curran]

Dear Abby,

I am finding I want MORE field of view, and LESS magnification. What can I do? I am struggling with this issue, seeing my work look so big, and then can't find it when I take the scope away. Seriously, my work often does not need the high power available in my scope. But I LOVE the clarity and lack of eyestrain.

I have a Meiji scope EMZ, with a .5 objective.

Wondering in upstate NY,

Thanks, Tom

 

[Cody]

Dear wondering,

for those occasions where a wider FOV and less magnification is desireable, you may consider an optivisor with a #10 lens.

 

[Ray Cover]

Tom,

You have some options. The main two I can think of is

1. get your self a set of 5X WF eyepieces to replace the 10X eyepieces that came with your scope. This will cut your magnification in half but will not effect your work distance under the scope. Get the widest lens opening you can find in a 5x lense. I beleive the meiji has a 30.5 mm bore which is the most common size for stereo zoom scopes which is a good thing.

2. you can drop down to a .3 reduction (barlow) lens this will reduce your magnification but it will also increase your work distance under the scope a little bit.

Ray

 

[pilkguns]

Dear Wondering,

In regards the that given from my a fellow advice columnist, RayAnn Landers, but 5x eyepieces won't aexpand your feild of view your feild of view significantly, not enough that you will see any major difference. Changing the objective lense to .3 will certianaly give you much more FOV, but as RayAnn mentioned, it will also give you too much working distance at the same time. The .3 is also very "foggy" looking compared to normal microscope clarity.

As Cody mentioned, a number 10 optivisor is probably your most useful aid if your work is such a large size that you need a wider FOV. A 10 Optivisor is 3.5 x which is the same power as a Meiji EMZ scope with 10x eypeices and a .5 objective. Set your work to the correct working distance and and you should be just as comfortable as with the scope.

 

[Tom Curran]

Thanks, friends.
Sometimes you get thinking more tech is better. I have a great set of optivisors, and forgot about them entirely.
Tom

 

[leschowe]

Hi Tom,
I purchased my Meiji EMZ microscope from GRS and I have been considering some
of the same issues as you. In the paperwork which I received with the scope
there is a chart which shows the specifications for different "Auzillary Lens"
that you can purchase for your scope. I called the sales people at GRS and
was told that the cost for a replacement lens is about $90. Below are a
few of the specification, in inches from the chart which you may be interested in
(note that a .5X Aux.lens and a SWF10X Eye Piece came with my scope):

Aux. Magnification Field of View Working
Lens Range Diameter Distance

0.5X 3.50X - 22.5X 2.58 - 0.4 5.91
0.44X 3.08X - 19.8X 2.93 - 0.45 7.13
0.30X 2.10X - 13.5X 4.29 - 0.67 9.25

If you you need the full chart I could make a copy and send it to you.


Les Schowe

 

[pilkguns]

I have never seen .44 at least not on a microscope ;^)

FWIW for most people under the height of 5'8" I recommend the .75 objective as the best for their physique

 

[TallGary]

I usually use the .5 objective for everything, just crank back on the magnification for the widest field of view. I do have .44 and .30 objectives that I use when I want more working room under the microscope. They will also give a wider field of view than the .50 lens. Seems like the lower the power of the objective the more spherical aberration issues arise -- in focus at the center , slightly blurry at the edges.

Any way, I think an objective somewhere between the .30 and the .44 lens would work best for me. Say about .357 or so.

Gary