Zeiss microscope of unknown age and model - though I might have a better idea if I looked carefully innit.
Redated this thirteenth day of January, 2011

Click thumbnail for a less microscopic picture...








Wotsit?

Another view of a wotsit

The wotsit has a swivelled mirror at one end of the tube. Inside, and at 45 degrees to this here is a projection into the larger barrel which has a clear strip at the top, in which appears a sliver of an image of what the mirror is pointed at.

The 'wotsit' has been identified as a vertical illuminator, for top-lighting opaque specimens. When the mirror beams the illumination down the tube, a rectangular pool of light is shone downwards.

While a high-intensity "white" LED is sufficient in intensity to illuminate weakly the subject, the lolly-stick I tried it out on was suffused with a nasty weak bluey-grey light. Not recommended.

Optical micrometer

Optical micrometer revisited

Optical micrometer listening to what Wotsit is saying.

Vertical illuminator (ex-wotsit) in place, with contemporary light sauce - er - source.

Another angle on the Vertical Illuminator.

Full frontal view, vertical illuminator (ex-wotsit) in place.

Optical micrometer fitted.

View from beneath the level of the table, showing condenser, mirror, filter-holder (swung out), vertical illumintor, optical micrometer - the works, in fact.

Any information on this instrument and pointers to recommended vendors of extra lenses would be gratefully received.


Recent acquisition: this little microscope has no (visible)maker's name.nor any indication of age. I'dguess it's somewhere between late 19th century and early 20th
 :  

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