Toyota's troubles are getting worse

Serious? I like my Nikon much better than my Zeiss. Especially under Normarski optics. I find the Nikon has a greater working distance whereas with the Zeiss, you have to mash the front objective up to the slide to see anything. I am using inverted optics.

Although I do admit that the Leica microminupulators are better than the Japanese ones. Which German scope are you using? I'll give it a try.

I am only aware of Nikon and Zeiss although I admit I have not given it much thought because the Nikon is so good. I am open minded and I'll give the rep a call if you make a suggestion.

 

I have a Leica.

 

Thanks. I got to try it out since, as I stated in my post, I really like the Leica microminipulators but I prefer the Nikon optics. I've never tried Leica optics though. I'll have the salesman bring one by.

 

I thought that's how you were supposed to use a microscope: jam the objective into the slide. At least that's how I always use them.

Tom

 

Yes. You are correct. That's the traditional way to use one for observational science. And if you jam real close, you need some oil for the immersion objective.

As you can tell from my post, I do things under 60x 100x and 200x. I use manipulators. For guys using manipulators, long focal length or more plainly a lot of working distance between the objective and the slide gives you more wiggle room.

I use a $20K Nikon and a $50K Zeiss. I prefer the Nikon. The picture just looks better. The Zeiss collects dust. I was forced to buy it because the microscope salesman is friendly with the guy who holds the purse strings. I don't use the Zeiss even though it takes up a lot of space. I actually find it too complex and takes too long to align so it is the total inverse of Indyking's experience. But I am sure we are using it for different purposes so I would not discount his assessments.

I don't know if Leica makes what I want. I'll have to ask around.

A good research microscope is a beautiful thing. It is almost like an extension of your eyes and hands (with microminipulators).

 

I guess I'm way off topic here, but I would rather talk about microscopes. Besides, somehow I think you guys would prefer my comments about scopes than the Prius

I use 4x, 10x, 20x, and 40x, all dry, no immersion oil. Actually most of the time I'm driving with the 10x or 20x. My group has Nikons, Leica, and Olympus. Everybody loves my Leica, certain special stains is a pain in the Nikon, and the Leica is unbeatable when I have to use fluorescence.

Leicas lenses traditionally give a sharper image than Nikons, but the problem is the price.

 

How does the Nikon compare with the Olympus? Between the two, which one do you prefer?

I agree that German optics are nice. Very good edge to edge sharpeness. However, I like Nikon's Normarski's prism and the long working distance. The microscope technician was upset with me because I was not using the optics properly. On the other hand, I like what I see so I don't need somebody telling me how I should use my scope with my time. I want to tell him, just clean the scope and get out - remember who is paying you.

On the other hand, the manager keep getting me Zeiss equipment I don't want. That's the problem when the guy handling the money is not the guy doing research. You can't just get me top shelf products and expect me to produce. You should get me what I ask for - even though it is cheaper, it is better. Trust the guy in the field.

 

I know what you mean about long focal lengths. Among other things, I design printed circuit boards. When I build prototype boards, I have to hand solder ICs with leads that look like the hairs on a cat's nose. All I can say is "thank god for capillary action."

Tom

 

I'm not sure what kind of specimens you look at, but to look at histologic slides, like I do, the Leica delivers a sharper image compared to the Nikons from my colleagues. Most Nikons in my dept are old but one coleague has a very new and modern one loaded with technology, but the optics on it are still similar to the old Nikons. Some very subtle changes we see with the aid of special stains have poor contrast in the Nikons and Olympus for some reason, but not in the Leica. The contractor who maitain our scopes (25 years of experience) says that Leica typically have the best optics.

 

Printed circuit boards? I don't think you used to work for a competitor of mine like you said in a previous post... Doesn't seem to fit...

 

It was a large pharmaceutical company. Well, not large by today's standards, but fairly large at the time.

Tom

 

Did your previous pharmaceutical company got bought by a much larger one which now merged with another big one to create the ultimate gigantic company?