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I'm new to this forum and haven't used a microscope since college which for me was a turn key operation meant for observation and not “playing with the microscope”. Now that I’m starting from scratch I have many questions.

I got concerned with what might be in my pool water after Montezuma paid me a visit last summer. Thanks for asking; I’m just fine now and hope to remain that way. I believe around 250X and higher should work fine. At this moment I’m just concerned (obsessed) with setting up to check my pool water for anything that shouldn’t be there. If anyone has experience with this particular investigation I’d appreciate any and all help.

I bought two scopes off of eBay a while back and since have done some maintenance because the mechanical stage and both Abbes were frozen in place. I lightly cleaned the one eyepiece I have with Windex and a Q tip but have yet to clean any objectives until I’m sure how to do this the safest way.

I did tear down an old web cam and made coarse adjustments to see if it was going to be able to do what I was hoping for; so far so good. My hair at 430X…

I have some concerns and questions about the B&L.

From the top of the tube (without the eyepiece) to the bottom of the nose piece (without the objective) is 155.4mm. It’s my understanding that the standard is 160mm, which is exactly what my AO Spencer is.

Are my B&L’s optics interchangeable with the other “standard” scopes or are they proprietary? Would I need 4.6mm shims under the eyepiece lip to use a common eyepiece? The reason I ask is because I believe I might want a wide field eyepiece.

I assume a wide field would be a lot easer to look through than the pinhole I have now. I also have so little eye relief I can’t wear glasses.

I haven’t been able to get any information on this B&L scope. I assume it’s from the 40’s or 50’s and a student scope model. Tag on base says “New YorkUniversity”. Are there any old catalogues on line I could browse?

Would an apochromatic objective give make that much difference? If so, would I have to change anything else to accommodate it?

I’ll stop for now so as not to wear out my welcome. I hope in the near future I can pick your brains some more. I have many more questions, and I’m sure as I get answers I’ll have even more questions.

Thanks,
Bob

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Welcome to the group Lostuzer,
What sort of pool are you talking about ? I'll take a stab at some of your questions.
You can clean the front of the objective just as you did the eyepiece, using your Q-tip and lens cleaner, just be sure to use very little lens cleaner. I think the objectives are interchangeable between microscopes although I'm not sure why you would seeing that they are basically the same. The easiest way to see how they work when moved from frame to frame is to do it and record what happens. I would definitely be in favor of a 10XWF eyepiece. It will make viewing much more comfortable. The AO is a 1947 model and the B&L is a 1951. Both of these scopes would have been found in university settings as well as medical practices. I know a doctor who is still using one just like the AO. The B&L scope originally had a sub-stage illuminator, a small box with a light bulb in it. I wouldn't worry about the apochromat at this point. You've pretty well emptied my brain... Keep us posted as you make progress. g2b2

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A pixel is worth a thousand words but it takes a thousand words to explain a pixel. g2b2

G2b2,

Thanks for responding. I appreciate the good advice.

I'm considering buying a different eyepiece. Could you or someone else recommend a decent economy model with better relief and wider field of view? I found one, pic below, which will fit (23mm) but is it one that will accomplish what I looking for?

I must clarify something. When talking about Montezuma's revenge I guess "pool water" could take on new meaning. In the early part of last year we bought and moved into a home with an existing pool

Since my bout I've had the pool refinished and refilled with fresh water but if I've had a problem before, providing the previous occupants weren't the only source of contamination, I could have a problem again. These possible sources include ground runoff water contaminated with animal waste and birds doing their business overhead.

Thanks,
Bob

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Hi Bob,
Nice pool, where's the Pina Colada ?
The eyepiece you are looking at is not exactly the right one but should work ok. One important feature to look at is the field number (FN) and although I can't be sure this one may be 18. The field number tells what the field of view diameter will be or, how wide the field is. A FN of 18 will give a field of 1.8mm when using the 10X objective. If you are interested I may be able to help you with this quest.

g2b2

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A pixel is worth a thousand words but it takes a thousand words to explain a pixel. g2b2

I'm no expert, but I think you might want to have a look at Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater. As you might gather from the title, it is the authoritative work on the subject.

Based on my limited experience with water testing, I think you might have better luck using filtration to concentrate samples and culture techniques to demonstrate presence or absence of possible pathogenic organisms. As much as I hate to say it in this crowd, a microscope may not be necessary for the task you have in mind.

That said, it seems to me that you have not established cause and effect between your pool and your illness. I have had two or three bouts of Montezuma's Revenge over the past many decades, and I can't even remember the last time I was in a swimming pool. I think if you just treat the pool according prescribed procedure, you should be just fine.

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John Karlsson
Hope Valley, RI

Don't count your chickens until they have burned their bridges behind them.

G2b2 and karlssoni,

Sorry so long in replying. I’ve been out of town and am still playing catch-up.

When I get freed up and after some research I'd like to respond in greater depth.

Thanks for responding with good information and advice.
Bob