This is description of this part:
Right eyepiece prism for the Leitz Wetzlar microscope head. This is the prism that passes the light beam from the central beamsplitter prism on to the left eyepiece.
This prism was removed from a Leitz Wetzlar binocular head P/N 512582 - but exactly the same one is also used in other models of binocular and trinocular heads.
Right means right as seen by the observer looking into the eyepieces. It is neither the central prism that splits the beam towards both eyes, nor the left eyepiece prism.
The last photo in the gallery shows a disassembled Leitz Wetzlar 512582 binocular head, with an arrow pointing to the prism in question and to its position inside the head. This makes the part easy to identify.
Replacing this prism in a Leitz Wetzlar microscope head can be the remedy for the following problems:
- if the prism in your head is mechanically damaged: it may be cracked or chipped
- if the prism to be replaced has a damaged anti-reflective coating: this may be caused by fungus, or the coating may be scratched by improper cleaning
- if discolouration or separation (delamination) is visible inside the prism. Over the years the cement can discolour or come apart in places, which is unfortunately visible in the field of view while working with the microscope
- if the reflective layer oxidises and loses its properties in places or completely
Before you decide to use this prism in a Leitz Wetzlar head other than model 512582, first compare the exact dimensions (a millimetre scale is visible in the photos) and, if in doubt, ask on internet groups and forums.
What is this part needed for?
- as a service part, to be fitted in a head with a damaged right prism, e.g. scratched, chipped, delaminated, with an oxidised reflective layer or damaged by fungus
