This is description of this part:
Side-mounted photo tube P/N 47 17 72 for the Carl Zeiss ICM 405 inverted microscope.
This is an optional accessory for the Carl Zeiss ICM 405 inverted microscope. Mechanically, this photo tube is mounted inside the microscope body, below the microscope head mount. It splits the light beam (image) travelling through the microscope head and eyepieces to the user's eyes. Part of the light beam is directed to the universal photo output.
Basic parameters of this photo tube:
Manufacturer: Carl Zeiss (Oberkochen, West Germany)
Catalog number: 47 17 72 (other notation: 471772 or 471772-9901)
Mounting to the microscope body: the tube is mounted inside the microscope, with only the adjustable output extending to the outside (a simple tube)
Camera mounting to the adapter: a straight tube with an inner diameter of 35 mm extends from the side of the microscope body. The outer diameter of the mounting section is approx. 39 mm
Focus adjustment: yes, the tube has a helical focusing ring for precise focus adjustment
Light beam splitting mode: the light beam is split (it is not 0/100 or 100/0), unfortunately I do not know the percentage of the light split (no documentation available)
Light-splitting element: partially reflecting beam-splitting mirror (not a cemented prism block)
This photo tube was removed from a Carl Zeiss ICM 405 microscope. However, it is a completely universal light-splitting tube, so with suitable DIY mounts it can be used in practically any microscope or other optical device (astronomical telescope, binoculars, spotting scope, spectrophotometer, etc.). The universal interface for connecting an image-recording device (a straight tube with a 35 mm inner diameter) allows, among other things, the use of digital cameras or DSLR cameras (with suitable adapters). Since the light beam is split, this output can be used for “simul-focal live” observation, meaning that in real time the same image can be seen simultaneously through the microscope eyepieces and by the camera.
The photos show the dimensions and exact appearance of this component from multiple angles. Additionally, the last photo shows the Zeiss ICM 405 microscope with an arrow indicating where this component is located on the microscope. This allows the component to be accurately identified and located.
The Carl Zeiss ICM 405 inverted microscope is an advanced version of the Carl Zeiss IM 35 inverted microscope. The main differences between the ICM 405 and the IM 35 are the ICM 405's more advanced microphotography capabilities.
However, many users treat these two models as essentially the same microscope and use the name “Zeiss IM 35” for both, sometimes only specifying that it is a “Zeiss IM 35 with photo output”.
Both models were also sold under the Opton brand, in which case they are respectively called Opton IM 35 and Opton ICM 405. Users often refer to them as a “Zeiss Opton microscope”.
Note: In one discussion on the Mikroskopie-Forum.de forum, it is mentioned that this tube was also used in Carl Zeiss Axiomat microscopes. The user refers to this component as “Zeiss 47 17 72-9901 Kino- und TV-Anschluß”, but I do not have documentation for this component and therefore cannot confirm this.
What is this part needed for?
- if you have a Carl Zeiss ICM 405 inverted microscope without a side photo output and want to add this component
- if you want to use this trinocular photo output for a DIY modification of another microscope or optical device
