This is description of this part:
Lens turret disc (the so-called lens wheel) for the "Optovar" magnification changer for Carl Zeiss Universal / Photomicroscope class microscopes.
In Zeiss Universal / Zeiss Photomicroscope class microscopes there is a rotating, turret-type "Optovar" magnification changer in the intermediate tube, above the objective nosepiece (not always - please note the remark on this further down in the description).
What I am offering here is the rotating lens wheel of this magnification changer together with the spring click-stop mechanism.
This item fits the magnification changer used in the following microscopes:
- Zeiss Universal
- Zeiss Photomicroscope I
- Zeiss Photomicroscope II
- Zeiss Photomicroscope III RS
- Zeiss Ultraphot
Some models of the Zeiss Universal microscope have no magnification changer in the intermediate tube.
The magnification changer turret offered here has 4 positions:
- PH - this is an empty position, because the Bertrand lens is located higher up in the intermediate tube, in a horizontally sliding tube, together with the prisms that split the light beam towards the photo port
- 1,25x - this is the lens of the basic magnification for observation
- 1,6x - additional magnification lens
- 2x - additional magnification lens
In addition, this item has a sheet-metal detent (the so-called click-stop) that locks the lens wheel in the exact position.
VERY IMPORTANT - this is not a complete "Optovar" magnification changer. It is a service part - a component for repairing a magnification changer.
This item is intended for those who already have such a magnification changer in their microscope, but it needs replacement or repair, for example because its lens (or one of its lenses) has come apart (delamination) or has been damaged by mould. In that case the item offered here can be used to replace the whole lens wheel, or a particular lens can be taken out of it.
Over the years the Carl Zeiss Photomicroscope series microscopes have acquired various names by which users commonly refer to them. These include, among others:
- Zeiss Photomikroskop
- PM, e.g. Zeiss PM II or Zeiss PM III
- Zeiss Phomi, e.g. Zeiss Phomi II
It should also be mentioned that the Zeiss Photomicroscope microscopes were sold under the Opton brand as well.
The last photo in the gallery shows the photo intermediate tube removed from a Carl Zeiss Photomicroscope III microscope, with an arrow indicating which item is meant and where this lens turret ring is located in that tube.
In addition, the film available in the video gallery shows this lens turret from various angles and the movement of its moving parts.
What is this part needed for?
- if you have a microscope in which this item is missing
- as a repair part, in the form of replacing the whole damaged item
- if you have a microscope in which this item does work, but is of very poor quality, for example has individual damaged lenses
- if you want to use this magnification changer or its individual magnifying lenses for your own DIY project
