http://confocal-microscopy-list.275.s1.nabble.com/Oil-inside-lenses-tp7580369p7580375.html
I feel your pain regarding the stage collisions. We had a 60x water crush
by a stage not once but twice. Cost $2k to fix each time. Finally between
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>
> Hi Claire,
> Are these on inverted stands? At least up to the Axio line, Zeiss lenses
> telescoped with the nosepiece retracting into the barrel. Oil can seep
> down through the seal where the nose retract into the barrel. A "scrunchie"
> hair retainer wrapped around the nosepiece will retard the drips and
> provide time to check lenses periodically.
>
> My problem is motorized stages, not oil. In a collision, the stage always
> wins. My current quote from Zeiss to repair a 100X oil is about US$3300.
>
>
> Glen MacDonald
> Core for Communication Research
> Virginia Merrill Bloedel Hearing Research Center
> Cellular Morphology Core
> Center on Human Development and Disability
> Box 357923
> University of Washington
> Seattle, WA 98195-7923 USA
> (206) 616-4156
>
[hidden email]
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On May 27, 2013, at 4:37 PM, "Claire Brown, Dr." <
[hidden email]>
> wrote:
>
> > *****
> > To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> >
http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy> > *****
> >
> > We are relatively routinely seeing oil inside of our Zeiss 63x oil
> immersion lenses. You end up with a bead of oil inside that acts as a lens
> itself and the lens is unusable.
> >
> > As far as we can tell, it usually happens after prolonged use over many
> years. We are at a point now where our lenses are "old" and Zeiss cannot
> repair them because the parts are no longer available. It costs us $6-8,000
> to replace them. With 13 microscopes we have one lens failing every 6-12
> months or so. I can't afford to keep replacing these lenses and with this
> becoming a "routine" occurrence I want to seek out advice about why this
> might be happening. Our users are well trained and I don't think it is
> neglect by them. I think this is due to routine use.
> >
> > I have two questions:
> >
> >
> > 1) "Is there a defect in how these lenses are made?"
> >
> > For example, perhaps the seals on the front lenses degrade over time -
> we inspect our lenses regularly and many that have had oil inside have no
> obvious damage by visual inspection. Maybe they need to be resealed every
> year or two, maybe an internal seal degrades over time? Preventative
> maintenance of these lenses or a change in how they are manufactured would
> certainly cost less than $8,000 I would think.
> >
> >
> >
> > 2) "Do people have a similar problem with oil immersion lenses from
> the other major manufacturers?"
> >
> > I look forward to some input here.
> >
> > Sincerely,
> >
> > Claire
> >
> >
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > CANADIAN CYTOMETRY AND MICROSCOPY SYMPOSIUM - MONTREAL JUNE 13-15 -
>
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> > Claire M. Brown, PhD - McGill University - Assistant Professor,
> Physiology - Life Sciences Complex Imaging Facility Director
> > 3649 Promenade Sir William Osler - Bellini Building - Rm 137A - Montreal
> - Quebec - H3G 0B1
> > 514-398-4400 ext 00795 (Phone) - 514-677-7493 (Cell) - 514-398-7452 (FAX)
> >
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http://www.mcgill.ca/lifesciencescomplex/core/imaging>