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RHEINBERG Filters Hand Made and Precision Cut For Your Microscope |
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In addition to my research on tardigrades, I make Rheinberg filters. You can see all about them on this web site. If you would like me to make a customized set for you, and then list them in e-bay, complete the details in the bottom of this box. Or have fun making your own filters and share your ideas with me! |
Above, you see the thin plastic laminated filter set. You can mix and match center stop and annulus ring to give you more colors and combinations. You can overlay annulus rings to give you different colors as well.
Are these high quality optical glass filters? NO. You would pay about $40.- each for a solid optical glass filter.
This is an affordable collection for the serious amateur, university student, or even creative professional- in thin plastic in a nice assortment. You simply can not purchase ready made optical glass cut into rings in these colors. When we find a way to do it- you will be the first to know. Therefore- we highly recommend these- which are hand cut from various plastic laminates, filter materials, and adhesive films.
What is in a typical set? You get as few as in the basic set above - nine or ten annulus rings, with four center stop colors. Or you can get as many as the deluxe set below: twenty-three (23) clear laminated filters with with center stop colors. You get 4 shades of green, 2 shades of yellow, 4 shades of blue, 4 shades of red, 2 shades of brown, 3 shades of purple, and 4 black sizes which give you darkfield with several objectives- The 4 sizes of black allow you more flexibility to use different objectives from 2.5x through 20x. The bigger the center stop- the higher the objective power you can use.
Because these are very thin plastic, you may stack several colors to either increase density or make new colors. (In case you didn't know- The clear filters with center stop create the background color, while the annulus ring creates the subject color.)
Again- about the above shown fourteen (14) rings: These overlays- or annulus filters- determine the subject color. These laminated rings are in a wide variety of colors, also stackable to increase density or create new colors. Included are 2 shades of green, 2 shades of red, pink, orange, yellow, 4 shades of blue, and 3 combination-color rings. These combination rings also may be stacked to create additional colors, by offsetting the semi-circles at 90 degree angles to create quadrants of color.
Do It Yourself Differential Interference Contrast
What are those weird looking blue filters with the pie slices and offset hole? That is from a totally different project called DIY-DIC, or Do It Yourself Differential Interference Contrast. It's a poor man's DIC, that gives you relief in oblique lighting. I make these filters as well. Here's the link to Wim van Egmond's page explaining it all. Wim is a super microscopist and photographer.
Directly below is a photo of diatoms using 25X Zeiss objective, an orange center stop Rheinberg filter, and a DIY/DIC shape to produce the oblique illumination. These filters are experimental and work differently and unpredictably with each microscope and condenser combination. No guarantee you will get the same effect. But is it fun trying.
Customer Comment:
As a newbie to the field of microscopy, I found Mike Shaw online in searching for information on filters for my new 'scope. He has been just great, working closely with me to build a full set of filters to fit exactly, and providing great guidance along the way. You will find him most patient and very knowledgeable, as well as fair in his pricing and very responsive to questions. A great resource to amateur microscopists everywhere!
Pam R
Above, you see a condenser with swing out filter holder, having a white diffusion filter (just for photo clarity) in the place where your Rheinberg filters will be placed. This particular condenser can hold up to 5mm in thickness. In doubling up the filters, you'll wind up with a thickness of about 1.5mm to 2mm approximately. So you need to be sure your swing-out filter holder can handle some thickness. (If you want heavy acrylic filters, you'll need to accomodate a thickness of about 3mm and double that for stacking!)
Note- you must not stop down your condenser diaphragm. You need more light, obviously, and stopping down interferes with Rheinberg effect. Likewise, you must not stop down your base illuminator field diaphragm. No stopping down below the condenser- or you will lose the effect!
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Solid color non-Rheinberg filters: Also available are solid colors as well. See below photos. Some people don't have these colors in their filter collection. Available are 11 solid colors: 2 shades of green, 3 shades of blue, pink, yellow, red, 1 neutral density shade. Again- they're plastic, not high quality optical glass, but if you don't have some of these colors- it's an affordable way to be creative.
Lastly- available are solid oblique filters- that you use to simulate a 3-d or relief effect- kind of a poor man's differential interference contrast (DIC). See above large assortment photo. Different shapes work differently depending upon your microscope- so these are for experimentation, as I don't know what will work for you. No guarantee on this- but let us know what works for you and we will pass this information on to all. You get some basic printed info on how to create this effect included with the filters.
The BLACK center stop gives you a darkfield effect. When used in combination with a light blue overlay ring, your subject has a natural color against a black background. See Vorticella below.
Various other combinations are shown below.
Hydra was taken with green center stop and yellow overlay. Salt crystals with red center stop and blue overlay ring.
Technical Stuff: These center-stop and overlay rings work great using 10x objectives and below (i.e. 4x). Even using a 20x objective, should give you very good results. But, you generally can not use these with a 40x objective and higher because the precision needed in matching your objective and the center stop size is very, very critical and varies between microscopes and objectives manufacturers. If you want a darkfield effect using the higher objectives, you generally have to use a special darkfield condenser. We alwaysinclude a larger black darkfield stop you can try with a 40x objective- but no guarantee !
If most of your observations are in the range of 200 power and below- which they probably are- then these are great.
Above Daphnia photo was taken with green center stop, and daylight blue outer ring (annulus).
If you've never used darkfield at all, then you are in for a treat, because you can hardly see many things, most microlife, as they are clear. Suddenly vorticella, paramecium, and all sorts of microorganisms pop out in brilliant whiteness against the dark background.
As you may know, bacteria are extremely hard to see, and usually require 1) fixing as dead, and 2) special staining and very high power- say 400x and up. Well, using darkfield, you can see the teeny tiny sparkling bacteria (many species) at 100X and 200X- LIVE! In fact, I never saw bacteria until I used my darkfield stop filter. I was amazed. So if you are new to all this, it will definitely take you to the next level. Remember- be sure of your filter size, and let me know your requirements, as these are approx 32mm in diameter. If you are experienced, and want a special color Rheinberg ring, also let me know. Say you want to take picture of rotifers in peach or salmon color- really nice, then let me know you want that color Rheinberg ring in a separate e-mail.
Above photo of hydra was taken using purple center stop with yellow outer ring.
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Note- I can make custom colors and combinations as well- upon request. Finally, I will unconditionally guarantee these for you, for 90 days, as I want them to work in your particular set up. Therefore- if you need adjustments made to the size of the center stop, or the filter size, I will make those adjustments. Just let me know. If you have questions- just e-mail me, and I'll help you work out details for your particular scope.
Customer Comment:
Hi Mike,
The filters just arrived and I have to say that I am ABSOLUTELY FLOORED and
THRILLED at the quality and quantity of the product. I am completely blown
away. You outdid yourself and I will recommend you to anyone and everyone
I can.
THANK YOU!
Thanks for the article, magazine and case with foam inserts. Man! I did NOT
expect all that!
Please add me to any email lists you have and keep me abreast of any new products
you come out with.
Fantastic work! THANK YOU AGAIN!
Robb
For more information on Rheinberg Illumination - click on this great site:
I often list these filters on E-Bay where you can order- once I have listed your custom made set.
Go to e-bay and search under "Microscope accessories."
Do you want to try making your own Rheinberg Filters? There are lots of articles about this, and people use various materials and techniques. Some people use their ink-jet printer to print the circles, others use blister-pack plastic from stuff you buy in the store, or CD case plastic. You can try layering Avery stick-on transparent colored dot labels (which peel off eventually). You can use circle cutters that have a sharp blade.Others use inkjet printers on transparent film (I do not do this). I've simply elevated this to a higher level of precision, consistency, and better quality materials with a greater variety of colors. I use machine tool punches with a small punch press, and work with each person to ensure the center stop diameter matches a particular microscope. Here are some links to articles on DIY Rheinberg in case you are feeling adventurous:
Email address: mike@theshaws.com
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