I agree with Barbara's comments on immersion oils but disagree about
not using Kimwipes.  I too had heard the rumors that they were
dangerous for objectives but after reading Shinya Inoue's Video
Microscopy book (first edition, p. 140) in which he recommends using
Kimwipes (tho he warns against using Kleenex since it contains hard
substances),  I switched and have never seen the hint of a problem.
they are cheaper than lens paper and i think it is better to go
through lots of kimwipes rather than carefully using more expensive
paper.  I don't have any stock in Kimberly Clark (the manufacturer of
Kimwipes).

We use Kimwipes for the 4 scopes in our core facility, the 3 in my
lab and the 36 in my undergraduate Histology course.  In fact, my
favorite Bonus question on the practical exam in the Histo course is
to have a slide with a piece of toluidine blue soaked kimwipe on it.
For some reason, none of the students can "name this common tissue"
even though I leave a box of Kimwipes right next to the microscope.
Tom


>
>tip: if you are going to be using oil frequently, just wipe off the surface
>of the optics gently with a clean piece of lens tissue (not Kim-wipe!!!)
>between uses.  Clean thoroughly about once a week with a good solvent
>(Kodak lens cleaner or something similar).
>
>Best regards,
>Barbara Foster
>Microscopy/Microscopy Education
>125 Paridon Street, Suite 102
>Springfield, MA 01118
>PH: 413-746-6931  FX: 413-746-9311  Web: www.MME-Microscopy.com/education
>
>"Why didn't they teach us that sooner?"  ... probably because no one
>thought to call MME about customized, on-site courses.  Offered in all
>areas of microscopy, sample prep,and image analysis, they make an immediate
>impact on your productivity.
>@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
>
>
>At 04:41 PM 4/5/01 +0100, you wrote:
>>Try this ones
>>
>>http://www.2spi.com/catalog/ltmic/cargille.html
>>
>>
>>         Just a quick question.  What is the best immersion oil for confocal
>>microscopy?  Does it matter if the scope is inverted in terms of viscosity?
>>
>>
>>
>>>  D. Scott Snyder, Ph.D.
>>>  email [log in to unmask]
>>>  Phone:  (406) 363-9373 ext 373
>>>  Fax: (406) 363-9371
>>>  Rocky Mountain Laboratories
>>>  National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
>>  > National Institutes of Health
>>  > 903 S.4th St.
>>  > Hamilton MT 59840

--
Thomas E. Phillips, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biological Sciences
Director, Molecular Cytology Core Facility

3 Tucker Hall
Division of Biological Sciences
University of Missouri
Columbia, MO 65211-7400
(573)-882-4712 (voice)
(573)-882-0123 (fax)