Ralf:
 
We have a 40X water immersion lens for our Zeiss CLSM and we have used it
extensively.  It is very nice for examination of live cultures in petri
dishes.  We like it so much that we have placed an order for a 63X water
immersion.  However, one VERY IMPORTANT note:  our system is based on an
upright microscope. I cannot see how a water immersion lens can even be
used for an inverted microscope.  These lenses are specifically designed
for the upright microscopes to compensate for the small working distance
when one examines specimen in deep dishes, e.g. petri.  Besides the oil
immersion oils are always preferable if they can be used.   In addition, it
seems to me that you already have one of Zeiss's best lenses, the 63X/1.4.
The currently available water immersion 63X cannot match your 63X oil
immersion in performance.  So, in my humble oppinion the large sum of money
for a water immersion lens can be spent better on another enhancement to
your system which is based on an inverted microscope.
 
 
>Hello all,
>
>a few day ago I was told it would be an improvement to use an water immersion
>objective on our Zeiss CLSM based on an inverted microscope.
>At the moment we are using (mainly) a 40x/1.3 and a 63x/1.4 (both oil immer-
>sion) objective.
>
>Has anyone experiences with water immersion objectives? Does it make sense
>to use them with an inverted microscope or only with upright ones?
>
>Thank you for help
>Ralf
>--
>Ralf Steinmeyer                   ([log in to unmask])
>UNI Hannover                                            Herrenhaeuser Str. 2
>Inst. f. Biophysik                                      30419 Hannover
 
Sincerely,
 
Kamiar Moin, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Pharmacology
Wayne State University School of Medicine
Detroit, MI 48201
 
Tel:  (313)577-0514
        (313)577-1112
FAX: (313)577-6739
E-mail:  [log in to unmask]