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Microscope Illuminators

Illuminators are available for most popular models of microscope. If your model is not listed in the table below, please ask. An illuminator can usually still be fitted. The light source is approximately 20 high-intensity LEDs. The LEDs mount around the objective of the microscope to get the light where it is needed in a shadow-free pattern. The construction is open, with no actual housing, but due to its very low voltage operation, the shock hazard is nil. The mounts connect to existing holes on the microscope and no modification to the microscope is needed.

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LED Selection:

 

Two basic LED types are available standard:

 

Cool White       ~9400K Color temp    

                         46 candela brightness each LED

Warm White    ~4000K Color temp    

                         20 candela brightness each LED

LW UV 395 nm unfiltered LW UV

 

Cool white is brightest, but lacks warmer colors at the red end of the spectrum. Inexpensive.

Warm White is about 1/2 the brightness, but gives excellent warm color representation. Costly.

 

The usual configuration is half cool white and half warm white, for a good compromise of brightness, color, and cost.​

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For an additional fee, an extra ring of LW UV LEDs can be added. These have a separate on/off switch for flexibility.

 

These illuminators are not optimized for photography. They are for visual observation only.

 

All illuminators are designed to use a 5V USB-C phone charger. (Older versions used a 120V wall adapter; these have been phased out, but replacements are available.)

 

NOTE: Some assembly is required. Instructions are included. Swarf Systems will do all assembly and alignment free of charge if the customer delivers the microscope. Installation and alignment usually take around 5-10 minutes.​

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As with all Swarf Systems products, the microscope illuminators come with a lifetime warranty. If any failure occurs please contact us for instructions.

Supported Microscopes

Model  ...................................................  Price

 

Bausch & Lomb (Cambridge)  SZ4 .......... $180

Bausch & Lomb (Cambridge)  SZ7 .......... $180

Leica Zoom 2000  ......................................... $200

Leitz 511 .......... $250 (Install by Swarf Systems only)

Meiji EMZ-TR  ................................................. $200

Mikon MBS-1-10  .......................................... $200

Mitutoyo M-Plan family including APO ... $180

Nikon SMZ-2 .................................................. $180

Nikon SMZ-2B ............................................... $180

Olympus SZX16 ............................................ $180

Swift M80  ........ $275 (Install by Swarf Systems only)

Wild M5 ........................................................... $180

LW UV LEDs......6-9..Add $30...10-14..Add $50

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USA Wall Adapter (5V 2A) ........................ $11.00

NOTE: Prices shown are for half-and-half LED configuration. For cool-white only, subtract $15; for warm-white only, add $25.

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"I've been using my Cambridge microscope for almost 10 years now and recently had Ted Hadley fabricate a custom LED light assembly for it.  An excellent accessory that has enabled me to see so much more now in my minerals."

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"I've had two scopes outfitted with Swarf LED lighting with one that has an alternative light temperature spectrum model that is easily interchangeable"

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    -- Dan Evanich, Calminco, San Jose, CA

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“ ... the beauty of the ringlight is that the illumination is ALWAYS in the right place.  Not having to monkey around with the goosenecks is a joy, and I've cleared more space on my office desk upstairs, where I do most of my mineral observation.  I'm trying to decide if I want to get another ringlight installed on my travel scope as well.” (He did indeed buy a second illuminator.)

 

     -- Al Wilkins, Coto de Caza, CA, 2019

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​General Specifications

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 Power Requirements:      5.0VDC 400mA +/- depending on LED configuration

 Power Source:                  USB-C (or UL Listed wall adapter, 2.4 W legacy)

 Color Temp:                       9000K (cool white), 3000K (warm white)

 Beam angle:                      15 degrees

 Mount:                                Aluminum

 Light board:                       FR4 glass epoxy UL94V-0 compliant

“I installed it in less than 1 minute!”   

 

   - Ron DeBlois, Hollis, NH, 2017

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Nikon mounted

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Nikon mounted showing LEDs

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Nikon unmounted

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Nikon showing half-and-half LED configuration

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B&L SZ4 old style showing all cool white LED configuration

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