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Tardigrades, naturalists and the triplet distress (V)

We are going to show you a few magnifying devices which are rare to non-existent - even in the abundant internet. The recent issues of our magazine have helped to demonstrate that virtually all hand magnifiers, even the best, are far away from the capabilities of even the most modest compound microscope. Moreover, most of what can be performed by means of a magnifier can be done better by help of a low-mag dissecting microscope (stereo microscope). The following figures 1 and 2 are intended to demonstrate the tardigrade limit of a good 20x handheld magnifier:


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Fig. 1: Echiniscus tun (tardigrade in the dry state), visual impression when looking onto it with a good 20x handheld magnifier, in transmitted light.

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Fig. 2: The same scenario as above showing the visual impression when concentrating on the center of the field of view.

When comparing this to the view through a typical compund microscope you might feel a little bit disappointed as far as the loupe is concerned. But, still, the magnifier is far better than the bare eye.


[ 20x LED triplet magnifier image ]

Fig. 3: Echiniscus tun, as seen under the classical compund microscope (left), compared with the 20x hand magnifier (right). The magnifier image was zoomed to the same scale. The small markers on the scale are depicting 1/100 mm intervals (10 µm), with the length of the tardigrade being approximately 140 µm (0.14 mm). This is a truly tiny object for a magnifier and not too big for the microscope either.

Nevertheless, just for the sake of completeness we would like to mention that there exist a few magnifiers ranging above the 10x, 20x or 28x range. And no, these needn't be fraudulently labelled items. But please, be warned that there are many internet auction items claiming high field of view diameters in combination with exaggerated magnifications. A "40x" handheld magnifier with 30 mm lens diameter is double nonsense, of course: In many cases the mag specifications are not correct. And extremely high mag loupes will always come with extremely small lens diameters.
BTW, Leeuwenhoek used extreme single lens microscopes with really tiny lenses. These had magnifications of more than 100x up to even 250x. They were difficult to handle due to their extreme low working distance and low eye-relief.
When looking around in old catalogues you might come across so-called "Algensucher" instruments with 50x magnification like the ones depicted below.


[ 20x LED triplet magnifier, resolution check ]

Fig. 4: So-called "Algensucher" instruments (extreme single-lens magnifiers). Two different systems, the right one is probably marking a world miniaturization record.
Image source: MIKROKOSMOS magazine, 1915.

Still rarer are extremely high-mag folding magnifiers. They are objects of glamour for use by the extreme specialist in the field. Just have a look at the following example of this bizarre species:


[ ultra rare high mag folding magnifier ]

Fig. 5: Ultra rare, extremely strong, extremely tiny folding magnifier. We measured a magnification value of ca. 40 to 45. This is in perfect agreement with its engraving reading "6" (as a focal length of 6 mm is equivalent to a 42fold magnification). We think that those magnifiers were produced only in small numbers, for scientists, universities etc. The one shown was probably made in the early 20th century. The material appears to be nickel-plated brass. Its weight is 13 grams.

[ ultra rare high mag folding magnifier, head with optics  ]

Fig. 6: Detail view of the head of the magnifier shown in fig. 5. Please note the conical lens housing which is helpful in order to let a sufficient amount of ambient light find its way to the subject. The lens is tiny and it takes some practice to cleanly focus onto the subject. The optical quality and excellent usability are due to the true Steinheil triplet system (fig. 7) but also to a clever shield against stray-light by means of a recessed lens in a black cavity. Remember that no coated optics existed at the time of production. Overall the resolution and image quality are a dream and there appears to be no modern equivalent to this type of instrument.

[ ultra rare folding magnifier, three-lens Steinheil system  ]

Fig. 7: Optics of the ultra compact, ultra rare folding magnifier shown in fig. 6. This is a true, miniaturized Steinheil triplet, made up to three cemented lenses! The outer diameter is only 5 mm.

The magnifiers shown here are still ranging below the average collector's mental radar and probably will remain so. Those among you who are not proud owners of this type of instrument should console themselves by the fact that even the most modest dissecting microscope (in the 50 US $ range) will perform much better in the field.
On the other hand these tiny magnifiers are fascinating, miniaturized James Bond type, envy-causing gadgets ... the only problem being that they might be too small to be noted by the James Bond playmates.




© Text, images and video clips by  Martin Mach  (webmaster@baertierchen.de).
The Water Bear web base is a licensed and revised version of the German language monthly magazine  Bärtierchen-Journal . Style and grammar amendments by native speakers are warmly welcomed.


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