Objective Corrections - Differences between Achromatic, Plan, and Apochromatic Lenses

Hey folks! If you've dipped a toe into upgrading your microscope, you might have come across terms like "plan" and "apochromatic." And you've probably wondered - "is this something I really need?" Well in this video, we'll show off the same scene with some different lenses so you can get an idea of what to expect!

I'm comparing the Journey to the Microcosmos 10x objective with Olympus DPlan and SPlanApo objectives of the same magnification. You'll definitely be able to see the differences!

[mainchannel-lx]

Finally someone who explains optics simple and efficient.

[princetikki]

Yes! Finally! A microscope channel like I've always wanted!! You present in a perfect manner.

[andersdiab]

Dude, you have done what a week of google research couldn't do, thanks

[bendirval]

This is the best demonstration of these corrections I have ever seen. I need to bookmark this video so I can share it with folks who ask about this. One question: what's the deal with the reduced apparent contrast in your apo objective? Am I right in thinking that's because it is letting in more light due to the higher numerical aperture?

[OlesSavluk]

Finally, the explantion I was searching for!

[christopherjohnchilds]

Great video, I am able to understand the difference between the different types of lenses so much better thank you

[JoseLopez-bjqn]

Which video camera did you use to capture these? Looks great

[zoominmicroscopy]

Great demonstration and presentation!!!!

[scubaguy]

Thank you, very informative! I really enjoy your style.

[Mxdem]

This was very informative. Thank you so much!

[Mitch.Wasserman]

So informative and well done. Thank you.

[jardiminsidioso]

Nice video. I have a acromatic microscope and it´s very hard to film protists with focus, especially when they don´t stop moving. Now I know that worth make a upgrade.

[sjeiti]

Maybe slightly off-topic.. but what is the blobby worm on 0:12 of the intro? I found several of them in some muddy ditch water but cannot identify them.

[Laundry_Hamper]

It's strange, when talking about achromatic camera lenses, the nomenclature goes simple lens -> achromat -> apochromat -> superachromat, with each representing the degrees of "correction, " increasing the number of times the spectral curve crosses the line of perfect focus - once for an uncorrected lens, twice for a one-degree-of-correction flint-crown achromatic doublet, three times in an apo lens, and four times in a superachromat. The terminology isn't rigorous, and confuses people as "apo" is used to market lenses as having no chromatic aberration, which they still always will, and the amount of which will still vary from one lens formula to another. There aren't many lenses with "superachromat" labelling, and reading about it you are usually told fluorite glass is necessary to achieve the required three degrees of correction. This makes me suspect that all the expensive Canon "L" lenses which use a fluorite element are actually superachromats, just not labelled as such, and I also suspect that camera lenses using two formulations of low-dispersion glass are achieving superachromatic correction without fluorite (Sigma have a page describing their "exclusive low-dispersion glass" which mentions both two LD glass formulations AND fluorite, and suggests they build some lenses with all three, which I guess could result in a "superapochromat").

Anyway, the bit that confused me was "semiapochromat, " because I don't know how you could have one-and-a-half degrees of correction. Maybe the third crossing of the zero-error line is outside the visible spectrum, or the second correction brings the curve back towards the line, but never actually crosses it..?

Other questions: how do immersion lenses fit into all of this? Is there as much marketing wank in microscope objectives as there is in camera lenses? Are manufacturers allowed to use lead glass for their lenses? They aren't for cameras! 😅

[Connieisland]

Hi, can you please recommend a good microscope with good optics along with a good USB camera, mainly for videomicroscopy?
I don't have a massive budget but was thinking to do a step up from my beginner's microscope

[KuwPhotographer]

Hello .. I have the Motic BA210 LED .. What about updating to Plan Fluor?

[sandyjohnston]

Hi great channel. I am into amateur microphotography (beginner), just ordered a ‘scope with 4 plan pbjectives 4, 10, 40 and 100x.
I am trying to figure out whether or not to swap out my plan achromatic objectives for semi plan EP45 achromatic lenses. There does not seam to be any info on the latter and was hoping you, or your subscribers may be of help.
KEEP UP THE GREAR WORK. Love your presentation.
Sandy from NZ.

[naomi]

hell yes, very useful, didnt know where to even start looking for objectives, gona buy some cheap plan lens now

[normaalewoon]

Good video. What's up with the prices though? Everything seems to be way more expensive. Achromatic lenses are costing me up to 100 euros, plan achromats several hundreds and apochronats several thousands. Did you get them secondhand or am I looking for premium brands only?

[jorgelee]

I have an Omax, can i get Olympus SPlanApo for it? Appreciate your help