MACT Loc: Connecticut

I am looking into using a 10x or 20x microscope objective lens with my Nikon. Do any forum members have advice on quality/price experience, as well as practical advice on the set-up?

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

There are several. I would recommend a UHH contributor, NASS. He has an excellent, informative article on objectives. I would highly recommend that you read this before buying one. This is his website: http://extreme-macro.co.uk

Muddyvalley Loc: McMinnville, Oregon

I tried it a few times as an experiment with an 8x objective from a very old Zeiss microscope, added in front of a 105mm lens.
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-307207-1.html
Others here have done much better and with newer lenses, and also mounted onto a bellows as well as in front of a prime.

mawyatt Loc: Clearwater, Florida

Generally the modern higher quality microscope objectives are designed to work thru a relay/tube lens, these usually give the best results. Nikon and Mitutoyo are two major suppliers. Many, myself included, have constructed custom lens setups using these objectives with relay/tube lenses. This construction can be reasonable if you use the cheap eBay 42mm or 52mm screw type tubes and appropriate adapters. These tubes need to have the inside flocked with a good material (Protostar) for the best results. Many, myself included, are using the inexpensive ($60) Raynox 150 as a 200mm relay/tube lens with the 200mm objectives. You can use a good wide aperture 200mm lens, or zoom (I used the 70-200 F2.8 with good results) also, or a bellows. Many options here.

A really good source for this kind of macro/micro is the Photomacrography site. There are many discussions about lens construction, types, performance and setups. As with all types of photography, you can spend a little or a lot.
Good luck and keep us informed as you progress.

Edit: I should add at 10X and 20X expect to spend more than say 2X. At these magnifications DOF is extremely narrow (~3 microns at 20X I recall), so focus stacking comes into play. You will need a very stable setup and focus rail capable of stepping at the micron level, as well as the focus stacking software. This is a very difficult regime to start in, and you might consider something with less magnification to start with.

rmpsrpms Loc: Santa Clara, CA

Do you really want that high magnification? 20x has only a 1.2mm x 0.75mm field of view on your Nikon.

For 10x, I highly recommend the Nikon MPlan10. It is shockingly sharp and is a "Finite" objective so does not require a tube lens, just extensions to get a total length of 210mm (including the 44mm register distance). It has a very reasonable 20mm working distance so lighting is relatively easy to control. Should cost you around $150.

If you're OK with spending a little more, then I'd recommend the Nikon 10x MM objective. It has phenomenal working distance of around 50mm (!!!) so lighting is easy. It is also telecentric so very easy to use for stacking. The NA is 0.2, a bit lower than competing 10x which are typically around 0.25, but in practice this means the DOF is a little better so fewer images in the stack. It is still super sharp. Should cost you around $400.

I use both of these lenses on almost a daily basis and have not found anything better for macro purposes.

If you REALLY want to get to 20x, then you might want to consider getting a 10x objective and adding a 2x teleconverter instead of a 20x objective. The Vivitar 2x Macro Teleconverter is a good match for the quality of the Nikon objectives.

MACT Loc: Connecticut

Many thanks for the replies on the forum and PM. I am working in a microscopy center with vibration reduction built in, so that is seldom a problem. I am using a Cognisys StackShot and Helicon remote for control, both of which have given very good results with regular macro.
The Nikon 10x MM sounds excellent, but I am having trouble locating it (is there a Nikon part number?)
I will report on my final choice and, I hope, some spectacular pictures.

rmpsrpms Loc: Santa Clara, CA

I believe the Nikon part number is EDF 20101
Try this search for more info: http://www.google.com/#q=Nikon+10x+Measurescope+objective

Here's a link to an example of Nikon 10x MM objective for reference on eBay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nikon-10X-objective-lens-for-Measuring-Microscope-/200647649474?hash=item2eb78828c2:m:m0JiTKajeUG9iOBBHawLi0w

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

Here are three URL's that provide a huge amount of information.
http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12147
http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12309
http://extreme-macro.co.uk/microscope-objectives/
The most oft recommended Nikon objective is the 10x/0.25 oo/- with a working distance of 10.5mm (the significant parameter to compare to price) The Nikon part number is MRL00102. See this eBay listing for $249:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nikon-10x-Objective-/261584040052?hash=item3ce79fb074:g:6bYAAOSwPe1UCIBD
Note that Nikon BE Plan objectives cost less, but the working distance is shorter.
Mitutoyo M Plan Apo objective are better, with larger apertures and longer working distances, and also at higher prices.
Mitutoyo Plan Apo, 10x, NA 0.28, WD 33.5mm, PN 378-803-3
These are over $800 new and are available as low a $500 or a bit less on eBay. Note the very long working distance compared to the less expensive Nikon Plan Apo model.

mawyatt Loc: Clearwater, Florida

MACT,

Seems you are off to a very good start!! I also use the Stackshot but with Zerene software. Also use the Mitutoyo objectives (2, 5, 10, 20, 50X) mentioned by Apaflo, these are used in our semiconductor probe stations so I didn't have to lay out the $ :>) With the Raynox 150 reversed as a relay/tube lens these work exceptional well, even better than the dedicated very expensive relay/tubes lenses from Nikon/Mitutoyo/Thor/Edmund Scientific.

If you look at Photomacrophotography site I mentioned you'll find lots of data on this setup, including side by side comparisons of Nikon and Mitutoyo objectives as well as side by side comparisons of the various relay/tube lenses. Note how the Mitutoyo/Raynox objective/relay has significantly less color fringing, even better than the dedicated Mitutoyo/Mitutoyo combo!

My work involves design of very complex integrated circuits (mostly silicon), and I capture images of these and other "chips" for my work. I run stacks of up to 600 and often must deal with chip bumps (as many as 2000) called solder balls, these are tiny (40um) spherical mirrors which reflect everything and make proper lighting a nightmare. The extra working distance of the Mitutoyos helps.

The Mitutoyo/Raynox combo has worked well for me. There are many many issues when you go beyond 2X, especially with the subjects I have, vibration from the fixture/camera/mounting/floor/etc, timing, even the file type matters!! I started working on this about 15 years ago, so lots of thought & trail and error involved, and still a work in progress....always room for improvement!! Discovery is part of the fun involved if you are an scientific/engineering type like myself.

If I can be of help just ask, but looks like you are certainly well on your way!! Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.
Best, Mike