Polariscope

[Sherpa1]

Does anyone know where I can purchase a polariscope for examining honey? I know that there are several articles on building scopes, but I would prefer to buy one already assembled. Thanks.

[Keith Benson]

Does anyone know where I can purchase a polariscope for examining honey? I know that there are several articles on building scopes, but I would prefer to buy one already assembled. Thanks.

http://www.ptc1.com/optical243.htm
http://www.prettyrock.com/polariscope-instructions.htm

I had the same question rattling around in hmy head not too long ago and I think - after looking at them - that making one's own would be more useful since they tend to be built with the assumption that the article examined would be sitting on the base and the viewer looking down, where for honey i thought it would be best to have the bottle oriented vertically and the observer looking sideways i.e. horizontally? Also - they are just not cheap. IF you find one for a reasonable price post it.

We use a pair of polarizing lenses on our microscope at work to identify birefringence in certain specimens (looking for uric acid crystals mostly) It is pretty neat, and very easy.)

I would think with a couple of cheap photography polarizes and a hole saw one could knock up a polarimeter in no time - though I understand that there are certeinly times where simply buying one fits the bill best.

Keith

[Sherpa1]

Thanks Keith.
I was thinking of building the one shown in the latest ABJ, but was unsure of what type polarizing lens to use or where to purchase them. Any ideas?

[Keith Benson]

I haven't read the article yet - but almost any camera store will have them. Usually circular, but you can get square ones too.

http://www.ritzcamera.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SearchView?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&keyword=polarizer&x=0&y=0
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=polarizer+filter&x=0&y=0

Keith

[Jethro]

I was able to purchase some polarized film from a place in San Antonio TX. Not sure what their name was, Albrite-Allite something like that.