One wiseacre assumed we meant any package leaving our shipping room that once had a glass object in it. That is a malicious rumor. . . Ground glass is thin plate glass, the surface of which has been physically ground or acid-etched to create a grainy, grayish, opaque surface. Use it to produce an image from a lens or lens system. Even a simple magnifier, held between the ground glass and, say, a window, will produce an image of the window scene on the ground glass. Ground glass has another magical property: it is opaque to any object viewed at a distance, but not if that object is in direct contact with the glass surface. A necessary element of your optical education. 3-1/2" x 4-3/8" x 1/16" thick.

Al Luebbers, our founder, collected glass. Not glass like you'd find on a knick-knack shelf, but optical glass. Lenses, prisms, reticles and filters, for example. Focus on the filters. Many of his filters came out of military surplus, and this is for-real stuff. We mean many are solid dyed optical glass, ground and polished to flatness standards that were probably excessive. Others are from the old days in photographic optics, and their standards were even tighter than your militaristic Uncle's. We've found that photographers, artists, and optical designers still have an occasional need for good glass filters, so we're making a list of some goodies. As always, don't be timid about calling for quotes on quantities. If we have 'em, we'll sell 'em. Just don't sell them back. Please!

Like border collie puppies, these small magnifiers are extremely cute and as bright as anything, with (4) white LEDs around the lens, plus (1) UV LED for your forensic needs. The 1” dia 2.5X acrylic lens is in a 4” long handle in black, red or sky blue (and we’ll pick). Run on (3) button-cell batteries, included.

See clearly with this 20X stereo microscope; coins, fossils, circuit boards, bugs and splinters have never been larger. Dual 10X eyepieces provide a stereoscopic view with a 2-1/2" to 3-7/8" working distance while an LED illuminator powered by (2) "AA" batteries (included) brightens and a black/white stage plate with aluminum clips improves your contrast. Eyepieces are also adjustable for those who like to play with interpupillary distance and it stands 10-1/2" tall. Great for students, hobbyists, crafters and more.

Best done with this computerized StarNavigator 90mm Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope from Meade® Instruments. Enjoy the stunningly sharp images while you let the telescope take you on a guided tour of 30,000+ celestial objects. Includes the AudioStar hand controller, which not only guides the scope but also tells you, through its built-in speaker, all about what you’re viewing. Features a 1250mm focal length (F13.8), 90mm (3.5”) aperture, single-speed internal focuser and an internal flip-mirror for celestrial/terrestial viewing or photography. Includes (2) Plossl eyepieces, 26mm (48x) and 9mm (139X), full-sized aluminum tripod, red-dot finder and vixen-style dovetail. Works on (8) “AA” batteries or external power source, not included.

Please Note: Your entire order will ship standard ground when purchasing this item. Contact us for expedited shipping information. Thanks!

Advanced Student Microscope With extra-sturdy construction, international-standard DIN, fully coated eyepiece and objectives, this is an excellent student microscope. It provides good resolution and centering, and maintains focus when objectives are changed. Stage clips, rack stops, smooth positive mechanical movements, built-in illuminator, coarse and fine focus.

• Magnification: 40X, 100X, 400X, 1000X (oil)

• Objectives: 4X, 10X, 40X, 100X (oil) spring-loaded, parfocal, centered achromatic.

• Eyepiece: 23mm 10X wide field with pointer.

• Illumination: Built-in 5 watt fluorescent, 110V with condensor.

• Stage Size: 120mm x 110mm with locked-in stage spring clips.

• Focusing: Rack and pinion, coarse & fine controls.

• Weight/Height: 8 lbs/14".

• Viewing Angle: 45°

Magnificent magnifier lamp! Great for hobby work, stamp or coin collecting, needlepoint, sewing and crafts, even reading if your eyes are "mature". The plastic "head" assembly has a 3.5" dia, 2 diopter magnifying lens and a socket with switch for an incandescent lamp (60 Watt max.) This is mounted on the end of an arm the other end of which clamps to the table top. The arm has (2) roughly 15" long sections and swivels at the clamp to allow precise positioning over your work. Plugs into any wall socket. Basic black or white, it is a brand new good quality item that you will find so useful you will wonder how you got along without it!

A Sherlock Holmes-type magnifying glass is good, but this is better. It frees your hands and throws light on the subject! This 120-volt magnifying desk lamp has a white or black (our choice) heavy 7-3/8" x 5-1/2" x 2" base with a power switch, standard lamp cord, and 11" gooseneck ending in a 5-1/4" dia shade. Under the shade is a circular fluorescent bulb and a 3-3/8" dia lens with a flip-back cover. The box says the lens is 5X, we think it's closer to 2X. Either way, it's a major improvement if you need help to examine scientific specimens, to inspect stamps or jewelry, or just to read. And we won't even talk about how your nail care is going to improve after you see your cuticles under this thing!

This achromatic doublet lens (them what won't distort color or shape any more than they absolutely have to) is in an oval metal mount with a small mounting hole opposite a set of prongs. Originally a projector lens of some sort, it measures 20mm dia (approx 3/4") with a 47mm (approx 1-7/8") focal length. Despite the fact that you could mount it in its current mounting using the mounting hole, we suspect you're just going to use it as a nice 5X loupe.

A beautiful glass achromat lens. 34mm diameter and 66mm focal length. If you're In need of a lens for an art project or DIY magnifier, this is the lens for you. These are old military surplus so we have a limited quantity. Get yours today!

One of those clear plastic jobs that goes over an automotive light or some such. It provides a bit of focusing to strengthen the beam and some protection, but isn't really an optical element. This one is 2-7/8" sq. x 9/16" thick. Actually, the plastic is only about 1/8" thick, but there is a rim to the rear which gives it overall depth. Good protection for outdoor lights. Could be set in the outhouse door to admit distorted light. Or flip it over and serve nuts in it.

The kids need presents for all the grandmas and great-aunts? You volunteer at the nursing home and need token gifts for your L-O-Ls? And your eyes aren't so good, either? Our each is really half a dozen pretty little magnifiers with round, glass lenses and fancy handles. The handles are silver-bright (hard to believe they're aluminum) and all different. Each has a discreet hole in the tip for a jump ring so it could be worn on a necklace -- but it would look just as pretty on a desk. The overall length of the (6) magnifiers varies from about 3-3/4" to 5", the lenses from 1-1/4" to 1-3/4" dia. All are approx 2X magnification. Mary Ann's pick of the month.

This Velleman DVM 1300 Light Meter displays measurements between 0.1 and 50K lux in (5) different ranges on a liquid crystal display with (4) 1/2" high digits. Filtered 1-1/2" dia sensor on a 13" coiled cord. The 4-5/8" x 2-3/8" x 7/8" case has reflective tape on the back for dealing with a shadow. Comes in a vinyl case with a recommended-illumination chart and a 12-volt battery.

If you want something done right…. And yes, that includes laboratory slides. This 17-piece slide-making kit from Elenco includes (10) blanks, (12) cover glasses, labels, and static slide covers, magnifier, (2) vials & graduated cylinders, shrimp eggs, methylene blue, micro-hatchery, goggles, and more.

LOMO microscope objective: 100X spring-loaded oil immersion semi-plan achromat with a numerical aperture of 1.25, designed for a 160mm tube, with RMS threaded nosepieces and a parfocal distance of 45mm. Normally sells for $100--high-quality Russian optics for an amazing American surplus price!

Select from our collection of compensating microscope eyepieces from LOMO® at microscopic prices. All of these are standard DIN size, all are F.N.18. Pick the 7X eyepiece (part #EF-7X), the 7X with a reticle (part # EF-7XS) or the 10X (part # EKW-10X).

One of our largest double loupes. Shaped like a giant apostrophe, it measures 2" thick x 2-1/2" long x 1-3/4" wide at the widest. Has a high-low beam white LED light, plus a UV LED light, both powered by an A23 battery, included and replaceable. The 1" dia lens has a thumbwheel focus and is 10X, according to the box, but we say it's closer to 7X.

These white microfiber cloths are larger, at 6" x 7-1/2",  and thicker than usual. Made for medical equipment (so you know the quality is excellent), they're dandy for eyeglasses, lenses, computer screens and other electronic equipment. White with a dark blue edge (with a small logo in one corner) they're actually attractive and could double as pocket squares. Bundled by the pair so you'll get (6) cloths in our Pkg(3), or try our super low 20-pair price.