keithostertag

#77761

This past weekend I bought a 310A in a leather carrycase with several probes and probe accessories. Nice! The 310A will be a future project- haven't even tried to power it up yet. Included several types of probe tips I may never find a use for.

In the case were a few things I can't identify. If you can, please also tell if there is a proper way (or improper way) to use them, and maybe why they aren't (evidently) used/manufactured anymore.

Photo A: some type of scope input connector (not sure if you'd call it a probe):

Photo B: some kind of probe accessory/tip (the black screw-on connectors were packaged for/by IBM if that's any clue):

Photo C: evidently a Tek probe, but no  markings other than "600V Max, 10 Meg, 14uuF, Atten 10X") around the base end. Cable is a Amphenol No. 621-685:

What's the teflon screw intended for? The access for compensation is on the other side.

Cheers,
Keith Ostertag

#77763

Hi,

I don't know what that stuff is but I admire the photos. My Finepix 5000 will not focus near that close. What kind do you use?

Jerry Massengale

Show quoted text

-----Original Message-----
From: keithostertag
To: TekScopes
Sent: Mon, Jul 2, 2012 9:40 am
Subject: [TekScopes] Trivia- can you identify these probes/probe accessories circa 1960 (or before)?

This past weekend I bought a 310A in a leather carrycase with several probes and probe accessories. Nice! The 310A will be a future project- haven't even tried to power it up yet. Included several types of probe tips I may never find a use for.

In the case were a few things I can't identify. If you can, please also tell if there is a proper way (or improper way) to use them, and maybe why they aren't (evidently) used/manufactured anymore.

Photo A: some type of scope input connector (not sure if you'd call it a probe):

Photo B: some kind of probe accessory/tip (the black screw-on connectors were packaged for/by IBM if that's any clue):

Photo C: evidently a Tek probe, but no markings other than "600V Max, 10 Meg, 14uuF, Atten 10X") around the base end. Cable is a Amphenol No. 621-685:

What's the teflon screw intended for? The access for compensation is on the other side.

Cheers,
Keith Ostertag

#77766

--- In TekScopes@..., "keithostertag" <keitho@...> wrote:

This past weekend I bought a 310A in a leather carrycase with several probes and probe accessories. Nice! The 310A will be a future project- haven't even tried to power it up yet. Included several types of probe tips I may never find a use for.

In the case were a few things I can't identify. If you can, please also tell if there is a proper way (or improper way) to use them, and maybe why they aren't (evidently) used/manufactured anymore.

Photo A: some type of scope input connector (not sure if you'd call it a probe):

Photo B: some kind of probe accessory/tip (the black screw-on connectors were packaged for/by IBM if that's any clue):

Photo C: evidently a Tek probe, but no  markings other than "600V Max, 10 Meg, 14uuF, Atten 10X") around the base end. Cable is a Amphenol No. 621-685:

What's the teflon screw intended for? The access for compensation is on the other side.

Cheers,
Keith Ostertag
Keith,
I suspect photos A and B are homemade adapters for some unique application.

Photo C is the probe body for the P400 or P410 probe – Tek's first passive probes.  While the electrical design is adequate, the simple mechanical design does not give the greatest ease in connecting with the circuit under test.  Tek replaced these with the P60xx series, introduced in the late 1950's, and produced is amazing volume through the mid 1990's – one of the longest running Tek product.  (The record goes to the original P6015, which was only replaced by the P6015A in 1995 because the Freon dielectric was no longer available.)

The P400 may have been the standard probe with the original (non-A) model 310.  All 310A units shipped with the P6017.

I have never seen a P400 series probe, so I can't comment on the teflon screw.  Possibly access to the probe tip attenuator components?
- Steve

#77771

That would be a nylon screw, not teflon.  It secures the head to the
body - removing it and the Allen setscrew(s?) at the cable end allows you
to slip the body back and expose the attenuator, as Steve says.
There's also a standard machine screw at the rear for attaching
the ground wire.  The March 1953 catalog has a cutaway view in the
Accessories section.

That _is_ Tek's first passive probe, but it is a P510 (or P510A), not a P4xx.
The P400 series was the fast-rise probe, with color-coded head
(brown for 10x) and high-impedance resistance-wire coax.  It first
appears in the August 1955 catalog, six months after the 545.  Since it
was more expensive than the P510 ($10.50 vs 8.50), Tek would probably
not pair it with a scope that didn't need it.

Dave Wise

Show quoted text

-----Original Message-----
From: TekScopes@...
[mailto:TekScopes@...] On Behalf Of Steve
Sent: Monday, July 02, 2012 10:22 AM
To: TekScopes@...
Subject: [TekScopes] Re: Trivia- can you identify these
probes/probe accessories circa 1960 (or before)?

Photo C is the probe body for the P400 or P410 probe - Tek's
first passive probes.  While the electrical design is
adequate, the simple mechanical design does not give the
greatest ease in connecting with the circuit under test.  Tek
replaced these with the P60xx series, introduced in the late
1950's, and produced is amazing volume through the mid 1990's
- one of the longest running Tek product.  (The record goes to
the original P6015, which was only replaced by the P6015A in
1995 because the Freon dielectric was no longer available.)

The P400 may have been the standard probe with the original
(non-A) model 310.  All 310A units shipped with the P6017.

I have never seen a P400 series probe, so I can't comment on
the teflon screw.  Possibly access to the probe tip attenuator 
components?
- Steve

keithostertag

#77775

Thanks Dave and Steve!

Curious, did Tek not put their name on the first probes, or am I missing the tip which would have had the Tek name on it?

I looked around in the case more and found that the black connectors in photo B are Tek part# 103-0051-01 which fit on the P6101's that were in the case. But the pink attachment is still a mystery. They _may_ have been IBM part number 453164 (from a loose label in the case), but I haven't found anything on google about that. Any guesses as to what they are for?

Here is another photo of mystery probe attachment B showing that internally it has (at least) a single wire which loops back to one end where there is a pin connector. I can't seem to find anything in the front end (where the wire loops):

Photo A is also still a mystery... I can't imagine that it is homemade, at least not the connector itself. Any other ideas?

Keith

Show quoted text

--- In TekScopes@..., David Wise <david_wise@...> wrote:

That would be a nylon screw, not teflon.  It secures the head to the
body - removing it and the Allen setscrew(s?) at the cable end allows you
to slip the body back and expose the attenuator, as Steve says.
There's also a standard machine screw at the rear for attaching
the ground wire.  The March 1953 catalog has a cutaway view in the
Accessories section.

That _is_ Tek's first passive probe, but it is a P510 (or P510A), not a P4xx.
The P400 series was the fast-rise probe, with color-coded head
(brown for 10x) and high-impedance resistance-wire coax.  It first
appears in the August 1955 catalog, six months after the 545.  Since it
was more expensive than the P510 ($10.50 vs 8.50), Tek would probably
not pair it with a scope that didn't need it.

Dave Wise

-----Original Message-----
From: TekScopes@...
[mailto:TekScopes@...] On Behalf Of Steve
Sent: Monday, July 02, 2012 10:22 AM
To: TekScopes@...
Subject: [TekScopes] Re: Trivia- can you identify these
probes/probe accessories circa 1960 (or before)?

Photo C is the probe body for the P400 or P410 probe - Tek's
first passive probes.  While the electrical design is
adequate, the simple mechanical design does not give the
greatest ease in connecting with the circuit under test.  Tek
replaced these with the P60xx series, introduced in the late
1950's, and produced is amazing volume through the mid 1990's
- one of the longest running Tek product.  (The record goes to
the original P6015, which was only replaced by the P6015A in
1995 because the Freon dielectric was no longer available.)

The P400 may have been the standard probe with the original
(non-A) model 310.  All 310A units shipped with the P6017.

I have never seen a P400 series probe, so I can't comment on
the teflon screw.  Possibly access to the probe tip attenuator
components?
- Steve

keithostertag

#77776

Hi Jerry-

I am using an old analog lens on a modern digital camera. Generally, any of the big camera "systems" can use their older lenses with their modern camera bodies having similar mounts, but with reduced features.  In my case, I am using a Micro-Nikkor-P 55mm F3.5, a great close focus lens you can now buy for about $50 and works with most Nikon F-mount cameras, but without auto focus or auto exposure (two features I don't need for these type photos). This lens can reach 1:1 reproduction ratio and with a minimum focus distance of 8.3" (21cm). I also have a dedicated extension ring for this lens for even greater magnification if I need it.

Mating older analog lenses with modern camera bodies can be done with many Nikon, Canon, Pentax, and Olympus equipment (and others). That means great lenses at low prices, but again, with some loss of modern features. But very sharp with good contrast and resolution.

Keith

Show quoted text

--- In TekScopes@..., jerry massengale <j_massengale@...> wrote:

Hi,

I don't know what that stuff is but I admire the photos. My Finepix 5000 will not focus near that close. What kind do you use?

Jerry Massengale

Tim Phillips

#77777

开云体育

from Tim P (UK)

?

OP:

I looked around in the case more and found that the black connectors in photo B are Tek part# 103-0051-01 which fit on the P6101's that were in the case. But the pink attachment is still a mystery. They _may_ have been IBM part number 453164 (from a loose label in the case), but I haven't found anything on google about that. Any guesses as to what they are for?

?

I *think*? this may be a probe adaptor to clip onto a back-plane wire-wrap pin on a

computer mainframe. These pins were very densely packed (before VLSI)

?

Tim

?

#77787

开云体育

Keith,

?

What is you lighting system?

?

I have been thinking about getting one of those lens mounted ‘ring’ lights for ultra close up work but have not ‘pulled the trigger’ yet.

?

Joe

?

Show quoted text

-----Original Message-----
From: TekScopes@... [mailto:TekScopes@...] On Behalf Of keithostertag
Sent: Monday, July 02, 2012 5:33 PM
To: TekScopes@...
Subject: [TekScopes] Re: Trivia- can you identify these probes/probe accessories circa 1960 (or before)?

?

Hi Jerry-

I am using an old analog lens on a modern digital camera. Generally, any of the big camera "systems" can use their older lenses with their modern camera bodies having similar mounts, but with reduced features. In my case, I am using a Micro-Nikkor-P 55mm F3.5, a great close focus lens you can now buy for about $50 and works with most Nikon F-mount cameras, but without auto focus or auto exposure (two features I don't need for these type photos). This lens can reach 1:1 reproduction ratio and with a minimum focus distance of 8.3" (21cm). I also have a dedicated extension ring for this lens for even greater magnification if I need it.

Mating older analog lenses with modern camera bodies can be done with many Nikon, Canon, Pentax, and Olympus equipment (and others). That means great lenses at low prices, but again, with some loss of modern features. But very sharp with good contrast and resolution.

Keith

--- In TekScopes@..., jerry massengale wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> I don't know what that stuff is but I admire the photos. My Finepix 5000 will not focus near that close. What kind do you use?
>
>
> Jerry Massengale

keithostertag

#77796

Hey Joe-

I always use natural light, or whatever ambient light is in the workroom. I've never used one of those ring lights, though at some point in my past I thought I wanted one. If you use a tripod, my opinion is you very seldom would need a ring light. Except for special circumstances, like live insects or other times when you can't use a long exposure.

Keith

Show quoted text

--- In TekScopes@..., "J. L. Trantham" <jltran@...> wrote:

Keith,

What is you lighting system?

I have been thinking about getting one of those lens mounted 'ring' lights
for ultra close up work but have not 'pulled the trigger' yet.

Joe

-----Original Message-----
From: TekScopes@... [mailto:TekScopes@...] On Behalf
Of keithostertag
Sent: Monday, July 02, 2012 5:33 PM
To: TekScopes@...
Subject: [TekScopes] Re: Trivia- can you identify these probes/probe
accessories circa 1960 (or before)?

Hi Jerry-

I am using an old analog lens on a modern digital camera. Generally, any of
the big camera "systems" can use their older lenses with their modern camera
bodies having similar mounts, but with reduced features. In my case, I am
using a Micro-Nikkor-P 55mm F3.5, a great close focus lens you can now buy
for about $50 and works with most Nikon F-mount cameras, but without auto
focus or auto exposure (two features I don't need for these type photos).
This lens can reach 1:1 reproduction ratio and with a minimum focus distance
of 8.3" (21cm). I also have a dedicated extension ring for this lens for
even greater magnification if I need it.

Mating older analog lenses with modern camera bodies can be done with many
Nikon, Canon, Pentax, and Olympus equipment (and others). That means great
lenses at low prices, but again, with some loss of modern features. But very
sharp with good contrast and resolution.

Keith

--- In TekScopes@... <mailto:TekScopes%40yahoogroups.com> ,
jerry massengale <j_massengale@> wrote:

Hi,

I don't know what that stuff is but I admire the photos. My Finepix 5000will not focus near that close. What kind do you use?

Jerry Massengale

keithostertag

#77805

Hi Tim- Thanks, then perhaps the rounded end, with slight indentation for your finger, was for pushing down onto the pin.

Keith

Show quoted text

--- In TekScopes@..., "Tim Phillips" <tim@...> wrote:

from Tim P (UK)

OP:

I *think*  this may be a probe adaptor to clip onto a back-plane wire-wrap pin on a
computer mainframe. These pins were very densely packed (before VLSI)

Tim