I recently got this LOMO R15 (ЛОМО Р15) as I wasn’t satisfied with the accessories my Hertel & Reuss microscopes have and the virtual non-availability of further accessories for those on eBay. So I decided to go with a microscope I can get more easily upgrades for.
As visible from my earlier posts regarding this:
There was some cleaning and mechanical maintenance required, to get it back into operation.
Phase Contrast KF-4U4.2 (КФ-4У4.2)

Basic usage
To setup phase contrast, the condenser and objectives will need to be installed, as well as the ocular microscope MIR be inserted.
- Then the desired objective and matching filter is to be selected on the objective and filter turret.
- The sample needs to be focused.
- Now the MIR is focused and two rings should be visible, using the adjustment screws on the condenser the two rings need to be lined up
- Remove the MIR and insert the ocular of choice and you’re done.
It takes quite a lot of light to work properly.
Phototube MFN-12U4.2 (МФН-12У4.2)

Non-LOMO Accessories
NIKON Model S Microscope Condenser
NIKON Model S condensers happen to be 37mm just as LOMOs, so those can be used. There are several other condensers with a diameter of 37mm from other manufacturers who will also fit, unfortunately the diameter is usually not specified anywhere.
Carl Zeiss Jena 1Q NG Objective Turret
Objective turrets that fit Carl Zeiss Jena 1Q NG microscopes also happen to fit on LOMOs. However one thing to mention here is that LOMO turrets have a screw that stops the turret at the correct position (and allows small adjustment), Carl Zeiss Jena 1Q NG turrets don’t have this screw and can end up in a position where the internal lenses don’t end up matching up.
Carl Zeiss Jena (left) and normal LOMO (right) objective turrets
Objectives
Most LOMO BIOLAM objective turrets have normal RMS (DIN EN ISO 8038-1, DIN 58888) threads, as such pretty much all objectives going by this standard fit. I use both Hertel & Reuss as well as Carl Zeiss Jena objectives when the standard LOMO’s I have don’t happen have the right magnification.
Test Photos
I didn’t get the focus quite right on all of these. All of those were taken with my Sony SLT a37 on the MFN.
Lymph Node sec, Lungs sec, Corn seed with endosperm l.s., Rubber leaf c.s.