Need advice for the best High Power LED - Microscope

Hello,
I've been searching to mod the existing metal halide lamp (fiber optic) with an LED source. At the moment, the metal halide light travels through a fiber optic cable to the body of the scope. I
can use an LED in this fashion – or – more preferably (to limit the amount of light lost to the fibre optic cable), mount the LED source directly to the microscope. There is always the possibility of purchasing an LED light from the manufacturer – however – it's much more interesting to build your own.
I'm trying to figure out what type of LED I should use to obtain approximatley 2000 lumnious flux (comparable to other LED light sources). I was excited when I was reading about the XHP 70 – however, I'm concerned that the dark cross in the middle of the light will cause a problem.
The light source is travelling through an aperture (hole) of approximatley 8mm, which then travels through a reduction lens approx 60mm away from the source. From there, it enters in the scope and is reflected downwards to the object you are looking at.

Question: What would be the best single LED that would produce 1500-2k Lumen in this scenario? Further questions would be the most appropriate driver and potentiometer for this LED.
Thanks!
John

I think in asking your question at the end you are confusing lux and lumens. I have worked with illuminated microscopes with integral video for image capture, and I am sure that the illuminators we used were much less than 1500-2k lumens. More like a couple hundred, and this was a separate side light, not built in. Remember, unless you are using a very low power eyepiece, you are illuminating a very small field. I would think an ideal LED would be the Nichia 219B, due to its beautiful tint and high CRI. I would also include some means to produce lower output, either in steps or continuous.

How do you handle polarization and angled side lighting with an integral light source like you are using? What type of things are you normally examining?

Milkat said:

Question: What would be the best single LED that would produce 1500-2k Lumen in this scenario?

Click to expand...

Well a MT-G2 would be too big but are you sure you really need 1500 Lumen? Or is that going the optical fibre route?