The familiar, traditional microscope has an objective lens (the lens positioned closest to the object to be viewed) and a single eyepiece for the user. A stereo microscope is one which has two separate objective lenses, and two eyepieces. A stereo microscope is actually two complete microscopes – one for each of the viewer’s eyes. Both objective lenses focus at the same point, but from slightly different angles. When the viewer looks through the stereo eyepieces and the two resulting images are processed by the brain, the result is a three-dimensional image – one where depth can be perceived ..read more

The compound microscope is the most common type of microscope – the one most of us first encounter in our younger days, and the first that many people ever use. The term “compound” refers to the microscope’s optical system. This consists of two main lenses: the objective lens, positioned closest to the object being viewed, and the eyepiece lens, through which the user looks. These two lenses are arranged at opposite ends of a tube, in such a way that the magnified image produced by the objective lens travels to the eyepiece lens, where it is further magnified before finally being viewed. In e ..read more

OPTICO N Series: Upright Biological Microscopes OPTICO offers 5 microscope models in its N Series biological microscope line. They feature the latest generation LED illumination, with adjustable brightness. N1000M At the start, we have the basic model – the N1000M. This one is designed for entry-level users, ideal for primary and high school classrooms. The design is sturdy and simple, with few moving parts. For example, while the later models include both fine and coarse focus mechanisms, the N1000M has only the simpler, easier-to-master coarse focus function. Although less advanced than the ..read more

Brightfield/Darkfield Objective (BD or BF/DF) Brightfield/Darkfield objectives are meant for viewing objects in reflected light, with no glass or coverslip between the objective and the object being viewed. For examples, microscopes used to inspect electronic components or metallurgical samples might carry a BD objective. The chief characteristic feature of the brightfield/darkfield objective is a hollow collar surrounding the barrel which houses the optical elements. Light from exterior sources can be directed into this collar, where mirrors or prisms direct it down toward the viewing stage ..read more

Kids Microscopes Enable Learning While Having Fun A kids microscope, also known as a toy microscope, is called so because of the simplicity in design and functional limitations. However, it is a microscope nevertheless. It performs the same functions as a microscope i.e. to magnify images of any given object. The only difference is that a childrens microscope does not have the magnifying capabilities or the high resolution found in more expensive compound and stereo microscopes. The lenses and optics used in these microscopes is not as fine or sophisticated as that of clinical microscopes. For ..read more

High-powered microscopes allow scientists to study cells and discover microorganisms. These microscopes are most popular as they are usually seen in schools, hospitals, and laboratories. Learn more about high-powered microscopes and know how to see your specimen with them. What Are High-Powered Microscopes? A high-powered microscope is just an ordinary compound microscope. It is considered high powered because of its two-stage magnification. The total magnification of a microscope is equal to an objective lens magnification multiplied by the eyepiece magnification. For example, if your eyepiec ..read more

Many people ask what is the best brand of microscope to use. The truth is there is no easy answer to it as there are four excellent brands that offer the best quality in the market. These brands are Leica, Nikon, Zeiss, and Olympus. These brands are the most popular and trusted in the market, but it doesn't mean that the less popular ones can't provide high-quality microscopes. When talking about quality microscopes, there are several factors to consider, not just the brands. However, if you're asking what are the best microscope brands in the market, the mentioned brands, known as the big fou ..read more

Numerical aperture (abbreviated N.A. or NA) is a number which refers to an objective lens’s ability to gather light, and to its resolution – its ability to clearly show fine details in objects being viewed. In general, the higher the numerical aperture, the brighter and clearer the images the objective will produce. This is only generally true, because other components of the microscope also affect brightness and resolution, including the type of illumination used, and components used to transmit the illumination to the specimen and to the objective lens. Because of these different factors, i ..read more

In microscopes of any type or design, the lens closest to the object or specimen being viewed is known as the objective lens. This is the instrument’s most important lens. It gathers light from the object being viewed and produces a magnified image. This image is sent up the microscope’s tube to the ocular, more commonly known as the eyepiece; here the final changes to the image are made so that it can be viewed or photographed. The design and quality of the objective lens is also the primary determining factor in degree of magnification, and in resolution – the clarity and detail in the final ..read more

A boom stand microscope consists of a microscope head (viewing unit) mounted on an apparatus that allows it to be moved easily into various positions, to examine objects of different types. With the traditional and more familiar compound-type microscope, the microscope optics (lens and eyepiece) and viewing “stage” are relatively fixed, and the viewing area is quite limited. An object must be carefully prepared, positioned and adjusted to bring it within the zone where it can be viewed. To view an object’s different parts, the object itself must be moved. In a boom stand microscope, the micros ..read more