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February 13, 2023(https://www.richmondscientific.com/2023/02/13)
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Microscope Buying Guide

Microscopes are instruments used to observe small objects that cannot be seen with the naked eye
such as cells and bacteria or examine the details of metals and crystals. The image of an object is
magnified through at least one lens in the microscope. This lens bends light toward the eye and
makes an object appear larger than it actually is.
1. What are the different kinds of Microscope?
There are many kinds of microscope  that excel in different areas. Light microscopes can easily
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observe cells and are most suitable for schools. Compound microscopes have more than one lens
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and are used in forensics and medicine. Stereo microscopes create a 3D image and are used to
observe larger objects e.g. coins, gemstones. Digital microscopes come with a camera and a screen
so the object can be viewed more easily.

2. What types of Light Source can a Microscope have?

LED light is bright, cool and inexpensive, Halogen light is strong and heats up quickly, Tungsten light
is warm but has a short life and Fluorescent light is used to detect the fluorescence of certain
microorganisms.

3. The different levels of Magnification

A typical compound microscope has x4, x10, x40 and x100 objective lenses, and some can even go
up to x1600, whereas a typical Stereo microscope can magnify objects up to x5-x60.

(https://www.richmondscientific.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Nikon-YS100-1.png)

4. What eyepiece is best for my Microscope?

Microscopes come with either a monocular, binocular or trinocular eyepiece. Young children may find
the monocular eyepiece the most comfortable, whereas adults tend to prefer the binocular eyepiece.
Trinocular allows the user to connect a camera or webcam onto the third eyepiece to take pictures or
videos of the specimen.
 5. Coarse vs Fine Focus
knob, the coarse focus, and it is used to move the objective
Most microscopes only come with one
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lens toward or away from the specimen. Some microscopes will come with both a coarse and a fine
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focus. The fine focus knob is smaller and is best used for the x400 magnification or above to create
a more crisp and clear image.

6. What are the different kinds of Diaphragm?

The diaphragm is responsible for controlling the amount of light passing through the slide before
entering the objective lens and eyepiece. The most common diaphragm is the rotating disk which
has 3 different sized holes whereas the iris diaphragm is one hole that is adjusted with a lever and is
found on more high quality microscopes.

7. How portable is a Microscope?

Microscopes with LED lighting are battery powered meaning they are easy to charge. Light
microscopes and compound microscopes tend to be small which means they are easy to carry which
is optimal for a school setting.

Interested? Take a look at our range of microscopes.

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