|
1 - What is the difference between a biological microscope and a stereoscopic microscope? |
|
The biological microscope may have a monocular or binocular head. It has
a high magnification power and is used to observe prepared slides, organs or
tissue sections, on a lit up glass surface. This microscope type uses an
incident light source, that comes from below, or a mirror to condense solar
light. The stereoscopic microscope is always binocular and gives a
three-dimensional vision. It has a lower magnification power, so it's used
to observe solid and opaque bodies, such as minerals, vegetables, bugs etc. |
|
2 - What are the main features of a microscope? |
|
Before buying a microscope, it's important to keep in mind the following
characteristics:
- MAGNIFICATION: the product of eyepiece magnification and lens
magnification gives the total magnification power. An increased
magnification decreases the field of vision.
- ILLUMINATION: it may be either incident light, meaning from below and
particularly useful in a biological microscope, or transmitted light,
meaning from above and for a stereoscopic microscope. Some stereoscopic
models have both types of illumination. |
|
3 - What optional accessories are recommended for a microscope? |
|
According to client's needs, in order to increase or decrease the
magnification provided, it could be necessary to purchase extra eyepieces
and/or lenses.
In a biological microscope, when it isn't included, a small transport table
(a square-shaped instrument that allows microscopic movements of the glass
plate) and a light to provide the necessary lighting in the observation of
the prepared slides, could be useful.
A special graduated micrometric eyepiece could also be useful, in order to
measure exactly the dimensions of the prepared slides. |
|
4 - Can a camera be connected to a microscope? |
|
Yes, but two adapters are necessary: the photo adapter for a given
microscope and the T-2 ring for the type of reflex. On a binocular
microscope the camera is connected to one of the two eyepieces. |
|
5 - Is it always necessary to prepare the items for observation with the
microscope? |
|
Using a stereoscopic microscope, whatever is viewed doesn't need
preparation. Instead, using a biological microscope, it's necessary to make
accurate preparations. The sample must be cut very thin and it must be
placed on a glass slide. It could seem a rather complicated process, so if
you don’t want to do it yourself, Konus has in stock more than 20 series of
prepared slides with interesting biological subjects. |
Used with permission from Konus Copyrighted All rights reserved
