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Brand Brand Shop by filtering the results with a selected microscope brand(s). See our brand descriptions for further information on each brand.

Head Type Head Type Monocular microscopes have a single eyepiece. Always keep both eyes open when using a monocular microscope. Binocular heads have two eyepieces. Trinocular heads have two eyepieces plus an additional port to which a camera can be attached for still and live imaging. Digital Only are digital microscopes with no eyepieces to view the specimen with the naked eye.

Objective Lens

Objective Lens

Different color light passes through curved glass (a lens) at different angles. Achromatic lenses 'correct' for this 'spherical aberration' in order to bring the light rays into focus on the same plane.

The better the lens, the greater is the amount of correction or 'flat field'.
There are three common achromatic lenses:

Achromatic - Standard on most microscopes with 65% flat field .

Semi-Plan - Better quality with 80% flat field

Plan - Premium lenses with 95% flat field

Most applications only require standard achromatic lenses. Semi-plan and plan lenses are typically for professional use.

Please note that Semi Plan and Plan filters also include E-Plan, S-Plan and U-Plan objectives.

Illumination Type

Illumination Type

Halogen or LED illumination is standard on most good quality microscopes. Only advanced users will see the difference so the choice is a personal one.

Halogen provides a bright white that is suitable for most applications. Since it is a hot light, it is not recommended where heat is an issue, such as live specimens.

LED Illumination is an alternative to halogen with more of a bluish white light. It often includes rechargeable batteries for greater portability.

Tungsten is typically used on microscopes where price is the primary purchasing criteria.

System Type

System Type

Brightfield microscopes use transmitted (illuminated from below) white light that is absorbed by denser (darker) areas of the specimen to create contrast.

Darkfield microscopes improve the contrast in unstained, transparent specimens. They use scattered light that is not collected by the objective lens and so the light will not form part of the image. As a result, the specimen is illuminated against a dark background.

Epi-Fluorescence microscopes use the phenomena of fluorescent and phosphorescent light instead of, or in addition to, reflection and absorption.

Inverted microscopes are used to view specimens that require more working space than a slide. For example, specimens in containers such as petri dishes. They are also used for polished metal specimens where reflected light is required. The objectives are located below the stage while the light source and condenser are above the stage.

Metallurgical microscopes are a form of inverted microscope. They are designed for opaque or polished metal specimens that require high magnifications, but with reflected illumination (more typical in a stereo microscope).

Phase Contrast microscopes enable greater contrast in transparent specimens (protozoa etc) without the use of stains. Invented by Fritz Zernike, they convert small phase shifts in the light passing through the specimen into changes in contrast.

Polarizing microscopes employ polarized light that show changes in internal structure and composition of material not discernible with ordinary light.

Portable microscopes employ rechargeable LED batteries so they can be used outside in the field.

Teaching microscopes employ two or more microscope heads so that teacher and students can view the specimen, simultaneously.

Price Price You can filter the microscopes according to price. Simply click on your desired price range.

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Compound Microscopes

Compound microscopes are also known as Biological or High Power microscopes. They are used for viewing transparent specimens that are not typically visible to the naked eye. We carry compound microscopes for most applications although for brevity, we have divided them into three broad sub-categories:

Clinical/Lab for professional users including Veterinarians, Doctors and Researchers
Home & Hobby for Kids, Hobbyists and Advanced Hobbyists
Schools & Students which are divided into different levels: Elementary School, Middle/High and University

Please select the sub-category of compound microscope for your application and then filter the results using our new range of filters - but if in doubt try our new Microscope Selector or simply call us toll free on 877-409-3556.