Stereoscopic Microscope

There are many different kinds of microscopes available today. A stereoscopic microscope, with the two eyepieces for both eyes and its three-dimensional view, has taken the place of the compound microscope, in many instances, because the compound microscope required squinting for hours through one eyepiece. It had only a two-dimensional view and distorted image. The stereoscopic microscope did not have this distortion and became a favorite over the compound microscope.

Microsurgery and dissection are common uses for the stereoscopic microscope. It differentiates an image from right and left and combines them to create a three-dimensional image. It uses halogen lights to help see the specimen better and may have to be plugged into an electrical outlet.

Total magnification for a stereoscopic microscope can be determined by multiplication. The eyepieces usually have a magnifying power of 10X. The lenses also have a magnification of between 2X and 20X. Therefore, you would multiply the eyepiece power by the lens power to get the image magnification for your microscope.

You can buy a stereoscopic microscope with a camera that enables it to transmit an image to a computer screen. However, it can be difficult setting up the shooting conditions and the quality of the image given may be disappointing.

A stereoscopic microscope has many uses. The scientific and industrial users use it for laboratory research in manufacturing and medicine. It is invaluable in analyzing evidence left at crime scenes. Police labs are able to examine tissue, blood, and other forensic evidence to find criminals. Hobbyists enjoy stereoscopic microscopes for digging fossils out of rocks and detecting flaws and reading marks on coin and stamp collections. The average user can also use these for replacing watch batteries and eyeglass screws. Counterfeit bills are easily spotted as well.

A stereoscopic microscope is a valuable educational tool for children in a biology or science class. Students find small objects, such as plants and insects, fascinating when viewed under a microscope. This may inspire them for life.

A stereoscopic microscope has a less-distorted view and employs a zoom lens, but has a shallow depth of field. It sometimes requires additional light sources. They have relatively low magnification and individual cells cannot be viewed. However, it does give a closer look at non-microscopic objects. Prices are reasonable and generally range from $100 - $1500.

A stereoscopic microscope can be heavy, so you should take care when handling one. It should never be picked up at the top. Instead, it should be carried by the neck with one hand while the other hand supports the bottom. Gentle handling and careful storage will ensure the long life of your stereoscopic microscope. Stereoscopic microscopes provide improved optics and enhanced lighting to meet the demands of any user.