How to Use a Stereomicroscope
A stereomicroscope is a low-power compound microscope that produces a stereoscopic image. It is widely used in many fields of science, industry and medicine. For the scope to perform to its maximum potential it must be properly set up. The instructions given here are for a basic stereomicroscope with a zoom objective and both reflected and transmitted light illuminators.
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Instructions
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Set the microscope in a comfortable position and turn on the reflected light illuminator. Place a small solid specimen onto the stage plate. A coin or any other flat, detailed object will do nicely. Turn the zoom dial to low power and bring the image into focus.
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Adjust the eyepieces for the correct interpupillary distance. Do this by bringing the eyepieces closer together or farther apart until a single field of view is observed. Now, set the diopter adjustment rings on both eyepieces to the zero position.
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Use the zoom control to set the highest magnification. Bring the image into focus with the focus control. It is best to center the image on some clear point of detail.
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Zoom the microscope down to the lowest magnification. The image could be slightly out of focus. Do not adjust the focus with the focus knob. Instead, adjust the focus for each eye separately using the eyepiece diopter adjustment rings. The microscope is now "parfocal". This means that as the microscope is zoomed from high to low magnification the image will stay in focus throughout the entire range. Each individual would have a different setting. The stereomicroscope is now set up for comfortable, all-day use.
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