Microscope recommendations for successful high-quality photographic and video work
Buying a microscope is a daunting task. While the instrument should be of high quality, the cost usually has to fit within a set budget. On top of that, it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep track of the extensive range of products on the market and even harder to get an overview of what’s available in the first place. The number of microscope manufacturers is large, and each of them offers several different instruments.
The brief guide we have developed should help you gain a broad overview of what’s available on the market. Our list is based on our own personal experience and is not in any way intended to be exhaustive.
Generally, we tend to recommend branded microscopes (Nikon, Zeiss, Olympus, Leica, etc.), which can be purchased new or used, depending on the available budget and field of application. The market for used microscopes is huge and with a little patience and effort it is possible to acquire top-quality instruments at very reasonable prices.
Photographic documentation using laboratory microscopes:
There are a few things that should be taken into consideration when purchasing a microscope that will be used for photographic documentation: The most important of these is the microscope’s optical system, which ideally should be infinity-corrected. In this type of optical system, the image is fully corrected in the photo tube of the microscope.
Microscopes with finite optical systems are less suitable for creating photographic work and video sequences. Depending on the make and model, the objective lenses of microscopes with a finite optical system display various image aberrations, which are corrected in the eyepiece of the microscope. Therefore, these aberrations are not noticeable when viewed with the naked eye. As each type of microscope has a different image aberration, it is impossible to provide adapter solutions with the relevant correctors. For this reason, the microscope’s image aberrations may show up on the photographs and video sequences. Accordingly, the recording quality of microscopes with finite optical systems ranges from perfect to inadequate. The only way to find out is by trial and error.
If you are planning to use the microscope for photographic documentation on a regular basis, we recommend investing in an instrument featuring a trinocular head (photo tube) with C-mount connection (ideally with an optical factor of 1x). If the microscope does not have a photo tube, it is always possible to mount a camera to one of the two eyepiece tubes. The image quality of this solution is equally good as that produced when attaching the camera to the photo tube. However, you can only use one eyepiece if you choose this option.
The quality of the microscope lenses is probably the most important factor in the success of any photomicrograph. As a minimum requirement, so-called plan achromats should be used. More highly corrected and much more expensive objective lenses like plan fluorites or plan apochromats are intended for research and scientific purposes. Although they offer some advantages, they are not strictly required for standard applications.
Depending on the area of use, affordable contrast applications such as dark field, phase contrast and polarisation are available. Ideally, the necessary accessories can be inserted in a separate interchangeable condenser or into the condenser’s filter slot.
Photographic documentation using stereo microscopes:
Normal stereo microscopes have two separate optical paths (Greenough principle) and are therefore designed for visual observation through the eyepieces. The three-dimensional image is created by the human brain, which combines the information received from both eyes into a single image. When a camera is attached to a stereo microscope, only one of the two optical paths can be used. As a result, it is not possible to obtain a three-dimensional image of the specimen, and the image quality is poorer than in laboratory microscopes, which is also partly due to the beam orientation in the peripheral areas of the lens.
Telescope style (Abbe principle) stereo microscopes are more expensive, but much better suited for photomicrography.
In this group of microscopes, too, the quality of the microscope lenses used is a key factor affecting the quality of the image taken. A manually adjustable iris diaphragm is also a plus.
Our LM macroscopes and LM photo microscopes are interesting alternatives to traditional stereo microscopes because they feature a central optical path and have been developed specifically for photography applications.
1) Entry-level microscopes
Manual microscopes for standard requirements at an attractive price.
a) Laboratory microscopes
The microscopes should have plan objective lenses and an infinity-corrected optical system.
- Dark field and bright field,
- Phase contrast
- Polarisation contrast
Laboratory microscopes | Laboratory microscopes |
Zeiss Axiolab | Leica DM750 |
Zeiss Axio Lab.A1 | Leica DME |
Zeiss Axio Lab.A1 FL-LED | Leica DMLS |
Zeiss Axio Lab.A1 MAT | Leica DM LM |
Zeiss Axio Lab.A1 Pol | Leica DMLB |
Zeiss Axioplan | Leica DM1000 LED |
Zeiss Axiostar | Leica DM1000 |
Zeiss Primo Star | Leica DM750M |
Zeiss Primo Star iLed | Nikon Eclipse E100 |
Zeiss Primovert invers | Nikon Eclipse 50i |
Zeiss Axiostar plus FL | Nikon Eclipse 55i Led |
Zeiss Axiostar plus | Nikon Eclipse E200 |
Leica DM500 | Nikon Eclipse TS100 invers |
Leica DM EP | Nikon Eclipse TS2 |
Olympus CKX31/CKX41 invers | Nikon Eclipse MA100 und MA200 |
Olympus CX 21 / CX31 / CX41 | |
Olympus CX40 |
b) Stereomicroscopes
These microscopes are based on the Greenough principle and feature a zoom of approximately 7x, thus yielding an effective magnification of up to 100x.
Stereomikroskop | Stereomikroskop |
Zeiss Stemi 2000 | Olympus SZ11 |
Zeiss Stemi 2000C | Olympus SZ40 |
Zeiss Stemi 2000C für KS Elispot | Olympus SZ60 |
Zeiss Stemi 2000 CS | Olympus SZ61/SZ51 |
Zeiss Stemi 508 | Nikon SMZ460 |
Leica A60 S | Nikon SMZ 645 - 660 |
Leica M50 | Nikon SMZ745 |
Leica M60 | Nikon SMZ745T |
Leica M80 | Nikon SMZ1000 |
Leica GZ6 | Nikon SMZ800 |
Leica S4 | Nikon SMZ4450 |
Leica S4 E | Nikon SMZ800N |
Leica S6 | Nikon SMZ 2T |
Leica S6 D | Nikon SMZ 10 |
Leica S6 E | Wild M3 |
Leica 6T | Wild M5 |
Leica 6E | Wild M7 |
2) Microscopes for more sophisticated requirements
Instruments for more sophisticated applications. Depending on the configuration, additional modules and objective lenses used, there is some crossover between group 2 (microscopes for more sophisticated requirements) and group 3 (top-grade microscopes). It is not always possible to make a clear distinction because many microscopes of this class can be turned into top-grade instruments by upgrading them.
a) Laboratory microscopes
The microscopes should have infinity-corrected plan objective lenses.
The following microscopy methods should be possible:
- Dark field and bright field,
- Phase contrast
- Polarisation contrast
- Flourescence
b) Stereomicroscopes
Laboratory microscopes | Laboratory microscopes |
Zeiss Axiolab.A1 | Leica DM IL (Invers) |
Zeiss Axioskop | Leica LS2 |
Zeiss Axioskop 2 MOT | Leica LB2 |
Zeiss Axioplan 2 Imaging | Leica 2500 M |
Zeiss Axioskop 2 Plus | Leica 2500 P |
Zeiss Axioskop 2 FS Plus | Leica 2000 |
Zeiss Axioskop 20 | Leica DM4000 B LED |
Zeiss Axioskop 40 | Leica DM IL LED |
Zeiss Axioskop 40 A Pol | Leica DM2500 M |
Zeiss Axioskop 40 FL | Leica DM2500 P |
Zeiss Axioskop 40 Pol | Leica DM2000/ DM 2000 LED |
Zeiss Axioskop 50 | Leica DM2700 |
Zeiss Axiotech | Leica DM2700 M |
Zeiss Axiovert | Leica DM2700 P |
Zeiss Axiovert 10 invers | Leitz DMRB/E |
Zeiss Axiovert 35 invers | Leica DM IL Led (Invers) |
Zeiss Axiovert 100 invers | Leica DMI 5000 M (Invers) |
Zeiss Axiovert S100 invers | Olympus AX70 |
Zeiss Axiovert 100A invers | Olympus BX40 / BX50 |
Zeiss Axiovert 135 invers | Olympus BX45 |
Zeiss Axio Scope | Olympus BX43 |
Zeiss Axio Scope.A1/ .A1 Pol/ .A1 Vario | Olympus BX46 |
Zeiss Axiovert 200 invers | Olympus BX51 / BX61 |
Zeiss Axiovert 200 mit Apo Tome invers | Olympus BX52 |
Zeiss Axiophot | OlympusIX50 / IX70 |
Zeiss Axioplan | Olympus IX51 / IX71 / IX 81 invers |
Zeiss Axio Examiner | Olympus IX53 |
Zeiss Axio Examiner.A1 | Olympus CKX53 |
Zeiss Axio Examiner.D1 | Nikon Eclipse E400 |
Zeiss Axio Examiner.Z1 | Nikon Eclpise E600 |
Zeiss Axio Imager 2 Zeiss Axio Imager Vario |
Nikon Eclipse E80 |
Zeiss Axio Imager.A1 | Nikon TE 300 invers |
Zeiss Axio Imager.A2 | Nikon TE 200 invers |
Zeiss Axio Imager.D1 | Nikon Eclipse L150 |
Reichert-Jung ME3 | Nikon Eclipse L200 |
Nikon Eclipse ME 600 C |
These microscopes are based on the telescope principle (Abbe) and feature a zoom of approximately 15x, thus yielding an effective magnification of up to 200x. The lens objectives used are apo lenses.
Stereomicroscope | Stereomicroscope |
Leica M80 | Zeiss Stemi SV6 |
Leica M165C | Zeiss Stemi SV8 |
Leica M125 | Zeiss Stemi SV11/ SV11 Apo |
Leica MS5 | Zeiss Axio Zoom V16 |
Leica MS6 | Olympus SZX2 |
Leica MZ6 | Olympus SZX7 |
Leica MZ7 | Olympus SZX9 |
Leica MZ7.5 | Olympus SZX16 |
Leica MZ8 | Olympus SZX10 |
Leica MZ9 | Olympus SZX12 |
Leica MZ9.5 | Olympus SZX7 |
Leica MZ12.5 | Olympus SZH 10 |
Leica S7.5 | Wild M8 |
Huvitz HSZ ZB700 | Wild M10 |
Nikon SMZ1500 |
3) Top-grade microscopes
Motorised microscopes and/or microscopes with special research and scientific features for working on difficult specialist tasks.
a) Laboratory microscopes
Instruments belonging to this group mostly feature a heavy, solid stand that is firm in all positions to avoid movement and vibration while working. In addition, the stand usually has a lot of space for additional modules.
The following microscopy methods should be possible:
- dark field and bright field,
- Phase contrast
- Polarisation contrast
- Flourescence
- DIC
- Interference
Labormikroskop | Labormikroskop |
Zeiss Axio Examen | Zeiss Axio Observer.D1 Mid Range |
Zeiss Axio Imager 2 | Zeiss Axio Observer.D1 TIRF 3 |
Zeiss Axio Imager.A1m | Zeiss Axio Observer.Z1 |
Zeiss Axio Imager.A2m | Zeiss Axio Observer.Z1 Cell Observer |
Zeiss Axio Imager.D1m | Zeiss Axio Observer.Z1 Cell Observer SD |
Zeiss Axio Imager.M1 | Zeiss Axio Observer.Z1 TIRF 3 |
Zeiss Axio Imager.M2 | Zeiss Axio Observer.Z1 High End |
Zeiss Axio Imager.M2m | Zeiss Axio Observer.Z1m ACR |
Zeiss Axio Imager.Z1 | Zeiss Axio Imager |
Zeiss Axio Imager.Z1m | Zeiss Axioskop 2 FS MOT |
Zeiss Axio Imager.Z2m | Zeiss Axioskop 2 MOT Plus |
Zeiss Axiovert.A1 | Zeiss Axiotech vario |
Zeiss Axiovert 135M invers | Nikon Eclipse NiE |
Zeiss Axiovert 200M invers | Nikon Eclipse LV-N |
Zeiss Axiovert 200M für Auflicht-Floureszenz + Apo Tome invers | Leica DM5000 |
Zeiss Axiovert 200M MAT invers | Leica DM6000 |
Zeiss Axiovert 200M MAT invers | Leica DMI5000 invers |
Zeiss Axiovert 405M invers | Leica DM IRE2 invers |
Zeiss Axio Observer | Leica DMi8 invers |
Zeiss Axio Observer.A1 | Leica DMI6000B invers |
Zeiss Axio Observer.A1 Entry | Leica FS4000 |
Zeiss Axio Observer.D1 | Leica LMD6500 |
Zeiss Axio Observer.D1 + Apo Tome | Leica LMD7000 |
Zeiss Axio Observer.D1 Entry | Olympus BX53/ BX63 |
Zeiss Axiotron 2 | Olympus IX73 / IX 83 invers |
b) Stereomicroscopes
These microscopes are based on the telescope principle (Abbe) and feature a zoom of approximately 25x, thus yielding an effective magnification of up to 200x. The lens objectives used are apo lenses.
Stereomicroscopes | Stereomicrosopes |
Zeiss SteREO Discovery.V12 | Leica M205 FA |
Zeiss SteREO Discovery.V8 | Leica MZ16 |
Zeiss SteREO Discovery.V20 | Leica MZ16 Apo |
Leica M125 | Leica MZ16 FA |
Leica M165C | Leica MZ Apo |
Leica M165 | Nikon SMZ1270i |
Leica M165 FL | Nikon SMZ25 |
Leica M205A | Nikon SMZ18 |
Leica M205C | Olympus SZX16 |
4) Macroscopes
Makroskope | Makroskope |
Leica M420 | Leica S8 Apo |
LM Makroskop 16x | Olympus MVX10 |
LM Makroskop 32x | |
LM Fotomikroskop |
17.07.2015
update: 02.06.2016
New LM Digital Adapter for: Nikon Z9 / Nikon Z8 / Sony Alpha 7R V / Sony Alpha 1 / Sony FX3 Cinema Line / Sony Alpha 9 II (ILCE-9M2) / Sony Alpha 9 / Nikon D6 / Canon EOS R3 / Canon EOS R6 Mark II / Canon EOS R8 / Sony Alpha 7R IV / Canon EOS R5 / Sony Alpha 7S II / Sony Alpha 7S III / Sony Alpha 7R III / Canon EOS R6 / Nikon Z6 / Nikon Z6II / Sony Alpha 7R II / Nikon Z7 / Nikon Z7II / Canon EOS R / Canon EOS Ra (Astro) / Nikon Z5 / Sony Alpha 7C / Canon EOS RP / Sony Alpha 7S / Canon EOS R7 / Leica SL2-S / Canon EOS R10 / Canon EOS 1D X Mark III / Nikon Z50 / Nikon Z30 / Nikon Z fc / Nikon D850 / Canon EOS 1D X Mark II / Nikon D780 / Olympus OM-1 / Sony Alpha 7III / Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III / Canon EOS R100 / Sony Alpha 6700 / Nikon D5 / Sony Alpha 6600 / Fujifilm X-H2S / Fujifilm X-S10 / Fujifilm X-E4 / Fujifilm X-Pro3 / Olympus OM-D E-M1X / Sony Alpha 6400 /