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Leica Ivesta 3 stereomicroscope: Take advantage of the cutting-edge features of the latest digital cameras 

With our LM microscope adapters, featuring integrated precision optics, you can use the full potential of powerful digital cameras. This allows you to achieve a significantly higher level of image quality and still save costs.

The Leica Ivesta 3 series features three microscope models

    • Ivesta 3 (binocular)
    • Ivesta 3 (C-mount) with integrated phototube (50/50 light split)
    • Ivesta 3 with integrated digital camera and computer image sharing

Leica’s Ivesta 3 series of microscopes was launched in 2023. The microscopes, which use a Greenough optical design, are suitable for a broad range of industrial, clinical, laboratory and teaching applications and offer a strong price-performance ratio.

Key microscope features:

    • Stereo microscope with Greenough optical design (10°)
    • Magnification range 6.1x to 55x
    • Maximum numerical aperture 0,167
    • FusionOptics technology
    • Zoom factor 9:1
    • Supplementary lenses 0.5x, 0.63x, 0.75x, 1.6x, 2.0x (apochromats) available
    • Working distance without supplementary lenses: 122 mm
   
The optical system of the Ivesta 3 microscopes consists of two separate beam paths. The offset of the optical axis of the two beam paths creates a three-dimensional effect for the viewer when looking through the eyepieces. When working under the microscope, this stereo effect is particularly helpful for guiding tools, such as tweezers, soldering irons or scalpels, and moving them into position in the space above the specimen. The working distance without supplementary lenses is 122 mm.

The microscope body is equipped with precision zoom optics with a factor of 9:1, allowing the magnification to be set from 6.1x to 55x. Pre-defined click stops are provided at 10x, 20x, 30x, 40x and 50x magnification.

The eyepiece tubes have an internal diameter of 30 mm and a 35 degree viewing angle. The standard version of the microscope is equipped with widefield 10x/23 eyepieces, resulting in an object field diameter of 37 mm at the lowest magnification.

This photo was taken with the Ivesta 3 and a Nikon Z5 mirrorless system camera. It shows the flesh of a passion fruit at about 10x microscope magnification. The orange flesh with the black seeds inside is clearly visible. The hard cores are about 4mm long.

Camera assembly

The Ivesta 3 (C-mount) version has a separate phototube with an M38 external thread. This model is the most flexible of the three Ivesta 3 microscopes in terms of camera compatibility: virtually any camera (C-mount camera, digital SLR or mirrorless system camera, special microscope camera or high-speed camera) can be attached to the microscope with one of our LM microscope adapters.

Depending on the customer’s requirements, we can offer a variety of adapter solutions for this microscope.

Key features of LM microscope adapters

    • Integrated precision optics for superior image quality
    • Large lens diameter, high light gathering power for short shutter speeds
    • High-quality mechanical build for a long service life
    • Focusable adapter solution: image observed through the eyepiece can be aligned with that of the phototube
    • Modular system can be individually configured
    • Widefield optics or optics with infinitely variable magnification options
    • Adapter solution allows integration of optical filters
    • Optical adapter solutions with integrated multiple filter changer
    • Flexible accessory modules
    • Customer-specific adapter solution
    • Professional customer support
    • Developed and manufactured in Austria
      
As an alternative, the camera can also be attached to the eyepiece tube. To attach the camera, one of the microscope’s eyepieces is removed and the camera-adapter combination is put in its place. 

This adapter solution is very flexible because it can also be used on other microscopes with standard-sized eyepiece tubes (23.2 mm and 30 mm). It should be noted, however, that this configuration limits the user to a single eyepiece for direct observation. The optical quality achieved with this method is very good and matches that of a phototube adapter solution.

Digital camera attached to the eyepiece tube of a Leica stereomicroscope 

With this connection method, an extensive range of cameras can be attached to the binocular model of the Ivesta 3 stereomicroscope.

Leica also offers the Ivesta 3 with an integrated 12 MP digital camera and computer image sharing capabilities. The microscope can be connected directly to a monitor with an HDMI cable, and the integrated software can also be used to perform and document measuring tasks. The digitally coded zoom enhances the user’s observational capabilities. A Wi-Fi dongle is offered as an additional accessory. Because the camera is firmly built into the microscope, it cannot be upgraded at a later point.

Photography: 

Fitting the microscope to digital single-lens reflex (DSLR), mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras (MILC ), digital single-lens mirrorless (DSLM) or C-mount cameras is easy with our LM digital SLR adapters, which feature a plan achromatic optical system. Our products make it possible to capture top-quality microscope images. To help you select the adapter that is right for your camera, we have set up an online configurator on our website. You can also email us – ideally with attached photographs of your microscope.

Modern DSLR and single-lens mirrorless (DSLM) offer the latest technology and are generally very well suited for microscopy applications. Most of them can be controlled remotely via PC/Mac. Because of their high sales volumes, they offer an excellent price/performance ratio compared to special-purpose microscope cameras.

Features of top DSLR and single-lens mirrorless cameras (DSLM):
- Large, powerful full-frame sensors (36 x 24 mm)
- Sensor resolution of 61 megapixels or 240 megapixels with Pixel Shift technology
- High light sensitivity (ISO 400,000+)
- Extensive dynamic range (up to 15 aperture stops/f-stops)
- Short exposure times (1/8000 second) up to 1/32,000 seconds using the digital shutter
- 4K Ultra HD  or 8K Ultra HD video function
- Live video capture on external monitors in ultra HD quality

In most cases, these cameras are significantly more powerful than microscope cameras with smaller sensors (1/2" or 2/3"). On our website you will find our current camera recommendations and a camera ranking which is specifically tailored to microscopy applications.