Comparison Celestron 44121 vs Levenhuk LabZZ M101

The range of magnifications provided by the device is from minimum to maximum.

The magnification of the microscope is calculated by the formula "the magnification of the eyepiece is multiplied by the magnification of the objective." For example, a 20x objective with a 10x eyepiece will give a magnification of 10*20 = 200x. Modern microscopes can be equipped with multi-objective turrets, zoom lenses (see below) and interchangeable eyepieces — so that in most models the magnification can be adjusted. This allows you to adjust the device to different situations: when you need to consider small details, a high degree of magnification is used, but to expand the field of view, the magnification must be reduced.

Detailed recommendations on optimal multiplicities for different tasks can be found in special sources. Here we note that many manufacturers go to the trick and indicate the maximum value of the magnification by the degree of magnification achieved with an additional Barlow lens. Such a lens can indeed give a serious increase in magnification, but it is not a fact that the image will turn out to be of high quality; for more details, see "Complete set".

— Zoom lens. Lens with variable magnification. Such optics allow you to smoothly change the overall magnification of the microscope within certain limits, without changing the objective/eyepiece and without even looking up from observations. On the other hand, zoom lenses are more complicated and more expensive than constant magnification optics. Therefore, they are mainly used in stereoscopic microscopes (see "Type"): in the repair, assembly and other tasks for which such devices are used, the ability to smoothly adjust the multiplicity is extremely useful.

— magnification factor. The magnification provided by the lens. This parameter, along with the magnification of the eyepiece, affects the overall magnification of the device (see above). Most biological microscopes (see "Type") are equipped with several different magnification objectives on the turret; this allows you to adjust the degree of magnification as desired by the user. The standard magnification options for such lenses are 4x, 10x, 40x, 100x.

— Achromat. One of the varieties of colour correction used in lenses. The need for colour correction is due to the fact that light of different colours is refracted differently by lenses, and without additional measures, the image in the microscope would be blurred with iridescent stains. Achromatic is one of the simplest types of colour correction; in such optics, colour distortions in yellow and green are corrected.... Achromatic lenses have simple design and low cost. However the image quality in them is far from perfect: such a lens gives a clear image only in the centre of the image, the width of the sharpness zone is about a third of the total width of the field of view, and red-blue streaks may appear along the edges of the image. However, this is quite enough for general acquaintance, initial training, and often for more serious tasks.

— Planachromat. An improved and improved version of achromatic lenses (see above). Plan achromats provide additional correction of the field curvature, due to which the area of a clearly visible image in such lenses is at least 2/3 of the total width of the field of view, and often even more. It is these lenses that are recommended for serious study and professional use.

— Rim diameter. The size of the thread used to mount the lens. A larger bore usually means a wider lens, which means higher aperture and better image quality. On the other hand, the large size affects the dimensions, weight and cost of optics. In modern microscopes, diameters from 20 to 35 mm are mainly found. Knowing the size of the thread, you can purchase replacement or spare lenses for the device.

— Monocular. An eyepiece with a single lens that can only be viewed with one eye. For obvious reasons, it is only used in biological microscopes (see "Type"). The advantages of monoculars are primarily smaller size and cost than other varieties; in addition, they do not require adjustment for interpupillary distance. On the other hand, constantly looking into the eyepiece with one eye is tiring, so this option is poorly suited for situations where you have to look into the microscope often and for a long time.

— Binocular. Dual eyepiece that can be viewed with both eyes at once. Note that such optics are used not only in stereomicroscopes, originally intended for viewing an object through two lenses (see "Type"), but also in biological microscopes with one lens. The fact is that looking into an optical device with two eyes is much more convenient than with one, while the eyes are less loaded and fatigue does not occur so quickly. Therefore, for serious tasks associated with frequent use of a microscope, binoculars (or trinoculars, see below) are the best option. Such optics cost more than monocular, but this is offset by ease of use.

— Trinocular. A kind of binocular (see the relevant paragraph), supplemented by a third optical channel for a special camera-video eyepiece. Such a camera is usually connected to a PC or laptop; by installing it in the soc...ket for the third eyepiece, you can take photos and videos, as well as display the image in real time on the computer screen. At the same time, you can look through the microscope in the usual way. Devices with trinoculars are very functional and versatile, but they are complex and expensive.

— LCD screen. The microscope has an LCD screen that replaces the traditional eyepiece. You do not need to bend over to such a device each time to view the image, which is very convenient if observations need to be combined with record keeping and other similar activities. Microscopes of this design usually have a photo and video function, as well as various built-in tools — for example, a scale grid for estimating the size of visible objects, displayed directly on the screen. In addition, the image on the screen can be seen not only by the direct user, but also by everyone who is nearby; such features are indispensable during training sessions, consultations, presentations, etc. On the other hand, such microscopes turn out to be bulky and expensive.

— magnification factor. The magnification provided by the eyepiece. This parameter, along with the lens magnification, affects the overall magnification of the device (see above). The classic option for eyepieces in microscopes is 10x, but higher values \u200b\u200bare also found. The package may include several eyepieces, of different magnification — to change the overall degree of magnification. There is a multiplicity designation with a letter index, for example, WF10x. This means that the eyepiece has an extended field of view (WF — wide, EWF — extra wide, UWF — extra wide).

— Eyepiece tilt. The tilt of the eyepiece determines the position of the observer's head when looking through the microscope and the overall usability. According to this indicator, three main options can be distinguished: fixed angle, adjustable angle, without tilt. The fixed angle is most often 30° or 45° relative to the horizontal, these values are considered the most convenient. In angle-adjustable microscopes, the entire stand, with tube and stage, is fixed to the base with a swivel mount. This is the most convenient option, allowing you to adjust the tilt to your preference, but the mount tends to become loose over time, so it is rarely used in professional microscopes. The third variety — vertical microscopes, without tilt — have not received much distribution: this design is used in some stereoscopic models (see "Type") in order to ensure that the stage remains strictly horizontal (this is important for some work with microscopic objects).

— Rim diameter. The nominal diameter of the eyepiece used in the microscope, as well as the diameter of the hole in the tube, designed to install the eyepiece. Several standard diameters are used in modern microscopes, in particular 23 and 27 mm. In fact, this parameter is necessary, first of all, if you plan to purchase spare or replacement eyepieces for the microscope, or if you already have an eyepiece on the farm, and you need to evaluate its compatibility with this model.

— Diopter adjustment. The range of diopter correction provided in the eyepiece. This correction is used so that a nearsighted or farsighted person can look through the microscope without glasses or contact lenses. In most models with this function, the correction range is about 5 diopters in both directions; this allows the microscope to be used for low to moderate myopia/farsightedness.

The design of the object stage provided in the microscope.

— Stationary. Subject table, fixed motionless; focus in such microscopes is carried out by moving up and down the tube with the objective and the eyepiece. Such systems are simple and inexpensive, but focus while looking through a constantly moving eyepiece is not very convenient. In addition, for advanced biological microscopes (see "Type") with binoculars and trinoculars (see "Eyepiece"), this option is also poorly suited for some design reasons. But the vast majority of stereomicroscopes are equipped with stationary tables — this is the most reasonable design, taking into account the specifics of the application.

— Movable. In microscopes of this type, the entire optical system is fixedly fixed on a tripod, and the stage can be moved up and down to focus the optics. This design is found exclusively in biological microscopes (see "Type"). It is somewhat more complicated and expensive than with a fixed table, but at the same time it is much more convenient: when focus, the eyepiece does not move, which allows you to comfortably adjust the image without looking up. In addition, it is the movable stage that is most suitable for advanced devices with binoculars and trinoculars (see "Eyepiece"), almost all such microscopes have such equipment.

The presence in the microscope of illumination directed from top to bottom. In biological microscopes (see "Type"), such illumination makes it possible to examine opaque objects; also in some cases it can be used as an addition to the main lower lighting. And in stereoscopic models, only overhead light is used — this is due to the specifics of the application.

The type of diaphragm installed in the microscope.

The diaphragm is a device that partially blocks the flow of light from the microscope lighting system. It is used mainly for adjusting lighting, as well as for some more specific tasks (in particular, changing the depth of field). When adjusting the diaphragm, the size of its working opening changes - and, accordingly, the actual light transmission; and different types of diaphragms ( iris or rim) differ in adjustment features:

- Iris. The name comes from the Latin word for the iris of the eye - similar devices work on a similar principle. The iris diaphragm consists of a set of specially shaped blades (the so-called lamellas). When moving to close, these petals move from the edges of the working hole to the center, reducing its size; when opening, they correspondingly move outward. Iris diaphragms are more complex and more expensive than rim diaphragms, but they have a number of important advantages over them. First of all, the light transmission throughout the entire operating range of such devices changes smoothly, which allows you to select the settings as accurately as possible. You can manage the settings without interrupting your monitoring of the drug; At the same time, iris diaphragms are also as compact and lightweight as possible. As a result, this option is the most popular in microscopes of the middle class and above, and...is also often found even in simpler models.

- Disk. Another name is revolver. This type of diaphragm is a rim with holes of different sizes made in it; By rotating the rim, you can place different holes in the field of view of the microscope and, thus, change the light transmission. The main advantages of such devices are simplicity of design, low cost, reliability and ease of repair. On the other hand, disc diaphragms are less practical and sophisticated than iris diaphragms - in particular, they are very bulky and do not allow for smooth adjustment. In light of this, this option is used mainly among entry-level microscopes, where advanced characteristics are not required - and an affordable price, on the contrary, is of key importance.

— Adjustment of interpupillary distance. The ability to change the distance between the eyepieces in a binocular or trinocular microscope (see "Eyepiece"). For normal visibility, it is necessary that the distance between the lenses of the eyepieces correspond to the distance between the pupils of the user. This distance varies from person to person, so this setting may be required for comfortable use.

— Brightness adjustment. The ability to change the brightness of the backlight — to adjust the lighting to the specifics of the situation. For example, to study a thin transparent preparation in a bright field, high brightness will be unnecessary, but when transilluminating a dense dark object, it is indispensable.

— Illumination according to Keller. The presence of illumination in the microscope according to the Keller system. Such lighting is used exclusively in biological models (see "Type"), it is a sign of a professional level device. The Keller system complicates and increases the cost of the design, in addition, it may require specific settings, but with the right settings, the quality of the lighting is very high, and the image is as reliable as possible. Note that in microscopes there is a so-called. "simplified Keller system", when the settings are set at the factory and cannot be changed; however, in this case, it is precisely the full-fledged,...adjustable Keller lighting that is meant.

— Photo / video recording. Possibility of photo and video filming of the image visible in a microscope. Features of the implementation of this function in different microscopes may be different. For example, some models need to be connected to a computer, while others can record materials directly to a memory card or other media. Also, the cameras themselves, carrying out the shooting, can be both built-in and removable (see "Packaging" / relevant paragraphs).