Power: Turn on mercury lamp power first. Then turn on the rest (halogen light, computer, general power supply) in any order. We can leave the computer on always if desired. Turn off mercury lamp last when shutting down.
Phases: Ph1 à 10X and 20X objectives
Ph2 à 40X objective
Ports: 5 à digital camera/computer
1 à eyepiece
Eyepiece set: O à observation
C à closed
M à magnifies image to your eyes by 2.5X
B à sets focus on back of the lens
Filters: UV à blue emission
B à blue excitation/ green emission
G à green excitation/ red emission
(lower wavelength excitation > higher wavelength emission)
Condenser Adjustment: Adjusts image resolution and location
z-plane à use large black knobs on the headpiece
x,y-planes à use small silver knobs below the big black knobs
radius of image à use field diaphragm lever (on right, above black knobs)
Magnification: Knob on lower right side of scope magnifies image to the camera as well as the eyepiece. It goes from 1X to 1.5X. Decreases image quality when using fluorescence.
Fluorescence: Turn off halogen lamp (switch on lower left of scope). Open switch (on right side next to filters) which goes from “O” to “C”. This lets the fluorescent light through.
Focal Plane: The ring around the top of each objective adjusts the focal plane and increases image resolution. Purpose: adjust for the thickness of the platform your sample rests on. How to use: Adjust ring slightly, then refocus, then adjust ring again. Repeat until image resolution is maximized.