3B Scientific Binocular Microscope Model 500 LED with Polarisation Equipment User Manual
Page 2
 
2
Illumination: Adjustable LED lighting integrated 
in base, universal 85 to 265 V, 50/60 Hz power 
supply 
Condenser: Abbe condenser N.A.1.25 NA 0.65 
with iris diaphragm , filter holder and blue filter, 
focussed via rack and pinion drive 
Dimensions: 306 x 190 x 407 mm³ approx.
Weight: 6.6 kg approx.
 
 
3. Unpacking and assembly
The microscope is packed in a molded styro-
foam container. 
•
Take the container out of the carton remove 
the tape and carefully lift the top half off the 
container. Be careful not to let the optical 
items (objectives and eyepieces) drop down. 
•
To avoid condensation on the optical com-
ponents, leave the microscope in the original 
packing to allow it to adjust to room tem-
perature. 
•
Using both hands (one around the pillar and 
one around the base), lift the microscope 
from the container and put it on a stable 
desk. 
•
The objectives will be found within individual 
protective vials. Install the objectives into the 
microscope nosepiece from the lowest 
magnification to the highest, in a clockwise 
direction from the rear. 
•
Put the head onto the top of the stand and 
tighten the head-lock-screw. Insert the eye-
pieces into the tube. 
 
 
4. Operation
4.1 General information
•
Set the microscope on a level table.
•
Place the object to be observed in the centre 
of the specimen stage and clamp it to the 
object guide. 
•
Connect the mains cable to the net and turn 
on the switch to get the object illuminated. 
•
Make certain that the specimen is centered 
over the opening in the stage. 
•
Adjust the interpupillary distance so that one 
circle of light can be seen. 
•
Make the necessary eyepiece dioptre ad-
justments to suit your eyes. 
•
To obtain a high contrast, adjust the back-
ground illumination by means of the iris dia-
phragm and the variable illumination control. 
•
Rotate the nosepiece until the objective with 
the lowest magnification is pointed at the 
specimen. There is a definite “click” when 
each objective is lined up properly. 
NOTE: It is best to begin with the lowest power 
objective. This is important to reveal general 
structural details with the largest field of view 
first. Than you may increase the magnification 
as needed to reveal small details. 
When 100x
(oil) objective is chosen, objective oil must be 
dripped onto the slide.
To determine the magnification at which you are 
viewing a specimen, multiply the power of the 
eyepiece by the power of the objective. 
•
Adjust the holding brake to give a suitable 
degree of tightness in the focusing mecha-
nism. 
•
Adjust the coarse-focusing-knob which 
moves the stage up until the specimen is fo-
cused. Be careful that the objective does not 
make contact with the slide at any time. This 
may cause damage to the objective and/or 
crack your slide. 
•
Adjust the fine-focusing-knob to get the im-
age more sharp and more clear. 
•
Colour filters may be inserted into the filter 
holder for definition of specimen parts. 
Swing the filter holder out and insert colour 
filters. 
•
Use the knobs of the mechanical stage to 
move the slide side-, back- and forwards. 
The vernier provides accurate location of the 
specimen area. 
•
Always turn off the light immediately after 
use. 
•
Be careful not to spill any liquids on the mi-
croscope. 
•
Do not mishandle or impose unnecessary 
force on the microscope. 
•
Do not wipe the optics with your hands.
•
Do not attempt to service the microscope 
yourself. 
4.2 Using the polarisation equipment
•
Insert the analyser into the slot on the re-
volving nosepiece. 
•
Place the polarising filter on the rim aperture 
of the light source. 
•
Rotate the polariser until the planes of the 
polariser and the analyser are exactly 
crossed, so that one sees a black back-
ground. 
Any object with a doubly-refracting (birefringent) 
structure should now appear brightly illuminated 
against the dark background. If that does not 
occur, it is possible that the direction of light 
vibration of the object coincides with the polari-
sation direction. Whether or not that is the case