Frequently asked questions

We have compiled the most frequently asked questions to help you quickly find the right answer.
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Objectives

    • Which objectives are selected for clinical laboratory microscopes?
    • Can phase contrast objectives be used for brightfield observation?
    • Can a plan achromat objective be used for fluorescence with reflected light?
    • Can Olympus infinity-corrected metallurgical objectives be used on a biological BX microscope?
    • Can I use an infinity-corrected objective from another manufacturer on an Evident Olympus microscope?
    • Can I use a finite tube length objective on an infinity-corrected system?
    • Can I use an infinity-corrected objective on a finite tube length microscope?
    • What is the highest numerical aperture for a “dry” objective?
    • What is meant by the resolving power of an objective?
    • What is meant by the working distance of an objective?
    • What is the purpose of the correction collar on certain dry 20x, 40x, or 60x objectives?
    • What is a No-cover glass (NCG or NC) objective?

Image quality

    • What is the relationship between numerical aperture and image brightness?
    • What is the parfocal distance of a microscope?

Eyepieces and tubes

    • What is a photo eyepiece?
    • What are the outer dimensions of the most common microscope tubes?
    • Why do some tube openings have notches?
    • What do the markings C, K, WF or H on an eyepiece mean?
    • What do the numbers 20, 22 or 26.5 on an eyepiece mean?

Inscriptions and markings

    • Why are some objectives marked with P, POL or SF?
    • What do the letters PL or NH on a phase objective mean?
    • Why are some objectives marked with UV?
    • What does the marking oil, oel or WI on an objective mean?
    • Why are some objectives marked NIC or DIC?
    • Why do some objectives use LWD or ULWD?
    • What do the colored rings on objectives mean?
    • Which objectives have no correction inscription or only “Plan”?
    • What does the marking PlanFl on an objective mean?
    • What does the marking Planapo on an objective mean?
    • What does the marking Plan on an objective mean?
    • What does the marking ∞ on an objective mean?
    • What does the marking 160 on the barrel of an objective mean?
    • What is the meaning of the N.A. number engraved on an objective?
    • What does the marking 0.17 on a microscope objective mean?

On our Tips and Tricks page, you will discover how to get the most out of your microscope.