6 Features Of A Zoom Microscope To Watch Out For

A zoom microscope is an essential tool in many fields. In gemology, it helps a gemologist identify samples by zooming in on its physical characteristics while it helps a jewelry artist analyze and evaluate his end product for possible design flaws. In medicinal science, a zoom microscope helps a physician detect internal organs that are in bad condition and later on helps a surgeon treat these areas and restore them to good health. It also plays a vital role in inspecting semiconductors and circuit boards and examining biological specimens, just to name a few.

A zoom microscope is not as expensive as an electron microscope because it doesn’t require such an intense light source and high objective magnification. A zoom microscope is essentially a simple but incredibly helpful tool for many people and if you’re hoping to purchase one, you won’t need to spend much for it. You do need to take care of what kind of zoom microscope you wish to buy as their features tend to vary, depending on the application you wish to use it for.

6 Features of a Zoom Microscope to Watch Out for

Gem Clips – Keeping gem samples and other precious stones and materials is hard to do because you don’t want the stage clips to accidentally damage or scratch the sample’s surface. Scratches will, after all, cause its market value to drop. But making do without them is also unthinkable since you want your gem sample to be set in place while you’re observing them. The answer to this dilemma is simple: look for a zoom microscope with built-in or at least offers gem clip accessories. These can help keep your gem samples in place without damaging them. Another ideal accessory for a zoom microscope used in gemology and jewelry making would be jewelry tweezers. They let you handle your gem samples carefully and also without scratching them as you transfer them from one place to another.

Dual Adjustment – It’s best to avoid purchasing zoom microscopes that do not offer dual and separate adjustment. Remember that zoom microscopes are essentially two separate microscopes working together to produce images in relief. As they are set at observing your sample in different angles, you will also need to make different adjustments for each eyepiece tube to obtain ideal image resolution and magnification for your microscope.

Working Distance – Buy the microscope with the greatest working distance that you can afford. Working distance is the distance between the sample under observation and the objective you’re currently using. Working distance is inversely correlated to image resolution so the higher resolution you need, the smaller working distance, and consequently field of view as well, you have to work with.

Trinocular Head – A zoom microscope automatically has two eyepieces holes or is binocular since you’ll need to use both eyes to be able to view images in relief. But if you wish to capture these images and save them, you’ll need an extra eyepiece tube and that’s when a trinocular port is need. The third eyepiece tube may be used also for plain viewing – but without seeing a three-dimensional image this time – and for attaching a digital camera.

Digital Camera – Speaking of which, a digital camera may be a built-in feature and this is, as mentioned, a desirable feature if you want to store images produced by your zoom microscope. Look for a digital camera with the highest image resolution and able to produce video footage with sound as well. Some digital cameras may even let you take different shots of your sample and view them simultaneously either on its LCD screen or to any other connected monitor. It may also allow you to edit these images, provide overlays, references, and captions, organize them, and save them in different formats, depending on the software package it often comes accompanied with.

Boom Stand – A zoom microscope may or may not come with a boom stand. This is a cymbal stand with an arm on top to provide the user better positioning flexibility. Boom stands come in various designs and sizes. Again, make sure it is compatible with your zoom microscope before buying.

Miscellaneous – As microscopes are more expensive than many commodities, retailers and manufacturers often try to inveigle people into buying them by offering “extra goods”. Take note of this if you’re working with a tight budget. Some zoom microscopes come not only with the usual free dust cover and extra set of objectives or eyepieces but they may also come with a free pair of eye guards, microscope case, and cleaning essentials, just to name a few.