Stereo Microscope

Stereo microscopes are the best tool for part inspection, assembly, and micro soldering, watch repair, watchmaking, precision optomechanics, sample preparation for high power optical, and Electron Microscopes. The basic principal is shown below: The binocular section a provision to adjust to the eye distance, and basically works like a pair of binoculars focused at infinity. The magnification changer is either a zoom lens or a selection of several magnifying telescopes. The objective is a large diameter achromatic lens whose focal length is equal to the working distance.

Infinity focus stereo microscope scheme

Zeiss 8 x - 50 x stereo microscope with LED illumination

Camera adapter directs the beam from one eye to a CCD camera or a third eyepiece.

Older generation Zeiss stereo microscopes (left) did not allow modifying their light path. Infinity design (parallel beam) in modern microscopes allow interrupting the beam without causing any change in focus. Above, right, is an adapter that mounts below the observation head to direct the image of one eye to a CCD camera or a 3rd eyepiece.