Zeiss Microscopes

Carl Zeiss has contributed immensely to the filed of microscopy starting with the introduction of their first microscope in 1847. We’ll first study one of its older designs, and then discuss its newer Axioplan series introduced in 1986.

 

The most timeless microscope design Zeiss developed was the Universal series with the Lumipan stand in 1958 (below, right). Another revolutionary design was the Axiomat in 1973. It had a futuristic cubic design.

Zeiss Universal Microsocpe1958

Zeiss Universal sample stage, and nosepiece turret

Complex light path in Zeiss Universal microscope

Light path in Zeiss Universal Photo microscope with internal lamp (above) reveals the overall look of this microscope. This design features a built-in film magazine to record images  (see the Fluorescence link). The Zeiss design has always been uniquely curvy until the introduction of Axioplan, and Axiophot series which we’ll discuss next. Most of Zeiss microscope designs are elegantly classic but remain timeless.

Zeiss Student Microscope

Bright-filed Illumination (above) Dark-field (right)

Microscope

Slide

Eyepiece

Objective

Condenser

Lamp

Vintage external illumination on student microscopes vs bright field illumination utilizing a lamp (above).