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100x Objective
Begin looking at any specimen with the iris
diaphragm all the way open (clockwise is open,
counter-clockwise is closed). After focusing,
reduce the light by moving the lower lever until the
specimen is in sharp, clear contrast. As with the
disc diaphragm, you will need less light on lower
power and more light on higher power. The
following table gives suggested opening sizes for
each power level:
Objective Diaphragm
Opening
4x
From fully closed to 1/8 open
10x
1/8 to 1/4 open
40x
1/4 to 1/2 open
100x
1/2 to 3/4 open
Mechanical Stage
The MI-4100LMS, 4100LDH, 4100LXL, and
4100LBH models have a mechanical stage built-in,
a component that allows precise movement of the
slide on the stage while maintaining relatively good
focus. It is ideal for scanning specimens. The
mechanical stage has three operating components:
the slide clamp arm, the “x” or right/left adjustment
knob and the “y” or front/back adjustment knob.
1.
Move the small lever on top of the stage to
open the curved slide clamp arm.
2.
Carefully place the slide squarely against the
fixed side and back edge of the mechanical
stage. Make sure the slide lies flat on the
microscope stage.
3.
Gently release the small lever allowing the
slide clamp arm to securely hold the specimen
slide in place. Releasing the lever too quickly
may damage slides.
4.
Move the specimen under the objective lens by
turning the adjustment knobs. The front/back
adjustment knob is at the top. It allows precise
movement to the front and back of the stage.
The right/left adjustment knob is at the bottom,
towards the base of the microscope. It allows
precise movement to the right and left of the
stage.
5.
Turn these adjustment knobs without putting
any pressure on the stage. This will allow you
to scan a slide while maintaining fairly good
focus. The integrated mechanical stage has a
70 mm range of motion along the “y” axis and
a 30 mm range of motion along the “x” axis.
Filters
The MI-4100LXL and 4100LBH models come
with a blue filter that can be placed in the filter
holder located below the iris diaphragm. The filter
absorbs some of the light from the illuminator and
makes the light slightly blue. In some cases this
may enhance the image of
your specimen, though
generally it is not necessary.
Use the following procedure
to insert the filter:
1.
Make sure the Abbe
condenser is all the way up.
2.
Locate the tiny filter holder knob underneath
the iris diaphragm. Use this to swing the filter
holder out from under the diaphragm.
3.
Place the filter in the holder and swing back
into place.
4.
Adjust focus and diaphragm normally.
100x Oil Immersion Objective
The MI-4100LXL and 4100LBH model has an
additional 100x objective that provides 1000x
magnification. At this magnification it is important
to reduce light diffraction to enhance the image
quality. This is done by using immersion oil
according to the following steps:
1.
Lower the stage using the
coarse focus knob.
2.
Raise the Abbe Condenser
to the highest position by
turning its lever counter-
clockwise. Open the iris
diaphragm by turning its
lever clockwise.
3.
Place one drop of high quality immersion oil
(our item MI-IMMOIL) on top of the coverslip.
(In some cases, it may be beneficial to place a
drop of oil between the condenser and the
slide also, but this is usually not necessary for
a good image.)
4.
Move the 100x objective lens into position, and
then slowly move the stage up until the lens
makes contact with the oil.
5.
Continue focusing with the coarse knob until
the color or blurred outline of the specimen
appears. Finish focusing with the fine focus
knob.
6.
Adjust the condenser and diaphragm until you
see the specimen in clear, sharp contrast.
7.
When you are done or ready to switch to a
lower objective, clean the oil off the lenses and
slides using lens paper and lens cleaning
solution (instructions are on page 2).
8.
Never leave oil on objectives or slides for
extended periods of time, as it becomes
extremely difficult to remove.
