Setup
Note: If you purchased a 1420BR, 1421BR, 1430BR or a 1431BR this step completes the setup. Skip ahead to page
11, “Using Your 1400 Series Microscope.” If you purchased a 1423PH or a 1433PH, continue on to the next page,
“Aligning the Phase Contrast Annulus Rings.”
9
1400BR Brightfield Models
Centering the Condenser
NOTE: For the 1400PH’s please disregard the condenser centering instructions; these models only require phase
ring alignment, as described on the following page.
Adjustments to the substage condensing system are crucial for proper illumination and performance. There
are three basic adjustments which need to be made: Centering, Vertical Focusing, and Aperture Adjustment.
Centering
: The
condenser
must be centered in the light path to ensure proper light control. A simple method
for centering is as follows:
Rotate the
nosepiece
until the 10X
objective
is in the light path.
Raise the substage assembly fully by turning the substage adjustment knob counter-clockwise.
Open the
aperature iris diaphragm
to the largest setting by using the
aperature iris diaphragm adjustment
lever which extends from the
condenser
assembly.
While looking into the microscope eyepieces, close the
field iris diaphragm
to the smallest setting by turning
the uppermost section of the
substage illuminator
counter-clockwise.
Closing the iris in this manner will reduce the field so that a small white hexagon is visible within a black
field (see figure 8A). Focusing of the hexagon is performed by turning the
coarse/fine focus controls
. This white
hexagon is the light whichis passing through the field iris and should be centered in the black field. If not, move
it to the center (see figure 8B) by tightening and/or loosening the
condenser centering knobs
.
Fine tuning can be done by opening the
field iris diaphragm
until the white hexagon almost fills the entire
field (see figure 8C), and then readjusting (see figure 8D). After centering the condenser open the field iris dia
-
phragm slightly wider than the field of view.
Vertical Focusing
: The
condenser
can be raised and lowered with the
substage adjustment
knob to focus
the light for optimal illumination.
Aperture Adjustment
: The light path can be adjusted with the
aperature iris diaphragm adjustment
lever
located just below the condenser. Aperture adjustments are made to induce contrast into a specimen, not to
adjust light intensity.
1
2
4
3
Figure 8A
Figure 8B
Figure 8C
Figure 8D
