Olympus OM system close-up and macro equipment
Compound microscopes
During the time that the OM system was in production (1972–2003), Olympus produced 4 different ranges of compound microscopes.
E and F microscopes
The first range included the E and F research microscopes, introduced in 1958 and 1960 respectively, which used objectives designed for a parfocal distance of 36.65 mm and a tube length of 160 mm, and for which the FK photo eyepieces are matched. The biological models included:
- EHT – separate coarse and fine focusing knobs, fine focusing graduated at 2μm intervals, right-hand vertical controls for the mechanical stage, 6V 30W lamp (8-C101, TB-1)
- FHT – coaxial coarse and fine focusing knobs, fine focusing graduated at 1μm intervals, left- and right-hand horizontal controls for the mechanical stage, 6V 30W lamp (8-C101, TB-1)
Olympus information on the E and F microscopes
AH (Vanox) and BH microscopes
The second range included the AH (Vanox) research microscope (introduced 1972), BH clinical micoscope (introduced 1974) and CH student microscopes (introduced 1976), which used objectives designed for a parfocal distance of 36.65 mm and a tube length of 160 mm, and for which the FK photo eyepieces are matched. The BH biological models were:
- BHA – interchangeable nosepiece, 6V 30W lamp (8-C102, LS 30)
- BHB – fixed nosepiece, 6V 30W lamp (8-C102, LS 30)
- BHC – fixed nosepiece, 6V 15W lamp (8-C103, LS 15)
- IM – inverted microscope, 6V 30W lamp (8-C102, LS 30)
Olympus information on the AH and BH microscopes
AH-2 (Vanox) and BH-2 microscopes
The third range included the AH-2 (Vanox) research microscope (introduced 1983), BH-2 clinical micoscope (introduced 1980) and CH-2 student micoscope, which used objectives with a parfocal distance of 45 mm and a tube length of 160 mm, and for which the NFK photo eyepieces are matched. The BH-2 biological models were:
- BHS – wide base, interchangeable nosepiece, 12V 100W lamp (8-C406)
- BHT – standard base, interchangeable nosepiece, 6V 20W lamp (8-C405)
- BHTU – standard base, fixed nosepiece, 6V 20W lamp (8-C405)
- CK2 – inverted microscope, 6V 20W lamp (8-C405)
Olympus information on the BH-2 and AH-2 microscopes
BX microscopes
The fourth range includes the current BX models, which use infinity-corrected objectives, and for which the PE photo eyepieces are matched.
Manuals and instructions
With all microscopes, it is essential to adjust the eyepieces to match your eyesight and eye separation, and to adjust the condenser and other parts of the lighting system for optimum illumination for a particular objective. Manuals for some older Olympus microscopes can be downloaded on this site:
Manuals for BX and other current Olympus microscopes and accessories can be downloaded from Olympus:
Replacement bulbs and lamps
Searching Google or other search engines for the word “Olympus” and the bulb reference will find several suppliers, but they all seem to be in the USA.
The following companies in the United Kingdom can supply bulbs for old Olympus microscopes:
Send comments or questions to Alan Wood
Created 8th April 2005 — Updated 5th June 2009
Copyright © 2005–2009 Alan Wood