Olympus microscopes and photomicrographic equipment

Stereo microscopes

Introduction

During the time that the OM system was in production, Olympus produced a number of different trinocular stereo microscopes that are suitable for photomicrography.

X-Tr

Possibly the first was the X-Tr (introduced in 1959), which is very unusual in having 3 separate optical systems, allowing stereo viewing at the same time as photography, and eliminating the oblique camera angle found in other stereo microscopes. The P photo eyepieces should be used with the X-Tr. It is not possible to convert the standard binocular X stereo microscope into the trinocular version.

Olympus information on the X stereo microscope

SZ-III-Tr

The X-Tr was followed by a metal-bodied, zoom microscope, the SZ-III-Tr, for which the FK photo eyepieces should be used. It has a fixed-length, vertical, monocular tube to which the Eyepiece Adapter PM-ADF can be attached. By moving a lever, light passes either through one of the eyepieces for viewing, or through the vertical monocular tube to a camera. One useful accessory was a tilted stage plate holder, which corrected for the off-vertical view through the camera. It is not possible to convert the standard binocular SZ-III stereo microscope into the trinocular version.

Olympus information on the SZ stereo microscope

T28 Macro Twin Flash attached to a stereo microscope, with Olympus OM-2 camera

SZ4045, SZ6045 and SZ1145

The next range included three plastic-bodied zoom microscopes, the SZ4045, SZ6045 and SZ1145, with different magnification and zoom ranges. They can be converted to trinocular versions by unscrewing 2 screws to remove the rear cover and replacing it with the SZ-TRU mirror unit. To this must be added either the SZ-CTV C-mount TV adapter or the SZ-PT photo tube. The Photomicro Adapter L fits on top of the SZ-PT. By moving a lever, light passes either through the right eyepiece for viewing, or through the photo tube to a camera. Ready-built trinocular versions could be purchased, with the designations SZ4045TRPT, SZ6045TRPT and SZ1145TRPT.

The NFK photo eyepieces are matched for these microscopes, and fit into the SZ-PT photo tube. The NFK 1.67× LD 125 eyepiece cannot be used because it is too long.

These microscopes have a 48mm × 0.75mm screw thread intended for attaching supplementary objectives, but with the aid of a 48→49 mm step-up ring the Olympus T10 Ring Flash 1 and T28 Macro Twin Flash 1 can be mounted.

For more information about these microscopes, see the brochure (5.60 MB PDF) and the instructions (3.05 MB PDF)

SZH and SZH10

Contemporary with the SZ4045, SZ6045 and SZ1145 were the modular, research-level SZH (introduced in 1984) and SZH10. These can be converted to trinocular use with the SZH-PT photo tube, which fits between the body and the binocular head, and to which either the Photomicro Adapter L or the SZH-PT35+PM-CAMS can be attached. The NFK photo eyepieces are matched for these microscopes, and fit into the SZH-PT photo tube.

For more information about these microscopes, see the brochure (5.37 MB PDF)

Olympus information on the SZH stereo microscope

SZX7, SZX9 and SZX12

The most recent range includes the modular, research-level SZX7, SZX9 and SZX12 infinity-corrected microscopes. When the SZX-TR30 trinocular head is used, the U-SPT single port tube can be attached on top of it. The U-SPT accepts the matched PE photo eyepieces, and the Photomicro Adapter L can be clamped on top of it.

SZ61TR

This current trinocular model has a fixed C-mount adapter that is suitable for video cameras and for dedicated microscope digital cameras, but not for OM cameras bodies.

Stage plates

All of these microscopes use stage plates and accessories that are nominally 100mm in diameter and are compatible with the Macrophoto Stand VST-1

Instructions

With all microscopes, it is essential to adjust the eyepieces to match your eyesight and eye separation. As an example, instructions for adjusting the eyepieces on the SZ4045 microscope are included in the Olympus SZ3060, SZ4045, SZ4060, SZ6045, SZ1145 Zoom Stereo Microscope instructions.

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Created 15th July 2005   —   Updated 20th March 2020
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Olympus microscopes and photomicrographic equipment

Olympus OM system close-up and macro equipment