When moving your microscope, always carry it with both hands (Figure 1,
Grasp the arm with one hand and place the other hand under the base for
2. Turn the revolving nosepiece so that
the lowest power objective lens is "clicked" into position
(This is also the shortest objective lens).
3. Your microscope slide should be
prepared with a coverslip or cover glass over the specimen. This
will help protect the objective lenses if they touch the slide. Place the microscope slide on the
stage and fasten it with the stage clips. You can push down on the
back end of the stage clip to open it.
4. Look at the objective lens and the
stage from the side (Figure 2) and turn the coarse focus knob so that
the objective lens moves downward (or the stage, if it moves, goes
upward). Move it as far as it will go without touching the
5. Now, look through the eyepiece and adjust
the illuminator (or mirror) and diaphragm (Figure 3) for the greatest
amount of light.
6. Slowly turn the coarse adjustment so
that the objective lens goes up (away from the slide). Continue
until the image comes into focus. Use the fine adjustment, if available,
for fine focusing. If you have a microscope with a moving stage,
then turn the coarse knob so the stage moves downward or away from the
7. Move the microscope slide around so
that the image is in the center of the field of view and readjust the
mirror, illuminator or diaphragm for the clearest image.
8. Now, you should be able to change to the
next objective lenses with only minimal use of the focusing adjustment. Use the fine
adjustment, if available. If you cannot focus on your specimen, repeat
steps 4 through 7 with the higher power objective lens in place. Do
not allow the objective lens to touch the slide!
9. The proper way to use a monocular
microscope is to look through the eyepiece with one eye and keep the
other eye open (this helps avoid eye strain). If you have to close one
eye when looking into the microscope, it's ok. Remember,
everything is upside down and backwards. When you move the slide to the
right, the image goes to the left!
10. Do not touch the glass part of the
lenses with your fingers. Use only special lens paper to clean the
11. When finished, raise the tube (or
lower the stage), click
the low power lens into position and remove the slide.
12. Always keep your microscope
covered when not in use. Dust is the number 1 enemy!
Remember, microscopes are expensive
scientific instruments. Handle them properly and carefully and they will
last for many years!