Dual view microscopes are special types of microscopes that allows users to connect a digital camera to one of the that are ports especially designed for such purpose. To properly use a dual view microscope, follow the tips as contained in the article below.

Simply defined, dual view microscopes are special types of microscopes that have an additional vertical port for viewing purposes. The said port can be used by another person or it can be used to attach a digital camera or a video system to.

Here are the ways on how to use a dual view microscope:

1. Clear the table on which your microscope will be placed on. Even before taking out the dual view microscope from the cabinet, make sure that the table it is going to be placed on is clear of any obtrusive items. Carry the microscope with one hand on the arm of the microscope and the other on its base. Carry the microscope very close to your body in order to protect it from bumping with other structures.

2. Plug the dual view microscope to the appropriate power source. Make sure that your microscope runs on 110 volts power just like your outlet. Else, use an adapter or a transformer when necessary. Connect the power cord and make sure that it doesn’t dangle over the edges of the table. If anything gets caught in the wire, the microscope may fall down and worse, be broken beyond repair.

3. Calibrate the microscope properly. Start the focusing the microscope using the low power objectives first. Use the 10x objective lens with a 10x eyepiece. This will give you a total magnification power of 100x. Place your specimen on the center of the stage of the microscope. Make sure that it is also on the center of the circular glass found on the stage. Putting it there ensures that the specimen is directly over the light of the microscope. You will also see the sample easily as you view it through the eyepiece.

Don’t look through the lenses with your eyeglasses on. You should also close the other eye when viewing the sample. A dual view microscope may have a pointer and it may appear like a dark line through the eyepiece. Turn the eyepiece accordingly until the line goes out of view. This dark line is used only if you there is something you want to point out on the specimen you are viewing to your teacher or laboratory partner.

4. Connect the camera. If the dual view microscope is going to be used with a digital camera, then simply connect the adaptor as per instruction. Check the manual on how you are to do it properly. Most of the time, the only camera compatible with the dual view port is a CCD camera. The CCD camera in turn, can be connected to a CCTV monitor. But then again, the most compatible camera device and the respective video output system is usually dependent upon the type of adapter used.

5. Lock the camera in place. If the dual view port of the microscope will be used solely by the camera and not another person, it is best that the camera be locked in place. Doing so will ensure that there will be no need for the user to install the camera every time the dual view microscope is going to be used.

6. Connect the camera to a compatible video output system. Once the camera is well installed in place, proceed to connect a monitor that can process the produced image of the specimen being viewed, more preferably in the same resolution as the camera system. Should there be a need to store the said images, a recording device should be connected to it as well. This could either be a personal computer, a laptop, or an external recording device.

7. Use the microscope as necessary. After all the configurations have been set and done, just use the microscope as you intend to use it. You can simply use the regular eye pieces to view the specimen under observation. Or you can directly view it from the monitor attached to the dual view microscope.

These are the steps on how you can properly use a dual view microscope. Beginners could simply follow these and start using their microscopes in just a few minutes. But more importantly, read the microscope’s manual. Doing so would ensure smooth operation every time.