The SMZ1000 features a large 10x zoom ratio, extending from 0.8x to 8x. This gives you a total magnification from 4x to 480x, depending on the combination of eyepiece and objective used. The zooming knob features clickstops, eliminating the need to remove your eyes from the eyepiece while changing magnification.

In pursuit of sharper and brighter images, Nikon has developed a series of objectives featuring high NA’s and high resolving power. One objective, the Plan Apo 1x, boasts NA of 0.1 and a resolving power of 300 lines/mm to produce images that are tack-sharp and display optimum contrast with a minimum of flare, right out to the periphery.

We tackled the problems usually associated with stereoscopic microscopes, namely chromatic aberration and distortion in the lens that cause surface irregularities in the image, and solved both to a high degree. Now you can view stereoscopic images that appear undistorted in all their brilliant, true-to-life colors.

The standard binocular eyepiece tube is inclined 20°, allowing you to observe samples without having to lean forward. This reduces fatigue during long hours of operation by reducing strain on your neck, shoulders, and back.

In addition to the standard type, you have the option of using a low eye-level or tilting binocular eyepiece tube. The low eye-level binocular eyepiece tube enables comfortable observation even when using a diascopic stand or when an intermediate tube is inserted. The tilting binocular eyepiece tube allows adjustment of the eyepiece inclination between 0° and 30° and the eye level can be adjusted 157mm (6.2 in) by swinging the eyepieces up 180° as well as tilting them. You can even add eye-level risers to customize your microscope to your height – up to three risers for a total of 75mm.

A beam splitter makes the SMZ1000 compatible with a variety of photographic systems: digital, 35mm, as well as analog or digital video systems.

Nikon developed an epi-fluorescence attachment, model P-FLA2, for stereoscopic microscopes that allows easy observation of living cells under the fluorescence method such as GFP. Switching between the fluorescence method and brightfield method is quick and easy. Four filter blocks can be switched using a slide lever. If you add an optional photo port to this attachment, you can mount a photomicrographic system or a CCTV camera without using a beam splitter. Because 100% of the light is delivered to the photo port, bright images are guaranteed.

The SMZ’s coaxial episcopic illuminator uses a 12V/100W fiber-optics light source – the same light source used in fiber illuminators – to deliver bright illumination over the entire sample surface. The thickness of the 1/4-lambda plate has been reduced, minimizing spherical aberrations in high NA objectives.

Nikon’s exclusive Oblique Coherent Constrast (OCC) Illumination System delivers colorless and transparent samples to be observed in high relief. Refractive index differences can be observed to 1/30 of the wavelength of light.

The C-FMC Focusing Mount C comes with a coaxial coarse/fine-focusing unit that travels smoothly along the optical axis. Its anti-backlash mechanism makes fine adjustment of focus easier and more accurate.

The Diascopic Stands, models C-DSD, C-DSS, and C-BD, each have a built-in power supply in a space-saving design. These stands also feature their own fine focus knob at the front of the streamlined base – in addition to the one at the focusing mount – to easily make critical adjustments of focus, especially during micromanipulation. Furthermore, their stage glass diameter is a generous 180mm (7.1 in), making it possible to view samples in large Petri dishes all the way out to the periphery.

C-DSD Diascopic Stand

The C-DSD Diascopic Stand features condenser lenses that can be switched between low and high magnifications and allow high NA objectives to take advantage of the full potential of their superior resolving power. Furthermore, Nikon developed the Oblique Coherent Contrast (OCC) Illumination system, allowing colorless and transparent samples to be observed in high relief.

C-DSS Diascopic Stand

The standard C-DSS Diascopic Stand has a light source and a power supply built into its simple body. Obtaining optimum contrast is easy by adjusting the angle of the built-in mirror with the knob.

C-BD Diascopic Bright/Darkfield Stand

The C-BD Diascopic Bright/Darkfield Stand uses a seven-sided toroidal mirror to reduce stray light substantially. This stray light would ordinarily cause a decrease in contrast when using short working distance objectives under darkfield diascopic illumination. But with the C-BD stand, the resulting images have a sufficiently high S/B (signal to background) ratio.