There are various methods for selecting the microscope.
It will be divided into 3 steps
<STEP 1> Selection of standard system
First of all, let’s consider 3 points as following (magnification, focal length and display speed)
（１) Magnification:
Digital microscope doesn’t have absolute magnification different from optical microscope. (Please refer to ” microscope magnification“)
Let’s consider how much field of view should be reflected on the monitor.
It will be divided into four main categories:
●Low magnification about 5 to 50 times (68 x 51 mm field of view ~ 7.0 x 5.3 mm field of view)
●Medium magnification about 20 to 140 times (17.5 x 13.2 mm field of view ~ 2.7 x 2.0 mm field of view)
●High magnification 1 40 to 240 times (9.0 x 6.7 mm field of view ~ 1.4 x 1.0 mm field of view)
●Ultra high magnification Maximum magnification: over 1000 times
（２)Focal length
The focal length of the lens is the distance between the lens and the image sensor.
All Shodensha’s microscopes basically uses zoom lens (please refer to “Macro lens and what’s marco zoom lens?”). So, let’s consider of the combination, capacity and suitable distance carefully. However, The magnification is higher and higher, the focal length is shorter. It’s a physically limit.
（３)Display speed
If you would like to observe on machining or production line system, please choose microscope direct with monitor. This microscope will provide a smooth image without time lag. PC is not needed for using this microscope.
Although you can save the images, you must have a PC to read image data. Therefore, if you want to read image date immediately, please choose Video microscope, microscope direct with monitor or HD microscope.
For quality control, USB microscope is the best choice. If you are using USB microscope with PC, the function of microscope will be increased such as: distance measurement, temporary stop, set up the number of snapshots according to the time frame, list all captured images and focal point. You can also save and view captured images on the same computer.
<STEP 2> Selection for the resolution
Please think about the resolution after deciding standard system.
■ There are 3 different microscopes direct with monitor include: video microscope (640×480), microscope direct with pc monitor (1280×1024), Full HD microscope (1920×1080)
■With USB microscope, you have to connect directly to a PC.
There are a few options for USB microscope such as: 1.4MP CCD Microscope, 3MP CMOS Microscope, 5MP CMOS Microsope [Please refer to the differences between CMOS and CCD Camera]
Besides that, USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 is a must for using USB Microscope.
<STEP 3> Selection of lighting
The standard light using for our microscope set is LED Ring Light.
With high magnification microscope, LED ring light or coaxial light can be selected.
In addition, you can also change or add other light types such as dimming, arched light, low angle light (dark field viewing) based on your requirements.
For diagonal observation (refer to “Convenient Tools for Observing Objects Diagonally”), polarized observation (refer to “Understanding Polarized Observation”), and height observation (refer to “Methods for Measuring Height (Z-Axis)“), we will incorporate optical options such as auxiliary lenses, rear converters, filters, and other necessary components based on the actual situation to achieve these functionalities
The above information is basic knowledge on selecting the light for microscope. The suitable options will be provided based on your actual situation. For example: auxiliary lens, converter lens, filters, etc. to perform tilting observations (refer to 「Useful equipment for tilt viewing. object 」), polarization observation (please refer to「 What is polarization observation? 」), observation of height (refer to「 how to measure height? (Z axis) 」)
