Olympus

The first thing to say about this example of an Olympus classic microscope is that the surface of the stage is very worn, so much so that there is a picture of it below the microscope so that you can be very clear about its condition. This microscope was the work horse of a pathology haematology laboratory this is why it has an excellent x50 oil immersion lens as stained blood smears are examined for pathology with such a relatively unusual lens. The loss of the anodised surface has simply been caused by the constant off/on of slides on its surface. BH2 microscopes are as strong as the 'proverbial ox' and were built to take this level of use and it would be an optical sin to retire it because of the stage surface so we offer it at a really exceptional price.

Make no mistake, its optical performance is excellent. It has five objectives D Plan x4 (0.10), D Plan x10 (0.25), S Plan x20 (0.46), D Plan oil immersion x50 with iris diaphragm and x100 oil immersion (1.25). The trinocular head has x10 wide field plan eyepieces that are also suitable for spectacle wearers. There is a three-way lever that adjusts prisms in the head to allow all the light to the eyepieces, the trinocular tube or shared between the two.

The external light box houses a 12 volt 100 watt lamp and the brightness control is on one side of the base with a running light indicator on the front of the base. The illumination system is a full Kohler system

The BX40 series was launched in 1993, used a novel Y-shaped design for the microscope body. The series featured superior operability, excellent rigidity, and first-class optical performance. A wide range of accessories was also available to expand the range of possible observations. Olympus succeeded in providing the optimal viewing environment. While developing UIS objective lenses, Olympus worked on designing a Y-shaped microscope body to further evolve the AH2, BH2, and CH2 series with excellent optics and a system versatility.

The halogen illumination is 6 volt 30 watt and is controlled by levers on the right hand side of the stand with a brightness slider and also a preset button to optimise lighting for any preferred setting. The illumination system is of course Kohler. The good size stage has drop down coaxial controls and has X Y movement via a unique system there is a slight catch from front to back on this unit but it is minimal. The objectives are the original Olympus x4, x10 and x40 that have been added to with new plan x20 and x100 oil immersion lenses.

This unit has the ergonomic head which allows its operating angle to be set to suit the individual. It has x10 wide field eyepieces that are also suitable for spectacle wearers. A small point but it does show how this microscope was looked after - it still has its original Olympus Allen key. A fine microscope by any standard.

Drawing attachments are hard to come by these days. This is the BH2-DA that fits the Olympus BH, CH and AHB microscopes. It is used to visually superimpose the image of a specimen over the surface image of a drawing paper placed beside the microscope so that the specimen image can be traced on the paper. The Model BH2-DA permits drawing in a bright room without any more light intensity than required by ordinary microscopy. It contains a photoeyepiece NFK5X and has three setting positions (A, B, C) to suit which of the three microscope model types listed above is being used. Condition very good.

This is an Olympus microscope condenser with a potential numerical aperture of 1.25 with a dovetail fitting that will fit the Olympus BH and BX microscopes. Integral iris diaphragm and in very good condition.

This is a phase contrast Zernike condenser that will fit the BH and BX Olympus microscopes. It has a bright field position with phase rings for x10, x20, x40 and x100 objectives, with the usual ring lateral adjustment mechanism. Condition excellent.

This is set of NEA series objectives in good condition. X4 (0.10), x10 (0.25), x40 (0.65) and x100 oil immersion (1.25). Din standard with standard RMS screw threads. Corrected for 160mm tube length and coverslip thickness 0.17mm.