Wild

Wild stereomicroscopes are known internationally for their Swiss made quality and precision in both mechanics and optical quality. The M5 was made from 1959 until 1989 when Wild merged with Leitz and the brand name Leica emerged. This example is the M5A and dates from the much later part of that period as can be seen from the livery finish. Like almost all of the Wild stereomicroscopes it is not a zoom but features four discrete magnifications of x6, x12, x25 and x50 with each magnification being double the power of the previous. This means that when the knurled magnification changer is rotated then separate pairs of objective lenses are rotated into the optical path and no matter how good a zoom mechanism is the Wild M5A structure does produce some excellent quality images. The left and right optical paths had a greater separation than other scopes which Wild claimed would produce an enhanced stereo effect. Whether or not this is true takes nothing from the fact that Wild stereomicroscopes set the standard for others to follow. The stand is a simple pole stand without illumination. Not many of these in good working order are about these days.

The Wild M20 is one of the iconic compound microscopes with an excellent laboratory pedigree - particularly within the NHS laboratory service through the 1960's to the 80's. I can say from personal experience that this reputation is well founded. This is an oil dark ground condenser that dates from the part number to the later stages of the M20 production. It has lateral adjusters for centring and is in excellent condition.

Individual Wild objectives that have become separated from their parent microscope are difficult to come by these days. This is one of the best of them. A Fluotar HI x100 phase contrast objective (RMS screw thread and 160mm tube length) with a numerical aperture of 1.30. Good condition.

This probably belongs in the Vintage or Collectable's section of this web site. To say that this is a rare microscope is an understatement. There were not a large number of these made and to find one that is fully functional and all original is rare indeed. As would be expected there are a few small marks on the enamel of the stand. Taken from the top downwards, the halogen (6v 20watt) is in a unit that can be moved up and down the 'pole' stand and has a focusing and centring mechanism. Beneath this is the condenser system that has a focusing height mechanism and a full Zernike phase contrast condenser.

The large stage has a very long drop-down coaxial control mechanism that is 'jointed' to prevent damage which is a very clever mechanism.

Beneath the stage is the turret with Wild objectives x10, x10 phase, x20, x20 phase, x40 and x40 phase. The eyepieces are x10 Wild. There is a side arm from the binocular head that allows the attachment of a camera with a control mechanism that allows all the light to the binocular head, or the trinocular tube or shared between both. There are separate coarse and fine focus controls. The only thing that is not the original is the transformer box that controls the lighting and this is simply because of electrical regulations that now apply.

This is a microscope that is as much to do with looking at as it is with looking down but its general condition means that you can do both!

The Wild M20 is one of the iconic compound microscopes with an excellent laboratory pedigree - particularly within the NHS laboratory service through the 1960's to the 80's. I can say from personal experience that this reputation is well founded. This is an oil dark ground condenser. It has lateral adjusters for centring and is in excellent condition.