It is established fact that microscopes have so many uses in many different industries and, so often, the accessories that go with this device go unnoticed.  The excitement of using your very first microscope could be more mentally and visually stimulating when the right accessories are used to prepare and study varying species of plants or animals.  There are many microscope accessories or items that make studies and observations much more meaningful.  Most of them enhance the scrutiny of the specimen or subject while some are there to make the study much more exciting.

Microscope accessories can be categorized by age level.  At least that is one way of categorizing them.  Some ‘kits’ are for grade levels while some are to be used by scientists and other professionals.  There are online stores that sell these accessories and, mind you, they are really numerous, so read on:

Basic microscope accessories, to name a few, are carrying cases, video adapters, microscope stages (mechanical), and books that contain step-by-step guides to studies and experiments.  Most online shops and physical shops, as well, sell these accessories by ‘kits’.  A certain kit could contain numerous accessories that target a specific purpose.  For instance, there are cleaning supplies for the microscope, kits for making slides, chemical kits, or a microscope accessory set which includes books pertaining to microscopy.

A slide-making kit could contain the following: glass slides, 2 concave glass slides, slide cover slips, methylene blue (which is used in staining cell parts that are acidic), storage box for the slides, eosin Y (used to stain cell parts that are alkaline), a dropper (or it could also be a pippet), fluids used to mount slides, and an instruction booklet.  This entire kit teaches an individual to place his own specimen on a glass slide.  For people who would not want to risk a mistake, there are prepared slides to purchase.  These slides have been made ready (some are stained for better observations).  There are also slides with live microorganisms, the so-called anatomy slides, slides that contain fungi or plant species, agar and Petri dishes, and lastly, the animal slides.  The fluid used in mounting slides, for instance, could be useful in making the protozoa stable and quiet—ready to be observed!  The mention of fluids brings to mind the use of immersion oils.  Most of these oils are synthetically-made.

The cleaning kit (as its name implies, is used to clean eyepieces, lenses, and objectives) usually includes the following: blower brush, lens paper (lint-free), cleaning fluid for the lenses, lens cloth (soft), swabs (also lint-free).  Aside from being used to clean lenses, this kit can also be used for cameras, binoculars and telescopes.

Camera systems are now considered as an optional microscope accessory.  These are being used to take photomicrographs.  A camera system usually has sub-parts such as a beam splitter (telescopic eyepiece is being focused), and a reticle.  Reticles are used to
measure subjects or specimens in precision; Projection lenses are used to make images on flat fields (which is essential in photomicrography).  These should be corrected to sustain the flat-field picture.  It is also generally color-corrected.

Eyepieces are also being used in photomicrography; on the other hand, it is mainly used as an indicator inside the eyepiece.  This is used to point out significant characteristics of a specimen.  Most modern microscopes now have improved objectives where the images appear to have less curving of field as compared to past objectives. There are also eyepieces that now enlarge the viewable spot for up to 40%.  It is also imperative that the eyepiece and the objective go well together.  One should be purchased alongside the other to ascertain that they complement each others’ features.  For example, plain eyepieces could appear to have bluish rings around the edges when illuminated.

And, of course, do not forget the microscope cover which is essential in keeping the dust away from this equipment.  It is advisable that vinyl be the material used for the cover.  Usually, one size fits all types of microscopes.  If you are not satisfied of merely covering the microscope, there are also highly durable microscope cases.

Other accessories could include blotting papers, double blades that are made of stainless steel, Spatula (resin-coated), micro spoon, forceps, stirring rod, condenser, knife spatula, bulbs, light illuminator.  All, if you would notice can be found in your chemistry or biology lab.  And yet, these accessories do not complete the list.  There are other accessories but this basically covers what the essentials are.  ‘Aching to go to the lab now? Here is a link to the article