Choosing a microscope for any specialist application can be daunting, and there is so much ‘expert’ advice out there on the Internet which allows anyone who wishes, to claim to be an instant ‘expert’. Both the directors of Brunel Microscopes worked for many years in pathology laboratories and are professionally qualified and the reputation of our company is of paramount importance to us. We will only advise you to buy what you need not what we would like to sell you. Microscopes are a bit like motor cars - they all have the same basic construction - 4 wheels, an engine, gear box and steering wheel etc: Your choice of car depends on whether you want to win the next F1 race or go to the supermarket to do the weekly shop. Identifying fish parasites is akin to the supermarket shop in microscopy terms and the instruments that we have listed below are more than able to do the job. . Having said that there are always those that like the look of a Bentley on the drive, and we cater for those as well.
Beginners Tip
You have the choice of one eyepiece (monocular), two (binocular) or three - with one for a camera (trinocular) Some points to think about:
Binocular is more expensive but it does not make the image better however it is more restful on the eyes if you use the microscope a lot
You can also use cameras on the monocular and binocular microscopes - see the accessories page
You can also take images using your mobile phones using our adapter - see the accessories page
The SP21 has 3 standard RMS screw thread objectives x4, x10 and x40 with 2 eyepieces x10 and x20 which gives a magnification range of x40 to x800.
The slide platform is a full mechanical stage that moves the slide by drop down coaxial controls.
The lighting is LED with brightness control and it has a full substage condenser with iris diaphragm. Coarse and fine focus controls. Aluminium case as an extra accessory. Safety stop.
Brunel SP35 Binocular
Prices: Microscope only - £150.00 + vat Microscope + Disease Kit - £179.17 + vat Disease Kit only - £29.17 + vat Aluminium case only - £36.67 + vat
Brunel SP21 Monocular
The SP35 is a binocular microscope with 2 x10, and 2 x20 eyepieces and four objectives x4, x10, x20 and x40 giving an overall magnification range of x40 to x800.
The slide platform is a full mechanical stage that moves the slide by drop down coaxial controls.
The lighting is LED with brightness control and it has a full substage condenser with iris diaphragm. Separate coarse and fine focus controls with a safety stop to protect the slides.
The SP52 is a trinocular microscope with 2 x10 and 2 x20 eyepieces and four objectives x4, x10, x20 and x40 giving an overall magnification range of x40 to x800.
The slide platform is a full mechanical stage that moves the slide by drop down coaxial controls. The lighting is LED with brightness control and it has a full substage condenser with iris diaphragm. Coaxial coarse and fine focus controls with a safety stop to protect the slides. Trinocular tube allows camera to be attached whilst still viewing. Carrying case included.
The SP22D is a monocular microscope with an inbuilt digital camera. The microscope connects by USB lead directly to a computer. Windows 7,8 or 10 (but not suitable for Apple MAC). All leads, software and IT support included. Magnification range of x40 to x800.
The slide platform is a full mechanical stage that moves the slide by drop down coaxial controls. The lighting is LED with brightness control and it has a full substage condenser with iris diaphragm. Separate coarse and fine focus controls with a safety stop to protect the slides.
All the microscopes above have Royal Microscopical Society standard objectives that are corrected for colour aberration - these are called achromatic. Each has a x100 objective available as an accessory.
They don’t have bulbs, they have Light Emitting Diodes (LED) which have a life time guarantee.
Research microscopes have plan achromatic objectives that are also corrected for flatness of field.
Research microscopes also have Kohler lighting which is good for publication standard photographs. For those wanting to take microscopy further or who simply want the best, the SP100 - the ‘Bentley' of the microscope world would be the deluxe answer.
The SP100 is a professional standard trinocular microscope with plan achromatic objectives x4, x10, x40 and x100 (oil immersion) and wide field x10 eyepieces. Magnification range of x40 to x1000. The slide platform is a full mechanical stage that moves the slide by drop down coaxial controls. The Kohler lighting is LED with brightness control and it has a fully adjustable substage condenser with iris diaphragm. Coaxial coarse and fine focus controls with a safety stop to protect the slides. Carrying case included
