Will the Stereo Microscope Fluorescence Adapter Fit my Microscope?

 

The key elements of any fluorescence system are:

  • a light source that produces sufficient energy in the appropriate wavelength range to excite fluorescence in the sample of interest;
  • a barrier filter in the viewing path that blocks reflected excitation light while transmitting the fluorescence emitted by the sample.

NIGHTSEA implements these in different ways for different systems, as detailed in the various product pages on this web site. With a few exceptions the light source is positioned on its own mount and does not directly interface with the microscope. The main variations are in the way the barrier filter is attached or inserted. If none of these solutions works for you please contact us – we have been able to solve many challenges.

 

Standard adapter for stereo microscopes

The standard microscope adapter offered with the Model SFA Stereo Microscope Fluorescence Adapter system mounts to nearly all stereo microscopes of any make, model, and vintage and provides a surface to which the barrier filters attach magnetically. It attaches at the base of the objectives where a ring light would attach. The inside diameter of the Adapter Ring is 67mm and will attach to any diameter down to 47mm.

(Click image for larger view)

Go to the bottom of the page for a list of stereo microscopes that we know the system has been used with.

Some things to watch out for:

  • A cylindrical surface is best for attachment and is usually available. Some microscopes have a conical end and a ring light adapter is recommended and often available from the manufacturer. See the tip on Amscope microscopes below.
  • Some microscopes have LED light sources positioned between the rear of the objective housing and the microscope stand. These could potentially interfere with installment of the adapter ring. Many of these illuminators appear to be removable, but if this is not the case you might want to consider another microscope model. Consult NIGHTSEA with any questions.

 

Oversize adapter for stereo microscopes

For stereo microscopes with a diameter greater than 67mm at the base of the objectives where a ring light would attach we offer an oversize adapter. This fits microscopes up to 85mm diameter. The SFA-XL-AD is a substitute for the standard adapter and should only be selected when it is really needed. This oversize adapter includes the magnets for attaching the barrier filters and provision to attach the standard viewing shield. We know that some of the Leica lenses have a diameter on the order of 80mm. and this adapter also works well with the Labomed Luxeo 6Z.

 

Adapter for Leica EZ4 series

We offer an adapter for the Leica Model EZ4 series of stereo microscopes. Visit the product page for more details.

Tip for Amscope microscopes

Many of the stereo microscopes in the Amscope line have a tapered section at the bottom of the objectives, as in the example below. This is not a good surface for mounting our standard adapter ring. Fortunately, Amscope offers their own inexpensive ring light adapters that screw into the bottom of that taper and provide a suitable cylindrical surface for attaching our standard adapter.

 

Adapters for Keyence digital microscopes

We offer custom adapters for most of the lenses available with the Keyence VHX series of digital microscopes. Visit the product page for more details.

Fluorescent mineral sample imaged with the Keyence + NIGHTSEA systems

Fluorescent mineral sample imaged with the Keyence + NIGHTSEA systems

 

Olympus DSX1000

The diameter at the base of the objective is approximately 44mm, a bit too small for the standard adapter ring.  This is easily solved with longer thumbscrews. If placing an order for an SFA system for this microscope please add -LT (for Long Thumbscrews) to the product number (e.g., SFA-LT-RB for a complete system with the Royal Blue excitation/emission set). There is no extra cost.

Olympus DSX1000

Olympus DSX1000

 

Adapters for Dino-Lite digital microscopes

We supply barrier filters that attach directly to the Dino-Lite series of digital microscopes. Visit the product page for more details.

Detail - Dino-Lite digital microscope and NIGHTSEA barrier filter and excitation source

Detail – Dino-Lite digital microscope and NIGHTSEA barrier filter and excitation source

 

Adapters for Hirox digital microscopes

We offer adapters for some of the lenses available with the Hirox series of digital microscopes. Visit the product page for more details.

Barrier filter installed in HR-2500E lens

 

Stereo microscopes that we know the SFA system has been used with

Below is a partial list of stereo microscopes that we know the system has been used with. If you have any additions please let us know so we can add it to the list to make it easier for others. Please note – if your microscope is not on the list, that does not mean that the SFA adapter will not fit, just that we do not have our own direct knowledge.

  • Brunel
    • BMDZ
  • Fisher
    • Stereomaster Zoom 12-562-1
  • Leica
    • A60
    • M3C
    • M50
    • M80
    • M205
    • MS5
    • MZ6
    • MZ8
    • MZ12
    • MZ16
    • S-APO
    • S4
    • S6E
    • S7E
    • S8
    • S9
    • S9E
    • S9i
  • Meiji
    • EMZ
  • Motic
    • SMZ168
    • SMZ171
  • Nikon
    • SMZ-1B
    • SMZ-2B
    • SMZ-2T
    • SMZ-10A
    • SMZ445
    • SMZ645
    • SMZ745
    • SMZ660
    • SMZ800
    • SMZ1000
    • SMZ1500
  • Olympus
    • SZ40
    • SZ51
    • SZ61
    • SZX7
    • SZX10
    • SZX12
    • SZX16
  • VWR
    • Vistavision
  • Wild
    • M5A
  • Zeiss
    • Discovery V8
    • Stemi 305
    • Stemi 508
    • Stemi 1000
    • Stemi 2000
    • SV6
    • SV11