Before you buy a microscope, you should be aware of what kind you will need. It helps to be an informed customer rather than step into the shop completely clueless. If you’re unlucky, the salesperson might take advantage of your naivete. It helps to know the reputable microscope brands out there, as well as the popular models – for your own good

What are the two kinds of microscopes?
There are two basic kinds of microscopes. There is the low power microscope then there is the high power microscope. The low power microscopes are often used when observing large specimens such as fabric weaves, stamps, sand grains, coins and insects. Whereas high power microscopes are used when observing those minute specimen such as pond water life, insects, cells, blood and bacteria.

Did you know that high power microscopes are popular?
Children and hobbyists love using high power microscopes for the very reason that they can truly see those invisible things that the naked eye normally won’t be able to see. Can you imagine seeing what goes on your blood cells and the activities inside an amoeba or a bacterium?

If you are buying a microscope for your child, get the kind that has slides and supporting accessories in order for him or her to enjoy the microscope more. Do not get those plastic microscopes because these will only be a waster of your money. The only time you should get those plastic kinds is when you are buying for a toddler. If you think that your child is mature enough and is into microscopy, then you can get him or her those real microscopes with glass optics and metal frames. They are rarely found in stores though.

High power microscopes reach an objective up to 1000x and they have built in illuminating lights that could highlight the specimen on the stage. If you wish to get high power microscopes that have light passing through the specimen, then we suggest that you get those that come with models that you can attach to a PC or TV. This will make viewing the image easier.

However, bear in mind that there are some applications that already finds 400x sufficient in order to view the specimen in the best way. Take for example a coin. If you use that 1000x magnification, the only thing you will see are black circles set on a white backdrop.

We suggest that you get the high power microscopes that have the best built in light source. If you can get one with a mirror, then you are lucky because models that have these additional features are often not sold in the market.

The best economy models of microscopes are made in China. If you want to get the best kind, then get those brands from United States, Germany of Japan. These are very good high power microscopes. There are some that come from China but are built with strong materials. The brand is also important when purchasing high power microscopes. The best brands are Nikon and Olympus.

High power microscopes serve a large clientele which include laboratories, clinics, universities and schools. Not to mention biology laboratories, homes and research labs. In fact, there are also some industries that use high power microscopes such as the jewelers and metal workers. Watch repairers and circuit board engineers also resort to the technology of high power microscopes in order to see the inner workings of the products in order for them to fix it.

Use high power microscopes is you want to observe biological specimens. By preparing the microscope slides, there are quick methods for learning the basics of biology. High power microscopes also introduce the scientist on how to use the contraption.

High power microscopes often come with slides that are appropriate for tissue or living specimens. These are best viewed under optional phase kits of contrast in order to see the subject better. The phase contrast microscopy of high power microscopes depend on the viewing technique of the user, as well as the shift of the light wave, the intensity and the contrast.

One can view dry blood specimens for purposes of learning using the high power microscopes. Live blood can be viewed by using the darkfield illumination or the optional darkfield condenser, it depends on what image the user wants to obtain.

High power microscopes come with two eyepieces. These are called binocular compound microscopes. Usually, high power microscopes have trinocular photography in order for the images to be transmitted to a system.