SMZ1270/SMZ1270i and SMZ800N Stereo Microscopes

Nikon Metrology announces the release of SMZ1270, a stereo microscope with the largest zoom ratio in its class, SMZ1270i, a version of SMZ1270 with intelligent features, and SMZ800N with enhanced optics and operability.

With their newly redesigned optics and advanced features, these new stereo microscopes provide incredible optical performance and enhanced operability, enabling researchers to carry out high-magnification, large-zoom-ratio and high-definition imaging with ease. The clarity of the images and improved ease of use will benefit researchers in a variety of fields, from medical to industrial. Stereo microscopes have independent optical trains for the right and left eye paths, and thus naturally extend intrinsic stereoscopic viewing capability. These new models are for use in a variety of fields, including medicine, biology and industry. Industrial use of these instruments includes research, development and quality control of products. In these fields, stereo microscopes are required to provide advanced optical performance, such as high-magnification imaging and large fields of view, as well as ease of use.

The SMZ1270/SMZ1270i model features newly developed optics that provides clear images, a large zoom ratio and advanced functionality. Nikon has also developed the SMZ800N, an economical model also featuring improved operability performance.

Newly developed WF series objectives1 with dramatically improved chromatic aberration correction ensures bright images without color fringes throughout the entire field of view. In addition, apochromatic and semi-apochromatic optics are available for the SMZ1270/1270i and SMZ800N zoom bodies, respectively, resulting in sharp and high-contrast images throughout the whole zoom range. Optional for the SMZ800N.

Large zoom range enables seamless viewing from sub-structures to whole specimens These models are equipped with newly developed zoom optical systems. The SMZ1270 and SMZ1270i offer the highest-in-class zoom ratio of 12.7x (0.63 — 8x). Their low-magnification capability enables observation of a whole 35mm dish in a single field of view.

The large zoom range enables seamless viewing, from minute cellular structures to large biological specimens. The SMZ800N comes with an 8x (1 — 8x) zoom ratio, with magnification levels higher than those offered by conventional models. It is a powerful tool in the field of electronics, where high-precision imaging is required.

Mounting two objectives on the optional P-RN2 Nosepiece enables easy objective changeover and seamless observation over a wide magnification range. The optional eyepiece tubes with different inclination angles offer observation with natural posture, even when mounting illumination units and teaching heads for simultaneous dual observation.

The new stereo microscopes are configurable with an optional LED Diascopic Illumination Stand equipped with an oblique coherent contrast (OCC) illumination system5. OCC is a contrast generating system used in Nikon's advanced Research Stereo Microscope models SMZ25 and SMZ18. The contrast generated by OCC illumination significantly improves observation of fine features present in many biological and industrial samples, such as eggs and embryos, plastic/glass materials and transparent electrodes.

A range of accessories, including illumination units, stands, tubes and digital cameras, can flexibly combine with the new stereo microscopes to meet the needs of the individual user and to accommodate various applications in the medical, biological and industrial fields.

The SMZ1270i is equipped with an intelligent zoom mechanism that enables automatic detection of the zoom level through either the Camera Control Unit DS-L3 or Nikon's imaging software NIS-Elements. When combined with the optional P-RNI2 Intelligent Nosepiece, both the objective lens magnification and variable zoom levels are detected by the DS-L3 unit or NIS-Elements to provide automatic calibration updates for accurate measurements of samples.