New Brunel BMSZ trinocular stereomicroscope

After trying to repair the Oculus Rift cable earlier this month we decided it was time to replace our old stereo microscope with a new trinocular stereo microscope so we can take better photos of the things we are working on as well as record video.

We looked at a lot of different microscope models and decided to buy a Brunel BMSZ trinocular stereomicroscope from www.brunelmicroscopes.co.uk

The new microscope has a full zoom trinocular stereo head with a magnification range of x7.5 to x45 with the x10 widefield eyepieces which are supplied. Higher magnification eyepieces are also available.

We also purchased a LED ring light and SLR camera adapter kit so we can use our Canon DSLR cameras with the microscope.

BMSZ Trinocular Stereomicroscope + Plain stand £434.17

BMS Universal SLR adapter system £133.33

BMS LED Ringlight £119.17

Total: £686.67

VAT (tax): £139.00

Postage: £8.33

Total: £834.00

When we placed the order we assumed the microscope base would be the same as the one on the supplier's website but the base which arrived was much wider and this means that we have to find a new home for the microscope when not in use as it takes up more space than we had used for our old model.

The microscope and accessories arrived in a very large box and it was filled with shredded paper which filled three rubbish sacks before we found the microscopes polystyrene box and the base which was wrapped in plastic and a small cardboard box which contained the LED ring light with its controller and mains power plug.

The microscope was supplied disassembled and had to be assembled onto the base and attach the mounting bracket, the microscope body and installing the eyepieces.

Brunel Microscopes sent me assembly instructions via email as none are supplied in the box, but it was very easy to assemble and get working.

The led ring light has a small power adapter which plugs into a control box and this has an output socket which the ring light assembly plugs into. The light level has adjustable brightness and seems to give a good light output when using the microscope with the eyepieces and for photography.

When installing the eyepieces we found they are fairly loose in the scope body and when using the scope I found that my nose would make the eyepieces move to one side affecting the image. There are two very small threaded holes on the side of the eyepiece holes and after measuring these we found they are 1.6mm threaded and so we fitted two small screws to secure the eyepieces, solving the movement problems.

The SLR camera adapter installs into the top of the scope body and has a sliding section which is held still using a knurled nut which controls the focus distance for the camera. On top of this, the camera adapter is installed by sliding it into the adjustable tube. The camera adapter is a loose fit and easily rotates and rocks from side to side which makes taking stacked focus photos difficult as the camera moves between photos. I contacted Brunel Microscopes regarding this and they sent a clamp and the screws for the eyepieces the following day free of charge.

Below are photos taken through the microscope using a Canon EOS 5D Mk 4.