Nikon’s Museum of Microscopy

Model SMZ-800 Stereomicroscope

( Circa late 1990s )

The SMZ-800 model stereoscopic microscope, available since the late 1990s, is equipped with several ergonomic features that can reduce fatigue when spending hours observing through the microscope.

Model SMZ-800 Microscope

The eyepiece tube is inclined at an angle of 20 degrees, instead of the normal 45 degrees, and can be adjusted from 0 to 30 degrees. This enables the user to make observations with a straight back, without having to bend over. A newly designed ergonomic objective can be extended or retracted up to 40 millimeters (1.6") to obtain the optimum user eye-level without changing the magnification or working distance. An eye-level riser is also available.

The high-eyepoint eyepieces feature a built-in diopter adjustment, which brings the image and the reticle into focus simultaneously. The SMZ-800 incorporates the same parallel-optics zoom system as the SMZ-U, Nikon's highest quality stereoscopic zoom microscope, to provide a 6.3x zoom ratio. The zooming knob also features click-stops at 1x intervals from 2x to 5x. Like the SMZ-U, SMZ-800 ensures images with minimal curvature of field.

The stage glass in the diascopic stand has been enlarged so that specimens in large Petri dishes can be viewed up to the periphery of the dish. A new plain focusing stand is also available in addition to the SMZ-U stands and teaching head stands. Three focusing mounts and three types of universal table stands are also available. By using a beam splitter and adapter, FX-III or U-III series photomicrographic systems, a closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera, or a digital still camera can be attached.

The current successor to the SMZ800 is the SMZ800N stereomicroscope.



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