Various kinds of illuminators such as a Plastic Fiber-Optic Ring Illuminator, Plastic Fiber-Optic Bifurcated Illuminator, 6V-10W/20W Halogen Illuminator, or a Fluorescent Ring Illuminator are available to meet requirements for reflected external illumination.

Depending on the combination of eyepieces and objective chosen, the SMZ1500 provides a total magnification range from 3.75x to 540x. This allows you to select the best magnification to match your application, extending from the macro to the micro range.

The low eye-level binocular eyepiece tube enables comfortable observation even when using a diascopic stand or when an intermediate tube is inserted.

The tilting binocular eyepiece tube allows continuous adjustment of the eyepiece inclination from 0° to 30°. You can also adjust the eye level a maximum of 157mm (6.2") by swinging the eyepieces up 180° and tilting them.

The C-PS160 Plain Stand features a low profile for easy handling of samples. Also, its stage plate is 180mm (7.1 in) wide, while the distance between the optical axis and the pillar is 160mm (6.3 in). In addition to this large clearance, the base has a wide front and smooth curves, so you can comfortably rest your arms while working.

The SMZ1500 comes with a coaxial coarse/fine focusing unit that travels smoothly along the optical axis. Its new anti-backlash mechanism makes fine adjustments of focus easier and more accurate. A built-in counterbalance ensures easy movements even when a weighty attachment such as a photomicrographic system is mounted. Furthermore, the focus knob is soft to the touch and located in a comfortable, low position.

The high-end C-DSD Diascopic Stand features condenser lenses that can be switched between low and high magnifications and allows high NA objectives to take advantage of the full potential of their superior resolving power. Furthermore, to answer user requests for high-contrast illumination, Nikon developed the Oblique Coherent Contrast (OCC) Illumination system, allowing colorless and transparent samples to be observed in high relief.

The C-BD Diascopic Bright/Darkfield Stand uses a seven-sided toroidal mirror to substantially reduce stray light. The stray light would ordinarily decrease contrast when using short-working distance objectives under darkfield diascopic illumination. But with the C-BD stand, the resulting images have a sufficiently high S/B (signal to background) ratio.

Nikon's approach to reducing chromatic aberration extends from just the right choice of optical glass to the optical design itself, resulting in a high degree of correction for axial and lateral chromatic aberrations. Although reducing chromatic aberrations and eliminating distortion were traditionally thought to be extremely difficult, Nikon has succeeded brilliantly, producing stereoscopic images with true-to-life colors.

(left) Image where chromatic aberration has been corrected in the SMZ1500
(right) Image with chromatic aberration.

The culmination of Nikon's leading-edge optical technologies, the SMZ1500 features the world's largest zoom ratio of 15x covering a range from 0.75x to 11.25x. This extraordinary range makes changing lenses unnecessary, allowing you to concentrate on observations.

Comparison of view fields by zoom ratio and magnification

The SMZ's Diascopic Stands, models C-DSD, C-DSS, and C-BD, each have a built-in power supply in a space-saving design. These stands also feature their own fine focus knob at the front of the streamlined base — in addition to the one at the focusing mount — to easily make critical adjustments of focus, especially during micromanipulation. Furthermore, their stage glass diameter is a generous 180mm (7.1"), making it possible to view samples in large Petri dishes all the way out to the periphery.

Nikon developed a new epi-fluorescence attachment, model P-FLA2, that allows easy observation of living cells under fluorescence methods such as GFP. Switching between fluorescence techniques and transmitted illumination is quick and easy. Up to four filter blocks can be mounted for rapid switching of fluorescence techniques (three dummy cubes for transmitted light are included to cut off the epi-fluorescence illumination when transmitted light only is required). If you add an optional photo port, you can mount a photomicrographic system or a CCTV camera without using a beam splitter. Because 100% of the light is delivered to the photo port, bright images are guaranteed.

The standard C-DSS Diascopic Stand has a light source and a power supply built into its simple body. Obtaining optimum contrast is easy by adjusting the angle of the built-in mirror with the knob.

This illuminator, model P-ICI2, uses a 12V/100W fiber-optic light source — the same light source used in fiber illuminators — to deliver bright illumination over the entire sample surface. The thickness of the 1/4 plate has been reduced, minimizing spherical aberrations in high NA objectives.

The P-IBSD Beam Splitter D has two ports allowing one photomicrographic system and one CCTV camera to be mounted at the same time. The light to the rear port can be switched between 0%, 50%, or 100%, and the light to the side port is switchable between 0% or 50%.

With the P-IBSS Beam Splitter S (single photoport), the light to the side port is switchable between 0% or 50%.

Producing images that cause less strain on your eyes was one goal of Nikon's ergonomic design. We tackled the problems usually associated with stereoscopic microscopes, such as surface irregularities and the apparent bulging of objects, and solved these to a high degree by minimizing the distortion in these lenses. Now you can view stereoscopic images that appear natural-looking right out to the periphery.

Distortion causes a globular effect as shown above even when you actually observe a flat object.

In pursuit of sharper and brighter images, Nikon has developed a series of objectives featuring higher NA's and incredible resolving power. For example, the P-HR Plan Apo 1.6x objective delivers an NA of 0.21 and a resolving power of 630 lines/mm. These superb objectives feature optimum contrast and a minimum of flare across the entire view field out to the edges.

The SMZ1500 comes with a built-in aperture diaphragm that is useful for observation and photomicrography or CCTV monitoring. Optimum depth of focus can also be achieved by adjusting this diaphragm.

The standard binocular eyepiece tube is inclined 20°, allowing you to observe samples without having to lean forward. This reduces fatigue during long hours of operation by reducing strain on your neck, shoulders, and back.

In addition to the standard type, you have the option of using other eyepiece tubes and/or eye-level risers to obtain the optimum eyepoint, depending on your height or whether or not an intermediate tube is inserted.

All eyepieces are the high eyepoint-type and have a wide field of view; for example, the CW10x is 22mm. In addition, these eyepieces have a built-in diopter adjustment, so the image and the reticle are brought into focus at the same time, making viewing easy while reducing eyestrain.