ABSTRACT
Pictures made using microscopes are called photomicrographs. While the making of photomicrographs has become easier than it was when film was used, it remains common for new users of photomicroscopes to be intimidated by the instrument, with all of its various knobs and controls. This chapter focuses on the core principles and other fundamental approaches needed to successfully form and capture images produced by a light microscope. It investigates both transmitted and reflected light techniques using compound light microscopes and contemporary digital microscopes. Objective characteristics include magnification, color correction, and flatness of field, amongst others. The primary image is formed in the microscope’s body tube. Eyepieces, sometimes called oculars, allow users to view the images produced by a microscope. Many modern and digital microscopes no longer use eyepieces and display images directly onto a computer display. An instrument’s optical performance can be predicted by considering the production of an airy disk and the diffraction potential of the system.
