Abstract: A microscope having a mechanically adjustable zoom system (7) and/or a mechanically adjustable focus system is described, which microscope is equipped at least one manually movable adjusting element (2) for adjusting the zoom system (7) and/or the focus system. The adjusting element (2) has associated with it a sensor (1) for ascertaining and/or indicating the position of the adjusting element (2).

Abstract: A microscope having a mechanically adjustable zoom system (7) and/or a mechanically adjustable focus system is described, which microscope is equipped at least one manually movable adjusting element (2) for adjusting the zoom system (7) and/or the focus system. The adjusting element (2) has associated with it a sensor (1) for ascertaining and/or indicating the position of the adjusting element (2).

Abstract: A control unit for controlling functional units of a microscope is preferably constructed in the manner of a computer mouse and comprises a microcontroller; at least one operating element for providing control commands to the microcontroller for actuating or controlling the functional units; and a memory device associated with the microcontroller, wherein the memory device includes a first memory region and a second memory region, the first memory region storing boot loader programming instructions executable to load control programming instructions into the second memory region, the control programming instructions defining a function of the at least one operating element. The invention eliminates the need to open the control unit and remove or reburn the microcontroller, or to make a hardware change using a jumper setting, in order to update the software controlling the control unit.

Abstract: A microscope (10) which comprises at least one magazine (30) with receiving areas for accommodating assemblies, assemblies for such a microscope (10), a process for carrying out investigations with a microscope (10) and a computer program and a computer program product are described. The microscope (10) described comprises transponders associated with the assemblies inserted in the receiving areas and a reader unit for reading data stored in the transponders.