Abstract: A microscope which is capable of quickly switching different methods of observation such as phase contrast observation and bright field observation. The microscope comprises a condenser lens for condensing an illumination light, a diaphragm disposed on the optical axis of the condenser lens and having a variable aperture area, an aperture setting means for setting the an aperture area of the diaphragm, a slider disposed on the light condensing side of the condenser lens and having a first aperture portion having a ring slit and a second aperture portion, a first control means for restricting the aperture area to the full open aperture side when the first aperture portion is disposed on the optical axis of the condenser lens, and a second control means for releasing the restriction on the aperture portion when the second aperture portion is disposed on the optical axis of the condenser lens.

Abstract: A specimen of transparent living material is covered over with a cover glass while being observed. An optical image of this specimen captured by an objective lens includes spherical aberration due to the cover glass. The spherical aberration included in the optical image is corrected by a correction optical system. Imaging is performed while varying this spherical aberration correction amount. From the plurality of images which have been imaged, an image is selected whose spherical aberration is the least, according to increase and decrease of contrast. Imaging is performed while driving the correction optical system so as to bring the spherical aberration correction amount to be equal to that when the selected image was imaged.

Abstract: A section image obtaining apparatus includes an image-capturing device that captures an image of a subject, a section specifying device that specifies the position of a section of the subject, an image of which is to be obtained, a distance adjusting device that adjusts the distance between the subject and the image-capturing device and an image processing device that rearranges the image obtained by the image-capturing device at the position specified by the section specifying device based upon the distance that has been adjusted by the distance adjusting device.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an electric microscope in which a liquid can be easily filled and removed when an immersion objective lens is inserted or removed into or from an optical path of the microscope.

Abstract: A microscope includes a first stage for placing a specimen on a first plane, a second stage for placing the specimen on a second plane, an objective lens provided between the first plane and the second plane, the objective lens being provided so that the first plane and the second plane are in conjugate relationship with the objective lens, a Koehler illuminating optical system for supplying an illuminating light beam for illuminating the first plane, the illuminating optical system supplying the illuminating light beam to the second plane through the objective lens when the specimen is placed on the second plane, and an observation system for observing therethrough the image of the specimen formed on a third plane, the observation system being provided with an optical system cooperating with the objective lens to cause the image of the specimen placed on the first plane to be formed on a third plane, or cause the image of the specimen placed on the second plane to be formed on the third plane.

Abstract: A coaxial fine and coarse adjusting device for moving a movable member movably supported on a device body includes a coarse adjustment handle, a fine adjustment handle provided coaxially with respect to the coarse adjustment handle, a bearing member fixed to the device body, a rotation transmission shaft rotatingly supported in the bearing member, the rotation transmission shaft having a pinion for the movement of the movable member, a hollow cylindrical coarse adjustment shaft which passes through the rotation transmission shaft and is rotatably supported by the rotation transmission shaft and the bearing member, a rotatable fine adjustment shaft which passes through the coarse adjustment shaft, a reduction gear train provided between the rotation transmission shaft and the fine adjustment shaft, a first retaining member provided on one end of the coarse adjustment shaft for retaining the reduction gear train in such a manner that it can turn around about its own axis and rotate about the coarse adjustment s