How to Use the Olympus CX43 Microscope

Read the Edited Video Transcript of ‘How to Use the Olympus CX43 Microscope’

Good morning, this is Chad with Munday Scientific. Today, we’re going to talk about the Olympus CX43 microscope. This particular unit is configured for phase contrast and is being shipped to an end user. We’re making this video to help them get started by walking through the basic operation of the microscope.

Mike is going to join us now as we go over the key features of this model.

We have a trinocular head with three light path positions:

1. 100% to the eyepieces
2. Split between the eyepieces and the camera tube
3. 100% to the camera tube

The microscope includes two 10x, 22 mm field-of-view eyepieces. One side has a fixed eyepiece, while the other side features a focusable eyepiece—this was a custom request from the customer. The inter-pupillary distance adjusts smoothly.

You’ll also notice our MundayMicroscope.com sticker—a must-have touch!

This microscope is equipped with three phase objectives, all upgraded to fluorite lenses per the client’s request:

• 10x UPlan Fluorite Phase
• 40x UPlan Fluorite Phase
• 100x Phase Objective

Each objective corresponds to a specific phase ring within the condenser:

• 10x aligns with PH1
• 40x aligns with PH2
• 100x aligns with PH3

This alignment is critical for proper phase contrast imaging.

Moving down to the condenser, Olympus has done a great job designing this model. It features multiple built-in stops:

• Brightfield stop
• 2x stop – useful if you’re using a 2x objective, ensuring the field is fully illuminated
• Darkfield stop
• Phase 1 (PH1) – for the 10x objective
• Phase 2 (PH2) – for the 40x objective
• Phase 3 (PH3) – for the 100x objective

We’ve already aligned the phase rings for you.

Light intensity is controlled via the rheostat, located here on the base. Around back, the scope uses a 5-volt power supply for the LED.

Also worth noting is the tension adjustment ring, located inside the coarse focus knob. If you notice the focus drifting—meaning the stage moves without you turning the knob—you may need to tighten this ring by turning it toward the wall. That should resolve the issue.

That’s the basic overview of this microscope. It’s a durable, reliable model, and our customers really seem to like it.

If you have any questions about this microscope—or any other models, especially for clinical applications—feel free to contact us at 919-775-5596 or email us at  (that’s “Monday” with a “U”).

If you’re looking to purchase this microscope or any of its components, you can find them at our e-commerce shop, MicroscopeMarketplace.com.

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