Choosing the Right Olympus BX Microscope Stage

Read the Edited Video Transcript for ‘Choosing the Right Olympus BX Microscope Stage’

Hi, this is Chad with Monday Scientific. Today, we’re going to talk about stage options for the Olympus BX models.

This particular stage is removable. It’s a right-hand stage, but you can also get a left-hand stage drive or a fixed stage. Many pathologists prefer the fixed stage because they don’t like the slide holder — they prefer to push the slide manually with their fingers. The fixed stage is also a much more affordable option. You can typically pick one up for around $350 to $400, while a stage like this one (with a mechanical drive) can cost close to $700, not including the slide holder.

We’re going to show you how to remove and replace the stage, and go over a common issue people run into.

If you’re using the microscope, you’ll want to start by lowering the stage all the way to the bottom. There will be a thumb screw on the side — go ahead and loosen that. Carefully remove the stage, making sure you don’t bump any of the objectives or the top element. You can flip the top element out of the way, or if that’s not possible, lower the condenser to avoid contact. I’ve done this many times and just make sure I don’t hit anything.

There are two types of mounting screws. The stage I just removed has a thumb screw. Some stages, like this other one, use a 3mm Allen screw. They work the same way — just a different tool.

Here’s a quick tip I like to use when installing a stage: back the screw all the way out before placing the stage. This helps ensure that it sits flush. If you don’t, you might install the stage at an angle. It might feel tight, but if it’s crooked, it will cause problems at higher magnifications — especially at 20x, 40x, 50x, 60x, or 100x. The specimen may appear half in focus and half out of focus. This usually means the stage isn’t mounted evenly.

Once you’ve backed the screw out, place the stage on the mount and then tighten it down. If you don’t do this properly, it might feel like it’s mounted correctly — but in reality, it’s not fully seated.

Another helpful tip: if you have an old slide, you can use it to help align the stage. Loosen the stage slightly, place the slide flat on top of it, push the slide back against the base of the microscope, and then lock the stage down. That helps ensure the stage is square.

As I mentioned earlier, you can get a right-hand stage, a left-hand stage, or even just use a stage clip. If you don’t like the stage clip and don’t want to buy a different stage, you can remove the slide holder by loosening the small Allen screws and then manually push the slides with your fingers.

The Olympus BX is a great scope — easy to use and easy to modify. Swapping out the stage is straightforward.

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 a BX stage, you can find them at our e-commerce shop, MicroscopeMarketplace.com.

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