• Best-suited for observation in the low-to-middle magnification range (approx. 5x to 120x).
• A zoom lens is generally used.
• Relatively inexpensive ($5,000 to $10,000).
• A camera can be mounted to the type shown in Fig. 1 but cannot be mounted to the type shown in Fig 2.

Advantages of stereoscopic microscopes

• They provide a long observation distance.
• They generally employ a zoom lens, making it easy to determine an observation point.

Disadvantages of stereoscopic microscopes

• They have a shallow depth of field.
• As shown in Fig. 3, they require an additional light source.
• They are effective for observation under relatively low magnification only. A metallurgical microscope is generally used where high magnification is required.
• Most cannot take photos.
• Even if the microscope can take photos, it is difficult to set up the shooting conditions.