The Zeiss Stemi 2000 Microscope is used in our laboratory primarily to view and manipulate
C. elegans on different size plates. It is a very powerful stereomicroscope and it is an integral part of our laboratory. In fact, we have three of them. The image quality is superb. The microscope is very compact, measuring only 65 x 336 x 371 mm (w x d x h), and weighs only 4.5 kg. The brightness and contrast are excellent. The Stemi 2000 is built with 6V, 10W halogen, vertical illumination; brightness is adjustable. Another unique feature is the adjustable eyepiece: the interocular distance can be adjusted from 55 to 75 mm. Another feature that stands out is the large base on which we can place up to six 10 mm2 dishes.
The microscope consists of the body, eyepiece W-PL 10x/23 spectacle focusing, eyepiece cup, Stemi mount with drive, and Stand S. The light source comes from the base, which illuminates the specimen. On the microscope, there is an adjustable control which alters the lamp voltage or brightness, a zoom adjustment which enables continuous adjustment of the zoom range, a focusing drive which enables adjustment of the optical system to the specimen with a maximum adjustment range of 46 mm, and a locking screw which fixes the Stemi mount at different working heights. The left and right focusing drives are coupled mechanically and are very conveniently placed so that the user can focus with ease while looking at the specimen.
Overall, we get amazing quality images with this microscope over the entire field of view. With other, non-Zeiss, microscopes that I have used in other laboratories, the overall image quality and brightness were not as good as with this Zeiss microscope. The image quality and brightness under the scope would be uneven with the other microscopes, but the Stemi 2000 provides consistently superb image quality throughout the field of view. Service for this product is great. As for setting up the microscope, a Zeiss representative will come and set it up for you. We are moving to a new building, and they will come and pack it and move it for us.