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Nikon Eclipse TE200/TE300 – a series of inverted infinity-corrected microscopes whose side photo port makes them an excellent choice for digital photomicrography

Nikon’s Eclipse TE200/TE300 inverted microscopes are suitable for use in a broad spectrum of application fields. The two models were developed in the late 1990s but are still a good choice for photomicrography applications when combined with our LM digital adapters with plan achromatic precision optics. The TE300 even features a front port, which the lower-priced TE200 doesn’t have. Both models feature a side port, which can be used to attach a DSLR camera, mirrorless system camera or C-mount camera to the microscope. 

Illumination with a 30W halogen lamp is standard on the TE200; however, this can be replaced (similar to the TE300) with a 100W illumination pillar. Depending on the model, the light distribution ratio is switchable between 100:0, 20:80 and 0:100.

Both models in the series feature Nikon’s powerful infinity CFI60 optical system. The CFI60 lenses have a parfocal distance of 60 mm, a 25 mm thread size and a 22 mm field of view.

Choice of objectives:

• Achromats
• Plan Fluors
• Plan Fluors with extra-long working distance
• Plan Apochromats
• Hoffman modulation contrast objectives

The well-balanced design of the TE200 and TE300 offers high optical performance, combined with convenient controls for comfortable, fatigue-free operation. In addition to standard observation modes (bright field, dark field and phase contrast), observation techniques such as epi-fluorescence, Hoffman modulation contrast or Nomarski DIC are supported as well. Differential interference contrast (DIC) is a valuable tool for imaging unstained transparent live organisms with high contrast. For cell cultures grown in plastic Petri dishes, the Hoffmann modulation contrast method can be used to produce images with a 3D appearance.

The design is highly modular and provides options for the NT-88NE micromanipulator system, the MHW water-hydraulic micromanipulator for electrophysiology and patchclamp research, an incubator box, discussion equipment, the FX-III series photomicrographic system, a mechanical stage, plate holder, etc.

The sextuple revolving nosepiece of the E600 and E800 microscopes is also compatible with the TE200 and TE300 microscopes. Two mounting options are available: attaching the adapter to the V-T phototube of the side port (option A with 42 mm inner diameter) or removing the V-T phototube and attaching the adapter directly to the tube opening (option B with 38 mm inner diameter). The diagrams below illustrate the two connection methods:

OPTION A: attaching the adapter to the V-T phototube of the side port

OPTION B: attaching the adapter directly to the tube opening

Available eyepiece tubes are the TE-TL and TE-TS tubes (both are binocular tubes). An intermediate tube (TE-TI) is required for attaching the usual Nikon trinocular tubes (Y-TF and Y-TT). The key to properly attaching a DSLR or system camera to these tubes with our high-quality LM digital adapters is to choose the correct combination:

The following considerations need to be taken into account:

• Does the tube have a Nikon YT-TV adapter (shorter) or a Nikon V-T photo adapter (longer)? These are essential for attaching a camera to the microscope and cannot be bypassed!
  • The Nikon YT-TV adapter accepts either the TUST38C LM C-mount adapter or – if you already have one – the Nikon C-mount adapter A (1x). The LM digital adapter, which is connected to the camera, is then added to that combination.
  • The LM DSLR adapter is directly attached to the Nikon V-T photo adapter.
     
• If the microscope doesn’t have a phototube, the camera can also be attached to the eyepiece tube. The image quality is as good as that achieved when attaching the camera to the phototube, and the adapter solution for the eyepiece tube is universal, because it enables compatibility with a wide range of different microscopes. We offer a comprehensive range of products for a large variety of different camera systems. 

Conclusion: Equipped with the renowned CFI60 optical system, Nikon’s Eclipse TE200 and TE300 models are very well suited for digital photomicrography.

Photography: 

Fitting the microscope to digital single-lens reflex (DSLR), mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras (MILC ), digital single-lens mirrorless (DSLM) or C-mount cameras is easy with our LM digital SLR adapters, which feature a plan achromatic optical system. Our products make it possible to capture top-quality microscope images. To help you select the adapter that is right for your camera, we have set up an online configurator on our website. You can also email us – ideally with attached photographs of your microscope.

Modern DSLR and single-lens mirrorless (DSLM) offer the latest technology and are generally very well suited for microscopy applications. Most of them can be controlled remotely via PC/Mac. Because of their high sales volumes, they offer an excellent price/performance ratio compared to special-purpose microscope cameras.

Features of top DSLR and single-lens mirrorless cameras (DSLM):
- Large, powerful full-frame sensors (36 x 24 mm)
- Sensor resolution of 61 megapixels or 240 megapixels with Pixel Shift technology
- High light sensitivity (ISO 400,000+)
- Extensive dynamic range (up to 15 aperture stops/f-stops)
- Short exposure times (1/8000 second) up to 1/32,000 seconds using the digital shutter
- 4K Ultra HD  or 8K Ultra HD video function
- Live video capture on external monitors in ultra HD quality

In most cases, these cameras are significantly more powerful than microscope cameras with smaller sensors (1/2" or 2/3"). On our website you will find our current camera recommendations and a camera ranking which is specifically tailored to microscopy applications.