Microscopes are configured to suit different applications. It is important to ensure that you purchase a microscope that is well-suited to your application. There are three basic things you need to know:

First, a light microscope has two sources of magnification. The primary source is via the objective lens. The secondary source is via the eyepiece lens. Total magnification is achieved by multiplying the (magnification) power of the objective lens by that of the eyepiece lens.

For example: Standard eyepieces have a power of 10x. When using a 100x objective lens, the total magnification would be 1,000x.

Second, and perhaps most important of all, do not fall into the trap of being attracted by high levels of magnification. The vast majority of the world’s light microscope applications require magnification levels of less than 60x!

Third, you need to know whether you need a compound or stereo microscope.

The type is the most important thing when choosing a microscope. You couldn't use a compound microscope for looking at rocks and you couldn't use a stereo microscope for looking at bacteria. A general rule of thumb is:

• Compound
  Biological but high power, everything you require slide preparation for.
• Stereo
  Industrial but low power, good for whole objects that cannot be used in a slide. No preparation required.

The current connectivity we have become accustomed to in our everyday lives has also improved microscopy and our ability to view and share it. As we’ll see below, once images are digitised, the possibilities for sharing between a group of people, a class or lecture hall, or via the Internet become almost infinite. Just a few years ago, schools and institutions were required to purchase dozens of microscopes, and those who couldn’t afford them were forced to have large groups of students huddle around a single instrument, taking turns. These days, a school or institution can greatly reduce its purchasing and simply stream the images to projection screens, computers, smartphones, and tablets. Doctors deployed to a natural disaster area can stream or email images to colleagues on another continent for diagnosis and treatment.

Lastly, let’s talk about price. Microscopes are available in an incredible range of prices, from $50 toy microscopes to professional models from German and Japanese manufacturers that can cost as much as a new Mercedes-Benz, literally. Toy models are obviously unsuitable for serious use, but few of our readers will have the inclination (or budget) to spend thousands on a professional model. Fortunately, there’s a happy middle ground of inexpensive, high-quality microscopes in the $200 to $2000 range. We’ll focus on that category. The more you pay, the better it gets.

Microscopes are not scary or overly complex devices. They are designed to be easy to use and to be as flexible as possible.