What is the purpose of the 100x oil immersion objective on the CB2000CF?
The 100x objective requires a drop of immersion oil between the lens and the slide cover slip. This oil prevents light from refracting away from the objective, which is essential for achieving the high resolution needed to see extremely small specimens like bacteria or the detailed structures within cells. The CB2000CF includes immersion oil for this purpose.
How do I get all eight magnification powers from the Celestron Labs CB2000CF?
The eight powers are achieved by combining the two sets of eyepieces with the four objectives. You get 40x, 100x, 400x, and 1000x with the 10x eyepieces, and 80x, 200x, 800x, and 2000x by swapping in the 20x eyepieces.
What does the Abbe condenser and iris diaphragm do on the CB2000CF?
The 1.25 N.A. Abbe condenser gathers the light from the LED illuminator and concentrates it into a cone that illuminates the specimen. The iris diaphragm allows you to adjust the width of this cone. Closing the iris increases contrast, which is useful for unstained specimens, while opening it increases resolution for viewing fine details.
Is the Celestron CB2000CF suitable for a high school biology lab?
Yes. Its all-metal construction, DIN-standard optics, mechanical stage, and magnification up to 2000x make it an excellent tool for high school and even introductory college-level biology. The inclusion of 10 prepared slides allows for immediate, curriculum-relevant use right out of the box.
How does the mechanical stage on the CB2000CF help when viewing the included Spirogyra slide?
Spirogyra consists of long filaments. The mechanical stage allows you to use the X-Y controls to smoothly and precisely follow the length of a filament at high power (e.g., 400x) without having to manually push the slide, which can be jerky and cause you to lose your target.
Can I power the CB2000CF in different countries?
Yes, the microscope includes a universal AC adapter (100-240V) and comes with interchangeable plugs for Type A, C, G, and I outlets, making it suitable for use in North America, Europe, the UK, Australia, and other regions.