SM-8 Series

User’s Manual

1
SM-8 Series Table of Contents

Before Use ........................................................................................................... 3

Introduction .............................................................................................3
Safety Precautions ..................................................................................4
Parts............................................................................................................... 5
SM-8B/T.............................................................................................. 5
Definition of Parts ............................................................................... 6
Operation ................................................................................................... 8
Assembly.................................................................................................8
Setting Up ................................................................................................ 11
Focusing ............................................................................................... 11
Using the Trinocular Port .................................................................. 12
Attaching a Camera ........................................................................... 12
Adjusting Focusing Tension ............................................................ 13
Maintenance/Precautions .................................................................... 13
Specifications.............................................................................................. 14
Specifications ....................................................................................... 14
Optional Accessories ........................................................................... 15
Technical Terms & Concepts .......................................................... 16
Troubleshooting ....................................................................................... 17
Common Issues (Optical).................................................................. 17
Common Issues (Mechanical) ........................................................... 18

2
SM-8 Series Before Use

Introduction
Congratulations on the purchase of your new AmScope microscope!

This manual is designed for the SM-8 series microscopes (SM-8B, SM-8T, and all their variants).

The two base models of this series differ in that the -B models are binocular (two eyepiece ocular
tubes), while the -T models are trinocular (two eyepiece ocular tubes with a third port on top for a
microscope camera).

Please take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the features and functions of your new
microscope.

If you’d like more information on microscopes, parts, or accessories, please visit our website at:

www.amscope.com

We highly recommend you study this manual thoroughly before operating the microscope and that
you keep it on hand for future reference.

If you have additional questions or need assistance, please send us an email at:

info@amscope.com

3
SM-8 Series Before Use

Safety Precautions

1. As the microscope is a precision instrument, always handle it with care, avoiding impact
or abrupt movement during transportation. Do not shake the package.

2. Do not place the microscope in direct sunlight or in high heat. Keep it indoors in a dry
and clean place with temperatures between 32-100 degrees F (0-40 degrees C), and in
maximum relative humidity of 85%.

3. Avoid touching the lenses on the objectives and the eyepieces so that oil and dirt from
your fingerprints do not obstruct your view.

4. Before turning the power on, make sure that the power supply voltage is consistent with
the voltage of your microscope (for units with built in illumination).

4
SM-8 Series Parts

SM-8B/T

Eyepieces
Trinocular Articulating Arm
Head

Magnification
Knob

Ring Light Focusing Rack

(Not included)
Table Clamp Stand

5
SM-8 Series Parts
Definition of Parts
Adjustable Trinocular Port
Threaded port with adjustable length of attachment of digital or video camera

Boom Stand
Stand for the microscope that allows the head to be moved in physical space in various directions

Continuous Zoom
A microscope head with a knob to change magnification through a range

Dimmer
Controls the amount of light that escapes from the illumination source

Diopter
Allows the focus to be perfected for both eyes, independent of each other

Fixed Power
Microscope head whose objectives are pre-set at certain levels and changed by rotating the objective

Focusing Knob
Used to move the microscope head vertically to bring the sample into focus

Gooseneck Illuminator
Illuminator independent of the unit that allows movement of one or two necks for controlled lighting

Head Lock Screw

Screws the microscope head into place

6
SM-8 Series Parts

Magnification Knob
Changes the magnification of the lenses on a continuous zoom microscope

Microscope Head
Contains the objective lens, eyepiece ocular tubes, and prisms used to magnify

Ocular Tube
Tube designed to hold the eyepieces or camera in place

Ring Light
An illuminator that mounts directly onto the objective to emit even light on the sample below

Simul-Focal Microscope Head

Head containing a focus adjustment for a trinocular port camera to simultaneously to match the eyepieces

Table Stand
A stand which sits on the table and holds the head directly above the sample without moving

7
SM-8 Series Operation

Assembly
1. First, take the styrofoam container out of the cardboard carton and lay it on its side, paying attention
to which side is labeled up. Remove the tape and open the container carefully so as to avoid dropping
and damaging the optical items. Check carefully to ensure that all parts and accessories are intact.

2. Check the packing list to ensure that you’re received all items. Please note that this can vary
depending on which model you’ve purchased, and is generally listed on www.amscope.com at the
items’ details page for your specific model.

3. Remove the microscope from the box and remove the plastic protective covering. The body of the
microscope is composed of the table clamp, articulating arm, focusing rack, and the head lock screw.

4. Installation of the Articulating Arm Stand.

4.1 Loose the locks of the clamp. Lock the clamp

securely at the edge of table. Usually it is at the
back or side of your working table.

Fig. 1

8
SM-8 Series Operation

Collar Lever Protective Collar 4.2 Screw the pillar into the clamp base.

4.3 Loose collar lever, move the protective collar

to the position needed and then lock the collar
by turning collar lever clockwise.

Fig. 2

4.4 Insert Articulating Arm holder into the pillar

and tighten the knob.

Fig. 3

4.5 Insert Articulating Arm into the holder and

then lock with knob①. Loose locking pinch②
to adjust angle of Arm. Then turn pinch lock
handle to lock.

Fig. 4

9
SM-8 Series Operation
4.6 Insert focusing rack pinch into the stand. Turn
lever① to lock the pinch. If the focusing knob
on the focusing rack gets in the way, pull the
lever handle outward and turn the handle to a
free position. Release handle back and then
turn the handle to lock.

Fig. 5

4.7 Put the head into focusing rack. Tighten the

Selection Pole lock screw①. Remove the eyetube caps and
drop the desired eyepieces into the eyepiece
ocular tubes. Be sure to avoid touching the lens
to ensure no artifacts appear in your image.

4.8 Remove the cap from the objective lens.

4.9 For the SM-8T models, screw the photo port

onto the top of the microscope head (trinocular
C-mount port).
You can alternate the binocular observation
Fig. 5 and video capture by pushing or pulling the
selection pole.

- Push the pole in completely:

o Binocular observation

- Pull the pole out completely:

o Open the shutter on the trinocular
port to get video capture.

If an external light source is included, refer to the instruction to mount the light source. Plug in the
microscope and turn it on. If no light emerges from the light source, adjust the dimmer knob near the
power switch.

10
SM-8 Series Operation

Setting Up
1. Once you have placed your sample on the table or base below the objective, center the sample as best
as possible. A slide is neither needed nor required for a stereo microscope, although they can be used if
desired. If using a slide, use the stage clips to hold it in place.

2. With both eyes open, look into the eyepieces. Adjust the interpupillary distance by holding the
eyepiece tubes and rotating the eyepiece tubes either towards or away from each other until only one
circle of light is seen by both eyes.

3. Adjust the magnification knob to the lowest setting (0.7) and move the microscope’s focusing
knobs (on the focusing rack) to adjust the height of the unit until at approximately 4 inches (101mm)
away from the sample. If not clear after adjusting, please be sure that you have not installed any
additional Barlow lenses onto the objective. Center the object in the field of view once you have
achieved focus.

Focusing
1. A stereo microscope’s focus differs from a compound microscope. Magnification and focal distance
(working distance) are inversely related to each other. The more magnified one is, the lower the
distance between the objective and the sample to achieve focus.

2. When first using the microscope, remove all Barlow lenses and set the magnification knob (on the
microscope head) to the minimum setting (0.7x).

3. Begin focusing the microscope by moving the knob until the head is about 4 inches (101mm)
away from the sample. This should bring the microscope in focus at 7x.

4. If you’d like to use greater magnification than the minimum setting, you will need to move the
microscope head closer to the sample as well as adjust the magnification knob to a higher setting. The
more magnified, the closer you need to be.

5. If you’ve achieved the maximum magnification (45x and 3/16 of an inch or 4.76mm) on the
microscope, you can use other accessories to either further increase or further decrease the
magnification, called Barlow lenses. These lenses screw onto the objective to either amplify or reduce
the total magnification.

The SM microscope has two options available--the 0.5x and the 2.0x. The 0.5x will cut magnification in
half down to a minimum of 3.5x (and double working distance to approximately 8 inches or
203mm), while the 2.0x will double your magnification (but half the working distance, down to 3/32
of an inch or 2.4mm).

11
SM-8 Series Operation

Using the Trinocular Port

The AmScope SM-8T model is uniquely designed so that you can view the image through the
eyepieces and the trinocular port without removing the camera or using your eyepiece.

This feature allows the images through the microscope’s eyepieces, and those displayed on your
computer screen or television be viewed at the same time (although unless using 20x eyepieces to
match your camera, the image may differ in magnification). You do not need an adapter to attach
your AmScope camera to the trinocular port, however you may need one if you have a non-AmScope
camera. Our photo port is a 23mm size.

Selection Pole You can alternate the binocular observation

and video capture by pushing or pulling the
selection pole.

- Push the pole in completely:

o Binocular observation

- Pull the pole out completely:

o Open the shutter on the trinocular
port to get video capture.

Fig. 6

If using a simul-focal microscope head (one with a focusing adjustment on the third port), then you
can use the middle portion to focus the camera. This allows the camera to be in focus even if the
magnifications between the eyepieces and the camera are different. The SM-8T models do not come
standard with a simul-focal feature, but the SM-8TP models do.

Attaching a Camera
1. If your microscope has a C-mount, you can simply screw the camera onto the trinocular port.

2. If your camera has a 23mm mounting size, remove the C-mount cap (if present) from the top of the
trinocular port by loosening the screw. Then, drop the camera with reduction lens directly into the
trinocular port. It should slide in without issue.

3. To focus through the trinocular port (simul-focal models only), simply turn middle portion of the
tube. Otherwise, you will need to focus it individually using the microscope’s focusing mechanisms.

12
SM-8 Series Operation

Adjusting Focusing Tension

1. To adjust the tension of the focusing knobs, grab both sides of the focusing knob and twist them opposite of
each other.

2. To decrease tension, rotate in the opposite direction. Typically, adding tension is done by rotating the right knob
clockwise and the left counterclockwise, so the opposite would hold true if releasing tension (if it is too hard to
adjust the focal height, for example).

Note: If your focusing rack/head is slipping down, you need to increase the tension.

Maintenance/Precautions
- All glass surfaces must be kept clean. Fine dust on the optical surface should be blown off using a hand blower or
gently wiped off with a soft lens paper tissue/nonabrasive lint free cloth.

- Carefully wipe off oil or fingerprints on the lens surfaces using tissue moistened with a small amount of lens
cleaner (we recommend Sparkle brand optical cleaner).

- Do not use Sparkle to clean other elements of the microscope. Use a neutral detergent on any plastic or painted
surfaces.

- Do not assemble or disassemble the microscope’s electrical components yourself without advisement from one of
our technicians. Doing so will void your warranty unless by advisement of one of our technicians to do so.

- After use, cover the microscope with the provided dust cover.

- Keep your AmScope microscope in a dry, clean location in order to prevent rust or other damages.

13
SM-8 Series Specifications

SM-8 Series Specifications

Parts Specifications SM-8TY SM-8TZ SM-8TZZ
Widefield Eyepiece WF10X/18mm x x x
WF10X/18mm w/ Pointer
WF10X/18mm w/ Reticle
WF16X/13mm
WF20X/10mm
WF25X/10mm
Barlow Lenses 0.5x (SM05) x x
2.0x (SM20) x x
45 Degree Viewing Head Binocular, Interpupillary Adjustment x (if B-) x (if B-) x (if B-)
Trinocular, Interpupillary Adjustment x (if T-) x (if T-) x (if T-)
Trinocular Port C-Mount Photo port x (if T-) x (if T-) x (if T-)
23mm Photo Port x (if T-) x (if T-) x (if T-)
Stage 130mm x 140mm Mechanical Stage x x x
Movement Range: 50mm x 76mm x x x

14
SM-8 Series Specifications

Optional Accessories
Parts Description Model # Purpose
Eyepieces 20x EP20X30 For obtaining higher magnification powers
25x EP25X30 For obtaining higher magnification powers
10x w/ Pointer EP10X30P For easier identifying of objects
10x w/ Reticle EP10X30R For measuring objects
Barlow (Auxiliary 0.5X SM05 For halfing the magnification (and doubling work-
Lens) ing distance)
2.0X SM20 For doubling the magnification (and halfing the
working distance)
Camera CMOS Digital MU035 (350k) To capture images, video, or view live display on a
MU130 (1.3mp) computer (PC/Mac OS X)
MU300 (3mp)
MU500 (5mp)
MU800 (8mp)
MU900 (9mp)
MU1000 (10mp)
Calibration Micrometer MR400 To calibrate the camera software for on screen
measurements
CCD Digital (VGA, Trinocular CCD-MT To view live display on a computer monitor (VGA)
Only)
CCD TV/Video (Trinocular CCD-NP To view live display on a television (RCA)
Only)
Stands Single Arm SAW Single arm boom stand for larger samples
Double Arm DAW Double arm boom stand for larger samples
Ball Bearing BBB Ball bearing boom stand for ease of motion
Articulating Arm w/ Clamp ASC Articulating arm for maximum freedom of move-
ment with clamp for maximum work space area
Articulating Arm w/ Stand ASB Articulating arm for maximum freedom of move-
ment with table stand for flexibility
Super Large Flat Stand TS100-FR Flat stand and focusing rack for X-Y table use or
dissection
Dual LED Pillar Stand TS130-LED Top and bottom lit table stand with pillar design
Dual LED Track Stand TS130R-LED Top and bottom lit table stand with track design

15
SM-8 Series Technical Parameters

Technical Terms & Concepts

Total Magnification
Total magnification of a microscope is calculated by the magnification of the objective multiplied by the mag-
nification of the eyepieces.

-Ex: (10x Eyepieces) x (4x Objective) = 40x Total Magnification

Field of View
Linear field of view of the eyepiece divided by the magnification of the objective

Numerical Aperture (N.A)

Calculated by n Sin α (max), the Numerical Aperture (N.A) is an important parameter that marks the
features of the objective and condenser’s image quality and resolution. The “n” is a refractive index of the medium
(air or immersion cedar oil) between the objective lens and the specimen. The “α” is 1/2 of the angle between the
aperture on the objective and path of light. The larger the N.A, the higher the resolution of the objective (and better
quality of the image) is.

Object to Primary Image Distance

The distance between the object plane and the primary image plane. The conjugate distance is fixed.

Mechanical Tube Length

The distance between the objective shoulder and the ocular shoulder

Infinity
Infinity is an optic lens system that allows the entire field of view to be in focus at the same time, allowing for
higher quality images to be displayed through the microscope. The focal distance is set to infinity between the objective
and the eyepiece prism, also allowing filters to be inserted into the system more easily due to the parallel path of light,
rather than focusing on a specific point.

16
SM-8 Series Troubleshooting

Common Issues (Optical)

Symptom Cause Remedy
OPTICAL ISSUES
Obstructions are Stains, dust, or dirt has accumulated on the speci- Clean the slide or use a new specimen if sample is
observed in the field men destroyed
of view Stains, dust, or dirt have accumulated on the Clean the objective and eyepiece lenses
lenses
Unclear Image Stain or dust has accumulated on the lens in the Clean the lens with lens cleaner or a nonabrasive
inlet of the head lint free cloth, as well as spray with compressed air
The microscope head is not in the right position Adjust the height of the microscope with the focus-
to be focused ing knob on the focusing rack until image appears
in focus. Note: Higher magnification will require
the head to move closer, while lower will require
more distance between the sample and the lens.
One side of the field The specimen is not fixed Secure the slide to the stage with clips or another
of view is dark or the manner so that the sample does not move
image moves while
focusing
The field of view is not The light source is not present A light source must be used with this model micro-
bright enough scope to view a sample (ring light, built in illumina-
tor, or gooseneck illuminator)
The light source is too dim The light source used is not bright enough, or is set
to too low of an intensity setting. Adjust setting to a
higher or change light sources
Stains, dust, or dirt has accumulated on the con- Thoroughly clean tall lenses with lens cleaner or a
denser, objective, eyepieces, or base lens lint free nonabrasive cloth

17
SM-8 Series Troubleshooting
Common Issues (Mechanical)
Symptom Cause Remedy
MECHANICAL ISSUES
Focus knob does not turn The tension knob is too tight Loosen it by adjusting the tension by grabbing both knobs on the
focusing rack and twisting them in opposite directions.
Stage declines by itself The tension knob is too lose Loosen it by adjusting the tension by grabbing both knobs on the
focusing rack and twisting them in opposite directions.
The focusing knob won’t The focusing rack has reached the max travel distance in either Move the focusing rack higher or lower on the pillar if using a
raise/lower the head direction stand with a pillar

18