Olympus BH-2 Microscope Product Infomation
OLYMPUS BH2
Introduced in 1980, the BH2 is one of the world’s most popular microscopes. Designed with a long barrel objective lens (45mm focal length/160mm mechanical tube length) it can be used for a variety of microscopy applications ranging from basic bright field to fluorescence and phase contrast.
The BH2 scores high marks for reliability and durability due to its quality construction and components, including all metal gears. Popular with pathologists, hematologists, cytologists and for routine biological applications, it is highly sought after and currently used at hospitals, clinics and laboratories around the world. The BH2 is configurable with binocular, trinocular and multiple viewing station options, as well as fluorescence. Additionally, 3rd party attachments allow a c-mount camera.
Microscope Central offers fully refurbished Olympus BH2 units with warranty. For more information about this popular instrument, give us a call at 800-219-1451 or email sales@microscopecentral.com. Please note that not all of our Olympus BH2 microscopes and accessories are listed on our website. Looking for a specific part? Send us an E-mail
FEATURE OPTIONS
Stands
There were two stand options for the Olympus BH2 microscope - the BHS and BHT.
Both came with a solid, durable square stand, fixed quintuple revolving ball bearing, inward facing nosepiece, low positioned coaxial coarse and fine focus controls over a rang of 30mm, fine focus knobs graduated in increments of 2µ, adjustable coarse focus lock and tension control, Koehler illuminated base, centerable field diaphragm, rack and pinion vertical condenser control with centering screws and tension control, and circular stage mount to accept interchangeable stages.
The BHS stand featured a long life 12v, 100w halogen illuminator. Slightly larger that the BHT, it was ideal for advanced research and used with their multiple viewing systems.
Observation Tubes
There were three heads produced for the Olympus BH2 microscope. The BH2-BI30 was the binocular observation tube and had a 30 degree inclination. To add a camera to this microscope Olympus had the BH2-TR30 trinocular observation tube available. This head had a 3-step beam splitter allowing one of the following: 1) 100% of the image to go to the eyepieces 2) 20% to the eyepieces and 80% to the trinocular port or 3)100% to the trinocular port. The BH2-SW super widefield head provided roughly twice the field of view as the standard heads.
Stages
Olympus offered 5 stages for the BH2, including the right (BH2-SVR*) and left (BH2-SVL) hand mechanical stages with low drive controls that offered 270 degrees rotation. The BH2-SH mechanical stage had horizontal drive controls on both the right and left side and up to 180 degrees rotation. The BH2-SRG was a circular stage with a 142mm diameter that provided 360 degrees rotation. The BH2-SVFR was a grooved stage designed to reduce slides sticking and rotated 270 degrees.
*most popular
Condensers
Olympus made 6 different condensers for the BH2 series microscope. A standard abbe condenser offered a 1.25 N.A. for routine use. The BH2-AAC condenser offered an N.A. of 1.40 and allowed for full compensation for all aberrations. The BH2-SC was a swing out condenser which was used with 2x - 100x objectives. For a 1x objective, the BH2-ULC ultra low magnification condenser was more suitable. There were also two darkfield condensers. The BH2-DCW was an oil darkfield condenser with an N.A. of 1.4 - 1.2. The BH2-CDC was a dry darkfield condenser with an N.A. of 0.92 - 0.80.
Objectives
Long barrel objectives were used with the Olympus BH2 microscopes. There were numerous grades/qualities.
S Plan Apochromat objectives were the highest quality with minimal chromatic aberrations, high numerical apertures, and superb flatness.
S Plan Achromat objectives were the most popular objectives found on the BH2 microscope. These lenses provided excellent optical correction and were ideal for DIC and when using super widefield heads/eyepieces.
S Plan FL objectives were used for low 1x or 2x magnifications.
D Plan Achromat objectives provided a flat field of view while using 20mm field of view eyepieces. These were appropriate for routine biological applications.
D Achromat objectives were the most economical objective option for the BH2 microscope series. They provided high resolution and flatness in the center of the field of view.
D Achromat Flatfield 4X, N.A. 0.10, Dry
D Achromat Flatfield 10X, N.A. 0.25, Dry
D Achromat Flatfield 20X, N.A. 0.40, Dry, Spring-Loaded
D Achromat Flatfield 40X, N.A. 0.65, Dry, Spring-Loaded
D Achromat Flatfield 60X, N.A. 0.80, Dry, Spring-Loaded
D Achromat Flatfield 100X, N.A. 1.30, Oil, Spring-Loaded
D Achromat Flatfield 100X, N.A. 1.30, Oil, Iris, Spring-Loaded
D Plan Achromat 4X, N.A. 0.10, Dry
D Plan Achromat 10X, N.A. 0.25, Dry
D Plan Achromat 20X, N.A. 0.40, Dry, Spring-Loaded
D Plan Achromat 40X, N.A. 0.65, Dry, Spring-Loaded
D Plan Achromat 50X, N.A. 0.90, Oil, Iris, Spring-Loaded
D Plan Achromat 100X, N.A. 1.25, Oil, Spring-Loaded
S Plan Fluorite 1x, N.A. 0.04, Dry
S Plan Fluorite 2x, N.A. 0.08, Dry
D Plan Apochromat UV 10X, N.A. 0.40, Dry, Spring-Loaded
D Plan Apochromat UV 20X, N.A. 0.70, Dry, Spring-Loaded
D Plan Apochromat UV 20X, N.A. 0.80, Oil, Spring-Loaded
D Plan Apochromat UV 40X, N.A. 0.85, Dry, Spring-Loaded, Correction Collar
D Plan Apochromat UV 40X, N.A. 1.00, Oil, Spring-Loaded, Correction Collar
D Plan Apochromat UV 100X, N.A. 1.30, Oil, Spring-Loaded, Correction Collar
Phase Contrast D Achromat Flatfield 10X, N.A. 0.25, Dry, Positive Low
Phase Contrast D Achromat Flatfield 20X, N.A. 0.40, Dry, Spring-Loaded, Positive Low
Phase Contrast D Achromat Flatfield 40X, N.A. 0.65, Dry, Spring-Loaded, Positive Low
Phase Contrast D Achromat Flatfield 100X, N.A. 1.30, Oil, Spring-Loaded, Positive Low
Eyepieces
The Olympus WHK eyepieces were designed to be used in conjunction with the long barrel objectives. The CH2 eyepieces were high eye-point, so they were appropriate for use with or without eye glasses. Olympus made 5 different magnification eyepieces - WHK10X, WHK8X, WHK15X, NK5X, and NK20X.
The NFK photo eyepieces were designed to be used when adding a camera to this microscope. They were available in the following magnifications: 1.67x, 2.5x, 3.3x, 5x, and 6.7x.
Multiple Viewing Systems
The BH2 could be configured with multiple viewing heads. The BH2-MDO allowed for up to five people to view through the microscope at once. The colored pointer assembly could be changed from green to orange. The BH2-DO was a dual viewing attachment that allowed two people to view through the microscope at the same time.
Additional Accessories
Filters, Reflected Light Fluorescence Attachment, Bulb & Lamp Housings, Drawing Attachment, Polarized Light Accessories, Carrying Case, Filar Micrometer Eyepieces, TV Adapter, MFU-200 Electronic Flash, Photographic Accessories
Common Issues
The Olympus BH2 was built to last. It was one of the most durable microscopes ever made and designed to withstand heavy use. However, over time the Olympus BH-2 coarse focus gear box will wear out. Microscope Central sells replacement gear boxes to get your BH2 back up and running! Another common problem is that the electronics can fail on this microscope. Olympus no longer provides parts for the BH2, however we offer high quality LED upgrade solutions. These LED replacement kits are made in the USA and use CREE LEDs and durable components, not inexpensive 3D printed materials!
