AmScope SE400-Z Binocular Microscope -- FYI - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: JDubU
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2020, 07:37:14 pm
content: I have a new SE400-Z microscope and have been evaluating the eyepieces for it.It comes with a set of 10x (labeled WF10x/20) and a 20x (labeled WF20x) eyepieces that work with its 1x objective lenses.I also separately purchased a set of AmScope high eyepoint 10x eyepieces (https://www.amazon.com/AmScope-EP10X30E-Extreme-Widefield-Eyepieces/dp/B005OMK2JI) that are used in AmScope's higher end "ZM" line (e.g.https://www.amscope.com/2x-90x-binocular-stereo-boom-microscope-fiber-ring.html). After asking, I was told by AmScope tech support that they "should" work in the SE400.I can confirm that these EP10X30E eyepieces do work in the SE400 and I prefer them over the ones that come in the SE400-Z package.Since they are not made for the SE400, they do have some minor compatibility issues. They have a mounting diameter of 30mm instead of 30.5mm, so they rock a bit in the tubes. Gently tightening the single mounting screw prevents them from rocking, but can add a very slight tilt relative to the tube. They also sit higher in the tube since the mounting diameter is smaller than the top lens diameter. Neither of these mounting issues seem to degrade the image quality. To my eyes, the image appears noticeably clearer, brighter and larger than the regular 10x eyepieces. The larger appearance is not the objective's field of view (see below), but rather, the apparent diameter of the image in the eyepiece. I can also use them with my glasses on (YMMV).I made some measurements using the three sets of eyepieces:------------------------------------------Eyepiece: WF20xTotal Magnification: 20Minimum Interpupillary Distance: 48mmField of View: 10mmWorking Distance: 227mmEye Relief Distance: 0mm (!)Exit Pupil Diameter: 1mm------------------------------------------Eyepiece: WF10x/20Total Magnification: 10Minimum Interpupillary Distance: 52mmField of View: 20mmWorking Distance: 227mmEye Relief Distance: 14mmExit Pupil Diameter: 2mm------------------------------------------Eyepiece: WF10x/22 High Eyepoint (AmScope EP10X30E)Total Magnification: 10Minimum Interpupillary Distance: 57mmField of View: 19mmWorking Distance: 212mmEye Relief Distance: 19mmExit Pupil Diameter: 2mm------------------------------------------For a description of eye relief distance and exit pupil diameter:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exit_pupil

author: exe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 10, 2020, 04:19:30 pm
content: Quote from: JDubU on February 09, 2020, 07:37:14 pmI wonder what was the decision behind this change.

author: analogRF
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 25, 2020, 12:46:17 pm
content: Quoteso the field of view did not increase with this change?

author: JDubU
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 25, 2020, 02:11:47 pm
content: Quote from: analogRF on March 25, 2020, 12:46:17 pmIf I look at a ruler under the microscope with these WF10x/22 eyepieces, I see span of 19mm from edge to edge on that ruler.But compared to the stock 10x eyepieces, that image looks larger and clearer.It's like if you were to take one photo of an object but make two prints of it, one print larger than the other. They both have the same field of view but you can see the detail better in the larger print.