The episcopic illumination system has independent filter holders for yellow, blue, green, and frosted filters (included), an iris diaphragm with separate aperture and alignment controls to provide precision lighting control, and a 30W halogen light source that provides bright light in a concentrated path and has a rheostat to control light intensity. The microscope has reflected episcopic (upper) illumination that reflects light off the specimen for enhanced visibility of opaque specimens, and lower (diascopic) illumination that transmits light up through the specimen for enhanced visibility of translucent and transparent objects. The diascopic illumination system has a rheostat-controlled 20W halogen light source to control the amount of light emanating from the lamp. The double-layer mechanical stage, with 1mm stage divisions and 0.1mm vernier graduations, locks the slide into place and provides precise slide manipulation along the X- and Y-axis to allow coordinates to be recorded, enabling the viewer to return to a specific location on the slide. The stage is 5-1/8 x 4-13/16 inches (130 x 122mm) and has a traveling range of 1-3/16 x 2-3/4 inches (30 x 70mm). Graduated coaxial coarse and fine focus has a focusing range of 1-9/16" (40mm). Focus knob tension control prevents the stage from drifting out of focus.

The microscope has a mechanical tube length of 6-5/16" (160mm). 

The enamel-coated cast-steel body is durable and resistant to stains and corrosion.