
Measuring – User Manual
2
• Stage micrometer (1) for calibration
• Graticules with various measuring pitches (2)
in mm and inches
• Graticule with mesh (3)
• Graticule with co-ordinate grid
are measured using the graticules with measuring
pitches, e.g. 12mm : 120 or 5mm : 100.
cells, nuclei and the suchlike within one particular area
can be undertaken using the grid plate with mesh.
When calibrating with the stage micrometer, the value of
an interval is defined on the eyepiece grid plate in
relation to the specimen magnification.
can be taken with the aid of the graticule with
co-ordinate grid and the angular division on the rotary
polarisation table.
Please refer to the instrument’s directions for use
with regard to using the graticule in eyepieces. Two
adjustable eyepieces are required for equipment
with measuring graticules so that the sharpness can
be set precisely.
If you take digital photographs with your stereomicroscope or macroscope, we would recommend
the Leica IM image archiving and image management
software with measuring module for interactive
measuring, inscribing and marking.
Lengths
Counting
Calibrating
Angle
measurements
Eyepieces
Software for
measuring tasks
Accessories for measuring tasks

3
Measuring – User Manual
Avoid corrosive cleaning agents and materials which
will scratch the surfaces.
Observe the information relating to care
in the operating manual for your instrument.
• Do not keep unused graticules and stage
micrometers in the original containers in which
they were supplied.
You will not cause any damage by undertaking
cleaning with
• soft, dry hairbrushes
• bellows
• optical cleaning cloths
• cotton buds
• fine, soft, non-fluffing cloths: if removing fingerprints,
dampen cloth; if dealing with stubborn dirt,
soak cloth in alcohol.
Care, cleaning
0.01 mm
0.1 mm
0.5 mm
1 mm
0
1
12 mm : 120
5 mm : 100
100 x 1 mm
2
50 mm
2
3
1
2

Co-ordinate the eyepieces precisely to your eyes as
described until you can clearly see the graticule and
specimen at the same time (free from parallax).
Set distance from eye,
eyepieces, illumination etc.
as described in the
instrument’s directions
for use.
Set «0» diopters on both
eyepieces.
Illuminate field of vision without specimen.
Do not look into the eyepieces.
Turn eyepiece with graticule
anticlockwise until it reaches
the stop.
Look into the eyepieces
Slowly turn eyepiece with
graticule clockwise until you can
clearly see the measurement lines.
• No longer adjust eyepiece
with grid plate.
Place test specimen (e.g. stage
micrometer) under the lens.
Preparations
Use graticule to
regulate eyepiece
Focusing test
specimen
Setting diopters and grid plate
4
Measuring – User Manual
0

5
Measuring – User Manual
Select the lowest
magnification.
Observe specimen through the
eyepiece with graticule and
focus.
Select the highest
magnification.
Use focusing drive to
optimise sharpness.
Do not look into the eyepieces
Turn eyepiece without grid
plate anticlockwise until
it reaches the stop.
Select the lowest
magnification.
Observe specimen through the
eyepiece without graticule and
slowly turn eyepiece clockwise
until the eye clearly sees the
specimen.
Select the highest
magnification.
Observe specimen through
both eyepieces.
If necessary, use the focusing
drive to re-focus.
Look into the eyepieces and slightly move your head.
• Graticule and specimen must not move towards one
another, i.e. they must be clearly focused in one plane
(free of parallax). If this is not the case, please repeat
the process.
Regulate
eyepiece without
graticule
Checking eyepiece
is free of parallax

6
Measuring – User Manual
The graticule is only magnified by the eyepiece.
The total magnification of the specimen does however
depend on the lens, magnification changer, eyepiece and
additional tube possibly used (e.g. coaxial lighting sources)
and changes whenever these factors are altered.
When calibrating with the stage micrometer, the value of
an interval on the graticule is defined in relation to the
specimen magnification. The true dimensions of a
specimen can only be established once the calibrated
value has been defined.
… if you only undertake relative measurements
or comparisons.
… if you need absolute measurement values.
The calibration value of each of your optics/
magnification combinations used only has to be
established once. Keep a table of the appropriate
calibration values (refer to example on page 12).
When working with instruments with engageable
zoom settings (Leica MZ6, MZ75, MZ95 etc.) or
adjustable stops (Leica S6 models etc.), the specific
magnifications can always be re-produced
exactly (refer to directions for usage for the stereomicroscope).
When using instruments with zoom magnification
changers without engageable setting stages,
inaccuracies could arise when again undertaking
settings. If a high degree of measurement precision is
required, you should therefore undertake calibration
whenever changing magnification.
Why calibrate?
You do not have to
calibrate
You have to calibrate
Only calibrate once
Engaging zoom
settings
Calibrating graticules

7
Measuring – User Manual
Place stage micrometer on
the table insert and set
sharpness.
Select the magnification
with which you will later
want to take measurements.
Set eyepiece graticule and
lens micrometer to be free of
parallax (see page 4).
Align stage micrometer (X) close to and in parallel
with the eyepiece graticule (Y).
Focus both pitches down to a single point.
In the example: 0 and 10
Count: The number of mm (inches) of the stage
micrometer (X) corresponds to a certain number of
intervals on the eyepiece graticule (Y).
In the example:
7,8mm on the stage micrometer corresponds to 120
intervals on the eyepiece graticule
Calculate calibration value using calibration formula
and note down.
X stage micrometer: number of mm (inches)
Y eyepiece graticule: number of intervals
Calibrating
Calibration formula
X
Y
mm (inch) = calibration value mm (inch)
y
0
12
5
3
4
7
6
8
91011
12
2345
1
6
7810
x

8
Measuring – User Manual
Remove the stage micrometer and focus
on a specimen.
Count how many intervals on the eyepiece graticule
cover the measurement distance required.
Multiply the number of intervals by the calibration
value.
The result is the absolute length of the measurement
distance in mm (inch).
Remove the stage micrometer and focus
on the specimen.
Count particles (cells) within a known area.
• The area may comprise several squares.
Measuring length
Counting
Measuring, counting
012 5
3
6
8
7
910 12114

9
Measuring – User Manual
1. Measuring pitch
12mm : 120
Stage micrometer
with 0.1mm
graduation
Examples
Calibrating
7.8mm on the stage micrometer (X)
120 intervals on the eyepiece graticule (Y)
7.8
120
mm = 0.065mm calibration value
Measuring
Intervals on the eyepiece graticule: 112
Result:
112 intervals × 0.065mm = 7.3mm length of
measurement
distance
x
0
12
3
4
5
6
7
8
91011
12
1
2345
6
7810
y

2. Measuring pitch
5mm : 100
Stage micrometer
with 0.1mm
graduation
10
Measuring – User Manual
Calibrating
1.37mm on the stage micrometer (X)
100 intervals on the eyepiece graticule (Y)
1.37
100
mm = 0.014mm calibration value
Measuring
Intervals on the eyepiece graticule: 34
Result:
34 intervals × 0.014mm = 0.47mm length
of measurement
distance

11
Measuring – User Manual
3. Mesh pitch
100 × 1mm
2
Calibrating
6.2mm on the stage micrometer (X)
10 intervals on the eyepiece graticule (Y)
6.2
10
mm = 0.62mm calibration value
Counting
Area of boxed in square A: 0.38mm
2
Result: 4 cells per 0.38mm
2
Area of boxed in square B: 9.5mm
2
Result: 16 cells per 9.5mm
2
A
B

Illustrations, descriptions and technical data are not binding and may be changed without notice.
M2-275-0en • © Leica Microsystems (Switzerland) Ltd • CH-9435 Heerbrugg, 2001 • Printed in Switzerland – V.2004 – RDV
Instrument
Magnification
stage
Lens
Tube factor
Eyepieces
Graticule
Calibration value
Table
Calibrating
1. Focus stage micrometer.
2. Count:
number of mm (inches) on the stage micrometer (X)
number of intervals on the eyepiece graticule (Y)
3. Calculate calibration value (one interval of the eyepiece graticule):
X
Y
= mm (inch) calibration value
Measuring
4. Focus on specimen rather than stage micrometer.
5. Count and calculate:
number of intervals on the eyepiece graticule
mm (inch) calibration value = mm (inch) length of measurement distance
×
Leica Microsystems (Switzerland) Ltd
Stereo & Macroscope Systems
CH-9435 Heerbrugg
Telephone +41 71 726 33 33
Fax +41 71 726 33 99
www.leica-microsystems.com
www.stereomicroscopy.com