Olympus microscopes and photomicrographic equipment

Adapters for attaching Olympus digital cameras to Olympus microscopes

Introduction

Olympus used to have the following question and answer on its FAQ page:

Can I attach an Olympus CAMEDIA digital camera to my microscope?
Yes. Our CAMEDIA 2000, 3000, 4000 and E-series cameras can be attached to any microscope that has a C-mount camera adapter. Our other CAMEDIA cameras cannot be attached to a microscope. Microscope adapters are available from your authorized Olympus Microscope Dealer. The following chart shows which adapter is required for each camera:

The following information is an expanded version of the chart that Olympus used to provide. The newer C5050Z camera has also been reported to work with the C3040-ADL and C3040-ADU adapters.

C3040-ADL
For Camedia C2000Z, C2020Z, C2040Z, C3000Z, C3020Z, C3030Z, C3040Z and C4040Z cameras.
Used with a C-mount adapter and a trinocular head on AH-2, BH-2 and CH-2 compound microscopes, CK2 and CK40 inverted microscopes and SZH and SZ stereo microscopes.
C3040-ADU
For Camedia C2000Z, C2020Z, C2040Z, C3000Z, C3020Z, C3030Z, C3040Z and C4040Z cameras.
Used with a C-mount adapter and a trinocular head on AX, BX and CX compound microscopes, IX inverted microscopes and SZX stereo microscopes.
C3040-ADUS
For Camedia C2000Z, C2020Z, C2040Z, C3000Z, C3020Z, C3030Z, C3040Z and C4040Z cameras.
Fits the eyetube on CX31 and CX41 compound microscopes.
E10-ADU
For E10 and E20 fixed-lens digital SLR cameras.
Used with a C-mount adapter and a trinocular head on AX, BX and CX compound microscopes, IX inverted microscopes and SZX stereo microscopes.
E-330ADU1.2×
For E-330 digital SLR camera.
Used with a trinocular head on AX, BX and CX compound microscopes and SZX stereo microscopes.

C3040-ADL adapter

The C3040-ADL adapter is corrected for use with Olympus long-barrel objectives, as supplied with the BH-2, CH-2, CK2 and CK40 microscopes. The top end of the adapter screws into the filter mount on one of the CAMEDIA 2000, 3000 or 4000 cameras.

C3040-ADL adapter on a C4040Z camera

C3040-ADL adapter on a C4040Z camera, and a U-PMTVC C-mount adapter
Photograph courtesy of Greg McHone (earth2geologists.net)

The bottom end of the C3040-ADL screws onto the male C-mount on top of an MTV-3 or U-PMTVC C-mount adapter. The MTV-3 or U-PMTVC fits directly to a BH2-TR30 trinocular head, or alternatively to a PM-ADF eyepiece adapter attached to the vertical tube on a BH-TR45-W trinocular head (on a CH-2 or CK2) or a CH3-TR45 trinocular head (on a CK40 or CK40M). An NFK 1.67× or 2.5× photo eyepiece must be used in the BH2-TR30 or PM-ADF.

The bottom end of the C3040-ADL can also be fitted to an SZ-CTV C-mount adapter on trinocular versions of the SZ4045, SZ4060, SZ6045 and SZ1145 stereo microscopes; this arrangement does not use a photo eyepiece.

The C3040-ADL can also be used with a C-mount adapter on an SZH stereo microscope.

C3040-ADU adapter

The C3040-ADU adapter is corrected for use with Olympus UIS2 infinity-corrected objectives, as supplied with the AX, BX, CX and IX microscopes, and can also be used with SZX stereo microscopes. The top end of the adapter screws into the filter mount on one of the CAMEDIA 2000, 3000 or 4000 cameras. The bottom end attaches to a C-mount adapter fitted to a trinocular head.

One older system uses the U-PMTVC C-mount adapter attached to a U-SPT Single Port Tube, which is attached to a trinocular head. A PE 2× or 2.5× photo eyepiece must be used in the U-SPT.

Newer C-mount adapters attach directly to a trinocular head and do not use a U-SPT or a photo eyepiece.

C3040-ADUS adapter

The C3040-ADUS adapter is corrected for use with Olympus UIS2 infinity-corrected objectives, as supplied with the CX microscopes.

The top end of the adapter screws into the filter mount on one of the CAMEDIA 2000, 3000 or 4000 cameras.

The bottom end fits into one of the eyepiece tubes on the binocular head of a CX31 or CX41 microscope.

E10-ADU adapter

The E10-ADU adapter is corrected for use with Olympus UIS2 infinity-corrected objectives, as supplied with the AX, BX, CX and IX microscopes, and can also be used with SZX stereo microscopes. The top end of the adapter screws into the filter mount on an E-10 or E-20 fixed-lens digital SLR cameras. The bottom end attaches to a C-mount adapter fitted to a trinocular head.

One older system for AX, BX and CX microscopes uses the U-PMTVC C-mount adapter attached to a U-SPT Single Port Tube; the U-SPT is attached to a trinocular head. The IX microscopes use an IX-SPT or IX2-SPT instead of a U-SPT. A PE 2× or 2.5× photo eyepiece must be used in the U-SPT, IX-SPT or IX2-SPT.

Newer C-mount adapters attach directly to a trinocular head and do not use a U-SPT or a photo eyepiece.

E-330ADU1.2× adapter

The E-330ADU1.2× adapter appears to have been available only as part of the E-330 Micro Imaging System. The adapter attaches to the trinocular head of an AX, BX, CX or SZX microscope, and the E-330 body attaches to the top of the adapter.

Components of the E-330 Micro Imaging System E-330 camera on E-330ADU1.2× adapter

The kit used the E-330 because this was the first Olympus digital SLR with interchangeable lenses that incorporated Live View and a variable-angle LCD screen.

The E-330ADU1.2× adapter will probably work with any of the E-series digital SLRs that have interchangeable lenses. It can probably also be used with any Micro Four Thirds camera, by adding an adapter that allows Four Thirds lenses to be used.

Further information

For more information, see the following pages:

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Created 22nd July 2012   —   Updated 23rd July 2012
Copyright © 2012 Alan Wood

Olympus microscopes and photomicrographic equipment

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