Introduction
Five stage glasses or plates were available for the Macrophoto Stand VST-1. Some of these were also available for Olympus stereo microscopes, and some of the accessories for the stereo microscopes can be used with the VST-1. The glasses and plates are nominally 100 mm in diameter, and fit into the recess in the base of the Stand. There are grooves on either side of the recess to aid in removing the stage plates. The stage plates can be clamped in place by tightening the screw at the front of the base of the Stand.
One of the stage plates can be fitted with a mechanical stage for precise movements of small objects. A cup stage can be used to tilt the stage plates so as to move a three-dimensional object into the best position for viewing or for photography.
Frosted Stage Glass SP-BW-2
This is the stage glass that is supplied with the VST-1 Stand. It is opaque (so can only be used with incident lighting), made of plastic, and reversible. One side is matt black, for use with light subjects, and the other side is glossy white, for use with dark subjects.
| Diameter | 99.9 mm |
|---|---|
| Thickness | 5.7 mm |
| Microscope ref. | SP-BW-2 |
| Olympus no. | S-0757 |
| US stock no. | 104-131 |
| Introduced | 1972 |
| Discontinued | 2003* |
* Still available for stereo microscopes
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| Olympus OM Frosted Stage Glass (black surface) |
Olympus OM Frosted Stage Glass (white surface) |
Versions
Only one version is known.
Alternatives
Chinese eBay sellers often list alternative 100 mm black/white stage plates with various thicknesses.
Instruction leaflet
Instructions were not provided with this item.
Clear Stage Glass SP-C
This stage glass is made of transparent glass with a slight green tinge, and fits into the recess in the base of the VST-1 Stand. It can be used for either incident or transmitted lighting.
| Diameter | 99.5 mm |
|---|---|
| Thickness | 5.7 mm |
| Microscope ref. | SP-C |
| Olympus no. | S-0750 |
| US stock no. | 104-130 |
| Introduced | 1972 |
| Discontinued | 2003* |
* Still available for stereo microscopes
Olympus OM Clear Stage Glass
Versions
Only one version is known.
Alternatives
Chinese eBay sellers often list alternative 100 mm black/white stage plates with various thicknesses.
Instruction leaflet
Instructions were not provided with this item.
Stage Plate 28
This stage plate is made of metal, with a matt black finish, and has a central aperture 28 mm in diameter. It is 120 mm in diameter, and has a ring on its lower surface which fits into the aperture in the base of the Macrophoto Stand. It can be used for transmitted or reflected light. Near the outer edge there is a threaded hole and 2 guide holes for attaching the Mechanical Stage FM-II or the Mechanical Stage FM-III.
| Diameter | 120 mm |
|---|---|
| Diameter of lower rim | 99.9 mm |
| Diameter of central aperture | 28.0 mm |
| Thickness | 11.2 mm (outer rim) 5.0 mm (main area) |
| US stock no. | 104-132 |
| Introduced | 1972 |
| Discontinued |
Olympus OM Stage Plate 28
Versions
Only one version is known.
Instruction leaflet
Instructions were not provided with this item.
Stage Plate 45
This stage plate is made of metal, with a matt black finish, and has a central aperture 45 mm in diameter. It fits into the recess in the base of the VST-1 Stand. It can be used for transmitted or reflected light.
| Diameter | 99.9 mm |
|---|---|
| Diameter of central aperture | 45.0 mm |
| Thickness | 6.1 mm (outer rim) 2.9 mm (main area) |
| US stock no. | 104-133 |
| Introduced | 1972 |
| Discontinued | 2002 |
Olympus OM Stage Plate 45
Versions
Only one version is known.
Instruction leaflet
Instructions were not provided with this item.
Shade Stage Plate PM-LM-SP
This colourless, transparent plastic plate fits into the recess in the base of the VST-1 Stand, and is designed for use with the Lieberkühn Reflectors, Trans-Illuminator Base (with the Centering Mirror fitted) and the Trans-Illuminator, for soft, shadowless lighting.
It comes with 2 Shutter Interrupter Plates, 24.5 mm diameter, one black (for light subjects) and the other glossy white (for dark subjects), which fit into a recess in the centre of the plate.
Light from the Trans-Illuminator is reflected by the Centering Mirror in the Trans-Illuminator Base, passes upwards through the transparent area of the plate, and is then reflected down by the Lieberkühn reflector, onto the subject, which rests on one of the opaque interrupter plates in the centre of the plate.
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| Olympus OM Shade Stage Plate (black insert) |
Olympus OM Shade Stage Plate (white insert) |
Versions
Only one version is known.
Instruction leaflet
Instructions were not provided with this item.
Mechanical stages
The FM mechanical stages were originally intended for use with Olympus microscopes, but two of them were supplied as part of the OM system and fit the Stage Plate 28.
Versions
The first version, the FM, pre-dates the OM system. Two later versions, the FM-II and FM-III, were supplied as part of the OM system. The model numbers and version numbers are not marked on the Stages.
Instruction leaflet
Instructions were not provided with these items.
Mechanical Stage FM-III (FM-3)
The Mechanical Stage FM-III (or FM-3) replaced the FM-II as part of the OM system. It fits onto the Stage Plate 28 and enables precise positioning of subjects for high magnification work. It has a sprung clip for holding a 3″×1″ microscope slide or other objects.
Olympus OM Mechanical Stage FM-III (on Stage Plate 28)
There is just over 50 mm movement on the long axis, via a worm drive, and the scale is marked from 40 to 100 mm. There is just over 30 mm movement on the short axis, via a rack and pinion, and the scale is marked from 0 to 38 mm. On each axis there is a Vernier scale that allows measurements to be made to the nearest 0.1 mm.
The FM-3 was also listed as an accessory for the BHMJ metallurgical microscope and attaches to the detachable stage plate. The BHMJ plate is about 110 mm diameter and so is not compatible with the Macrophoto Stand VST-1 or with Olympus stereomicroscopes.
Mechanical Stage FM-II (FM-2)
The FM-II (or FM-2, US stock no. 104-135) was the first version supplied with the OM system. It was replaced by the FM-III. It fits the Stage Plate 28 and enables precise positioning of subjects for high magnification work. It has a sprung clip for holding a 3″×1″ microscope slide or other objects.
There is about 53 mm movement on the long axis, via a worm drive, and the scale is marked from 40 to 102 mm. There is about 27 mm movement on the short axis, via a rack and pinion, and the scale is marked from 0 to 36 mm. On each axis there is a Vernier scale that allows measurements to be made to the nearest 0.1 mm.
Olympus Mechanical Stage FM-II
The FM-II also fits the stage plate of the BHMJ metallurgical microsope, and it was listed as an accessory for the Olympus HS, HSB and HSC microscopes.
Mechanical Stage FM
The FM mechanical stage is shown in a catalogue that includes the E and F microscopes, so it may fit the interchangeable RS round revolving stage, which appears to have suitable attachment points. The same catalogue includes the HSB student microscope, which is “Designed to accept a mechanical stage, if desired”.
Olympus Mechanical Stage FM (photograph courtesy of Mark Dapoz)
It is not known if the FM fits the Stage Plate 28.
Cup Stage SZH-SC
The base of the Cup Stage fits into the base of the Macrophoto Stand VST-1. The top part of the Stage has a circular recess to take one of the stage plates, and holes for the stage clips.
Olympus Cup Stage
The lower part has a circular depression into which the top part fits. The top part is quite heavy, and its lower surface is hemispherical. This combination allows the top part to be rotated and tilted, and to remain in place by friction.
The Cup Stage is not mentioned in any of the Olympus literature on the OM macro equipment. It is considered to be an accessory for the Olympus stereo microscopes, but it can be very useful for getting a three-dimensional subject into the best position for viewing or to be photographed.
Send comments or questions to Alan Wood
Created 18th May 2001 — Updated 18th April 2026
Copyright © 2001–2026 Alan Wood