At Microscope Marketplace, we believe understanding your microscope makes you a better, more confident user—and today’s blog is all about doing exactly that.

In a recent video, Chad Potts and Scott Munday, owners of Munday Scientific and Microscope Marketplace, walk through the disassembly and reassembly of an Olympus IX71 fluorescence microscope, while also highlighting several key features and “need-to-know” tips along the way.

Whether you’re a lab manager, researcher, pathologist, or technician who works with inverted microscopes, this breakdown will help you better understand how the IX71 is built, how it functions, and how to safely work on it.

Getting Familiar with the Olympus IX71

The Olympus IX71 is a highly respected inverted fluorescence microscope known for its modular design, smooth ergonomics, and adaptability across brightfield, phase contrast, and fluorescence applications. One of its biggest strengths is how service-friendly it is when you understand the correct order and handling of components.

In the video, Chad and Scott take time to explain why parts are designed the way they are—not just how to remove them.

Phase Contrast: Matching and Alignment Matters

A major focus of the video is phase contrast, specifically:

• Phase rings and phase prisms

• Matching phase objectives to the correct phase annuli

• Proper alignment techniques

This is a common pain point in labs. If phase objectives don’t match the corresponding phase rings, image quality suffers immediately. Chad walks through how to identify the correct components and explains alignment in a way that’s easy to follow, even if you don’t adjust phase systems every day.

Ergonomics That Actually Help

One standout feature Chad points out is the tilting ergonomic head on the IX71. This is more than a comfort upgrade—it reduces strain during long sessions at the scope and allows users of different heights to work efficiently without constant adjustment.

Small ergonomic features like this make a big difference in real-world lab use.

Easy Sample Access with the Illumination Column

Another practical tip covered is how to move the illumination column out of the way to quickly place or remove samples from the stage. This is especially helpful when working with:

• Culture dishes

• Multi-well plates

• Live-cell applications

It’s a simple adjustment that many users don’t realize they can make safely and easily.

Stage Removal and Reinstallation

Chad and Scott demonstrate:

• How to remove the stage

• How to reinstall it correctly

• What to watch out for during reassembly

Understanding this process is critical for cleaning, service, transport, or upgrades. Done incorrectly, stages can be misaligned or damaged—but the IX71 is very forgiving when handled properly.

Controlling Illumination: Halogen & Brightfield

The video also covers halogen and brightfield illumination controls, helping users understand how light intensity and settings affect contrast and image clarity. These fundamentals are often overlooked but are key to getting the most out of the microscope without overcomplicating your workflow.

Fluorescence Components: What to Remove and How

Fluorescence systems can feel intimidating, but Chad breaks it down step by step:

• Removing and reinstalling the fluorescence illuminator

• Understanding the fluorescence cube turret

• Safely handling the mercury power supply

They also explain that mercury power supplies can be swapped out for LED illumination if you’re looking for lower maintenance, longer life, or a more modern setup—something many labs are considering today.

Built to Be Worked On

One thing that becomes very clear in this video: the Olympus IX71 was designed to be serviced, upgraded, and adapted. When you understand the system, it’s not intimidating—it’s empowering.

If you’re responsible for maintaining your lab’s microscope, this knowledge can save time, reduce downtime, and help you communicate more effectively with service providers.

Have Questions? We’re Here to Help

If you have questions about the Olympus IX71, phase contrast alignment, fluorescence configurations, or whether an LED upgrade makes sense for your lab, reach out to us. That’s what we do every day at Microscope Marketplace and Munday Scientific.

We hope this video—and this blog—helps you feel more confident working with your microscope.

▶️ Watch the Full Video

Disassembling and Reassembling the Olympus IX71 Fluorescence Microscope
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBhJQtJnRfc