Microscope Museum

Collection of antique microscopes and other scientific instruments

Microscope 362 (Nikon; microscope model L-Ke; 1970s)

Nikon was established in 1917 when three Japanese optical manufacturers merged to form a company known as Nippon Kogaku KK ('Japan Optics'), producing precision optical glass. Nikon headquarters at the time was within Tokyo Keiki at 120 Haramachi, Koishikawa-ku, Tokyo (Hakusan 4 chome, Bunkyo-ku today). In 1925, Nikon expanded to produce the first microscope with a revolving nosepiece and interchangeable objectives (the Joico microscope). The trademark JOICO was from the initials of Japan Optical Industry Co., a translation of Nippon Kogaku K. K., the company's name at the time. In 1945, with the end of World War II, production shifts to cameras, microscopes, binoculars, surveying instruments, measuring instruments and ophthalmic lenses. In 1946, the Nikon brand name was adopted for small-sized cameras. Microscope 362 is a Nikon “L” series microscope and should correspond to the version L-Ke, an advanced research microscope. This version uses the same Koehler illumination base as the S-Ke version, but has a longer range of focusing travel, centerable focusing condenser mount, and a dovetailed 5-place removable nosepiece (Figure 1). This is especially recommended for brightfield/phase contrast microscopy, in which each set of objectives can remain mounted on its own nosepiece for rapid interchange. The instrument contains a trinocular head with the serial number 85773, fitted with Nikon’s eyepieces Bi HKW10x. The instrument is adapted to phase contrast microscopy, with a turret phase condenser with the serial number 52100, also containing two dovetailed 5-place removable nosepieces. The instrument should be dated to the 1970s.

Note: this instrument was kindly donated by Dave Levell (Pembrokeshire, Wales) in May 2023.

Figure 1. Nikon microscope model L-Ke as engraved in a 1976 catalogue of the firm.