ABSTRACT: Should you use darkfield microscopes or bright field microscopes for a certain viewing project? If you are not sure which of these two types of microscopes to choose, the article below can provide you with the advantages and disadvantages of using darkfield microscopes in comparison to phase contrast and bright field microscopes.

Darkfield microscopes are special types of microscopes that use the concept of light contrast so that unstained and colorless samples can easily be viewed without much of a preparation. Under the principle of darkfield microscopy, samples are illuminated using a particular type of light that can not collected by the microscope’s objective lenses. As a result, the images viewed under a darkfield microscope appear on a dark or dimmer background. The specimens, on the other hand, appears very brightly against it.

There are certain pros and cons of using dark field microscopes. To know more about them, read the selection below:

The Pros of Using Darkfield Microscopes

1. Darkfield microscopes are very simple to use.

If you are to use a standard bright field microscope with an unstained or a colorless specimen, you won’t be able to view them effectively at all. With a bright field microscope, a transparent cell can’t be seen against the white field that was produced. For anything colorless to be viewed under these types of a microscope, they have to be stained first.

Staining is a microscopy skill that novices needs to master. Otherwise, they cannot properly use the microscope. But if a darkfield microscope is used instead, the need to stain the colorless samples are eliminated. All a user has to do is to put the slide on the stage and under the objective lens and they are done. The can simply view the specimen through the eyepiece and adjust the focus accordingly.

2. Darkfield microscopes have a high resolution capability.

When compared with phase contrast microscopes, darkfield microscopes enlarges their specimens to a much higher degree. It also capable of producing images with better clarity and with finer and clearer details. It is possible to use oil immersion objectives with darkfield microscopes. These objectives allows the user of the microscope capable of viewing bacteria and their nucleic activities.

3. With darkfield microscopes, it is possible to manipulate the light.

In order for users to see the specimen with higher intensity, the built-in lighting system of a darkfield microscope can be adjusted accordingly. As such, the specimen’s color temperature, angle, and frequency can be evaluated more efficiently with it. This feature is not entirely possible when using phase contrast microscopes.

Cons

1. Darkfield microscopes may require serious fine tuning.

While it is easy to view transparent samples under a darkfield microscope, fine tuning the image may require a little skill. But this actually not a major disadvantage, because almost all microscopes have to be especially calibrated on its first use. With a darkfield microscope, you have to be adept with using the device so as to achieve an image of superior quality.

2. Darkfield microscopes need a dedicated condenser.

When you are using darkfield microscopes and you need to switch to the bright field mode, you need to change condensers. You can’t possibly use the condenser for the bright field mode to be used in darkfield applications, for the simple fact that the two work opposite each another. This could be a little inconvenience for users, especially if they need to switch from one mode to another like most good quality microscopes allow.

3. There are colors that are undistinguishable in the darkfield mode.

When you use darkfield microscopes, it is almost impossible to analyze certain shading or contrast of the specimen being viewed. The distinctly gray or while elements seen in a bright field or a phase contrast microscope can’t be differentiated under darkfield microscopes.

4. Darkfield microscopes are limited to black and white.

While it is sometimes possible to view the actual color of the specimen using a darkfield microscope, the colors are not necessarily presented in full accuracy. Red sometimes appears as dark brown. The specimen’s dark features that can easily be distinguished under a bright field microscope is invisible under a darkfield microscope.

These are the different pros and cons of using darkfield microscopes. And so, if you can buy a microscope that can work in multiple modes rather than in a fully dedicated darkfield setup, those devices are more preferable. Dual mode microscopes allow you to experience the best of both the bright field and darkfield worlds.