Nikon has developed a robust, rigid vibration resistant design that greatly reduces vibration and improves operation.

Both the TS100 and TS100-F accept the Epi-fluorescence attachment, which has become a required accessory for many applications. All of Nikon's standard filter cubes (over 35 cubes listed) can be easily inserted into this attachment, which holds two cubes. A third open position with automatic dark slide allows quick transition to brightfield or phase contrast.

The coaxial coarse/fine focus knob is located in front of and close to the operator making operation at high magnifications easier than ever before. In addition, the angle of the eyepiece is inclined to 45° and the eyepoint height is adjusted to 400mm to allow for easy viewing in a natural posture either sitting or standing.

The stage features a low-profile design that is 195mm high, making it the ideal size for a lab bench or safety hood. Even cell cultures on the bottom of a tall flask or testing chamber can be viewed, because there is 190mm of space above the stage when the condenser is removed. Moreover, the acrylic stage ring makes it easy to confirm which objective is being used without removing the specimen from the stage.

To accommodate image documentation, Nikon offers a trinocular model. The TS100-F comes with a photo port that accepts various photomicrographic systems.

A complete line of accessories is available including a mechanical stage, warming stage, micromanipulators and epi-fluorescence attachment.

Phase contrast microscopy has never been easier, thanks to Nikon's New Apodized Phase Contrast objectives. This exclusive, patented technology solves the problem of producing halos in images where fine details are lost in high-contrast shadow areas. Instead, these objectives produce images with excellent contrast and a much wider tonal range, shedding light on minute details within a specimen.