The Clarity of Images from Early Single-Lens Microscopes Captured on Video

摘要

Microscopes of seventeenth century design are the starting-point for an investigation into the pioneers of microscopy. The techniques for using early microscopes can be exacting and diligence is required to derive the best results. Using modern digital techniques it has proved possible to recreate the observations originally made as far back as the 17th century. Accounts in standard books, and now in television documentaries, create an impression that the images obtained with early microscopes are invariably of low quality, exhibiting chromatic aberration and poor focus. Although the early microscopes are demanding instruments to use, this programme of research has shown that it is possible to obtain videomicrographs of remarkably high quality. Published images both from print and television are here compared with the best results that early microscopes can reveal.