A surface-roughness/contour measuring apparatus (1) comprises: a stylus orientation changing part (9) by which a rotatable support part (62, 64, 71a, 71b) for supporting a cantilever (7) in such a manner as to be rotatable on a rotational axis extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cantilever (7) is rotated about the longitudinal direction of the cantilever (7), thereby changing the orientation of a stylus (11) provided at a forward end of the cantilever (7); and a balancing member (63) which balances the weight of the cantilever (7) about the rotational axis in order to eliminate the effect of the gravitational force acting on the cantilever (7) rotating with the rotation of the rotatable support part (62, 64, 71a, 71b).
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