Hi Vic - I would recommend that if you are going to look at cross-sections, you cover the range of 25X - 1500X. Anything greater than 1500X you need absolutely no vibrations in the room and a very flat sample (I use the SEM if I need to go above 1500X). I cover this range with the following lenses: 25X, 50X, 100X, 500X, 800X, 1000X, 1250X, 1500X. We have slowly acquired these lenses over time and today's microscopes allow for multiple lenses to be mounted concurrently. If your budget is tight, then you can do without the 800X and 1250X lenses. Remember that if the cross-section isn't prepared correctly, your microscope won't be much use. Good Luck. Dave Hillman Rockwell Collins [log in to unmask] Victor Hernandez <[log in to unmask]> Sent by: TechNet <[log in to unmask]> 02/13/2009 12:14 PM Please respond to TechNet E-Mail Forum <[log in to unmask]>; Please respond to [log in to unmask] To [log in to unmask] cc Subject Re: [TN] microscopes The size of the artifact being interrupted determines the magnification. I use a low mag stereo image to establish the region of interest then a high mag for clarity such as 500, 1Kx or even in the SEM. vic, -----Original Message----- From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of John Foster Sent: Friday, February 13, 2009 12:02 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: [TN] microscopes What kind of magnification would people recommend for looking at cross sections. I see on the cracked enig pictures a 20uM scale. What kind of magnification was used to get that shot? We are getting ready to buy a new microscope and I have the luxury of calling out some of the specs as long as they dont' cost a fortune. Any input is apprectiated Thanks --------------------------------------------------- Technet Mail List provided as a service by IPC using LISTSERV 15.0 To unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF Technet To temporarily halt or (re-start) delivery of Technet send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet NOMAIL or (MAIL) To receive ONE mailing per day of all the posts: send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet Digest Search the archives of previous posts at: http://listserv.ipc.org/archives Please visit IPC web site http://www.ipc.org/contentpage.asp?Pageid=4.3.16 for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-615-7100 ext.2815 ----------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- Technet Mail List provided as a service by IPC using LISTSERV 15.0 To unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF Technet To temporarily halt or (re-start) delivery of Technet send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet NOMAIL or (MAIL) To receive ONE mailing per day of all the posts: send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet Digest Search the archives of previous posts at: http://listserv.ipc.org/archives Please visit IPC web site http://www.ipc.org/contentpage.asp?Pageid=4.3.16 for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-615-7100 ext.2815 ----------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- Technet Mail List provided as a service by IPC using LISTSERV 15.0 To unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF Technet To temporarily halt or (re-start) delivery of Technet send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet NOMAIL or (MAIL) To receive ONE mailing per day of all the posts: send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet Digest Search the archives of previous posts at: http://listserv.ipc.org/archives Please visit IPC web site http://www.ipc.org/contentpage.asp?Pageid=4.3.16 for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-615-7100 ext.2815 -----------------------------------------------------