When using a microscope, one must be careful not to damage the device or the studied sample. Proceed slowly and carefully.

The work desk must be adequately firm, as every vibration and movement of the desk are accentuated when studying small objects through a microscope. The microscope is carried by holding its body and supporting its base.

1. See that the shortest lens (smallest magnification) points downwards. Turn the lens dial, if necessary.
2. Place the sample on a preparation dish and cover it with a cover glass. Place the dish on the microscope’s base.
3. Turn on the microscope’s lamp.
4. Observe, if you can see the sample through the eyepiece. Move the preparation dish, if necessary.
5. Use the coarse focus knob to focus the lens.
6. If necessary, use the fine focus knob to focus the lens even more precisely.
7. When the view is precise enough, you can use the lens dial to select another magnification level. Focus the lens only with the fine focus knob from this point on!
8. To study very small structures, you can select the longest lens. Notice, that this lens will stay very close to the sample or even touch the cover glass. Because of this, one must be very careful when focusing the longest lens.

Illustration of steps of prepare microscope slide.