Using Polarizing Filters to Reduce Glare

When using stereo microscopes with highly reflective items, it can sometimes be helpful to also utilize a polarizing filter. The images shown below were both captured with the SMZ-168 stereo zoom microscope and a Jenoptik Speed XT Core 3 camera.

Printed circuit board captured with brightfield only.

Printed circuit board captured using polarizing filter.

Polarizing filters can especially help to reduce glare when photos are being captured with the microscope. If you do not achieve the exact image you are looking for, try rotating the polarizing filter slowly while looking through the microscope.