Hi,
I am supposed to specify the magnification of an microscopic image used in my thesis. If the microscope I use (Biorevo BZ 9000 Keyence) applies a scale bar to the microscopic image, can I use the scale bar to measure the magnification? If I measure the size of scalebar on the image (2,3 cm = 23000 um) and divide it by the size indicated by the scalebar (e.g. 200 um), does this give me the magnification (115x)? Furthermore if I am supposed to specify the magnification of an image, does one normally mean the magnification in the picture in the print version (wich would be smaller as the size was reduced to e.g. 15%) or the magnification as in the original image of the microscope?
Thanks a lot!
All the best,
Rose
It is not advisable to use magnification when describing a picture. As you said, value of magnification depends on size of a final picture, so it is unreliable and difficult to compare. It is better to state a size of a micron bar (it is always right, in contrast to magnification). But you can say something like "images were taken at magnification of x1000", and it would mean the magnification shown by a microscope when pictures were taken - this magnification is right for pictures reproduced at "standard" photo size, 6"*4" (for most microscope manufacturers).
Hi, thanks for your answer. Unfortunately I am obliged to give the microscope magnification for a picture (aditionally to the scale bar). Do you maybe know how to calculate this for the digital microscope BIOREVO?
Thanks
Rose Fröhlich , your calculation was right, it was x115.
Magnification = (measured length of a bar)/(stated length)
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