Phase contrast objectives

[Cellusome]

Can phase contrast objectives be used for normal brightfield without a real downgrade in resolution? I was planning to buy a microscope only including the zernike phase contrast condenser, but I'd like to also have the option to view specimen in brightfield.

[MichaelG.]

The downgrade in resolution is real ... but not generally sufficient to prohibit their use in non-phase conditions.

MichaelG.

[admin]

The phase plate in the objective will reduce the resolution somewhat. But I think that there are other factors that can outweigh the loss of quality (dust, mounting medium etc).... A wrong condenser aperture setting will also reduce the resolution and I still often use it, because I get a larger depth of field, for example.

Oliver.