The Leica M205 FA stereomicroscope is a fully automated instrument with a motorized z-drive, zoom function and filter wheel controls for performing multichannel experiments, including those requiring time-lapse. Fluorescent illumination is provided by a Lumencor Sola U-N LED light engine, which has a high-power light output in the range of 350-760 nm for excitation of a broad range of fluorophores. The available filter sets include DAPI, CFP, GFP, YFP, mCherry and Cy5. The featured 1x objective has a zoom range of 20.5:1 and a working distance of 61.5 mm. The system also includes a transmitted light base as well as an O-ring LED illuminator. Images are captured with a high-sensitivity Leica DFC7000T color camera.

Special features include an automontage software function for producing extended depth-of-focus images and Rotterman's relief contrast for visualizing transparent, unstained objects. 

Below are images of a gall wasp on a leaf's surface. The three samples on the left are conventional images. Note that part of each image is out of focus due to the complex shape of the specimen. On the right are images of the same samples generated with the Leica extended depth-of-focus function. Note that the entire volume of each specimen is in focus. Images by Michele Warmund

Below are fluorescent images of a leaf, left, and root.