An optical instrument designed for both visual observation and photomicrography of prepared surfaces of opaque materials, at magnifications ranging from about 25 to about 1,500 diameters. The instrument consists of a high-intensity illuminating source, a microscope, and a camera bellows. On some instruments, provisions are made for examination of specimen surfaces with polarized light, phase contrast, oblique illumination, dark-field illumination, and customary bright-field illumination.