Camera Lucida, Principle & Parts of Camera Lucida - Biological Techniques.docx

*Camera Lucida
*Principle of Camera Lucida
*Parts of Camera Lucida

1. Camera Lucida
Camera lucida is a small instrument invented by H. W. William (1807) for
making accurate scientific drawings of microscopic specimens under
observation itself.
While using this device the image is projected on the table board and is
visible by the eye in the same field of vision.
Thus the image formed by the microscope appears to be on the paper fixed
on the table board.
Principle
It works on simple optical principle reflecting beam of light through a prism
and a plane mirror.
The microscopic image of the object is reflected by the
prism on the plane mirror and there from the image is
reflected on to the plane paper. The observer moves
the pencil on the lines of the image and draws an
accurate figure of the object on paper.
It gives the detailed and exact replica of cell content or cells on the paper
sheet like tracing technique.
Parts of a camera Lucida
There are mainly three parts in a camera lucida:
1)Attachment ring
2)The prism &
3)The plane mirror

2. With the attachment ring, Camera Lucida remains attached with the body
tube of the microscope. The prism rests just above the eye piece when the
instrument is attached with the microscope.
Observer now views the image of the object under the microscope through
the prism which reflects the image horizontally onto the plane mirror. The
plane mirror, attached to the tip of an arm rotates and set at an angle of 45
degree with reference to the prism and the plane mirror.
Histological & micro anatomical illustrations in text books and research
papers are often camera Lucida drawings.