Binocular compound microscope - Biolam AY-12 - 1970-1980 - Russia - Lomo





Catawiki Buyer Protection
Your payment’s safe with us until you receive your object.View details
Trustpilot 4.4 | 143539 reviews
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
Vintage Russian LOMO Biolam microscope with binocular AY-12 head, tested and working, in good condition, supplied with a wooden case and an extensive set of optical accessories and original manuals.
Description from the seller
Special vintage Russian laboratory microscope from LOMO (Biolam), equipped with a binocular AY-12 microscope head and offered with an extensive collection of optical accessories, original manuals and a handsome wooden storage case.
A characteristic scientific instrument from the Soviet era, with a robust metal construction, high-quality mechanical components and a striking industrial appearance.
This microscope is not only interesting for enthusiasts of classic optical instruments, but also for collectors of scientific equipment, historical laboratory instruments and Soviet tech.
Russian LOMO / Biolam microscope
The microscope bears the markings BIOLAM / БИОЛАМ and LOMO / ЛОМО, referring to the well-known Russian manufacturer LOMO, based in Leningrad, the present-day Saint Petersburg.
LOMO was an important producer of optical instruments in the former Soviet Union and manufactured, among other things, microscopes, cameras and scientific optics.
The microscope is built in a light gray metal housing with black and silver-toned mechanical components. The heavy, stable base and precisely engineered focusing mechanisms are characteristic of professional laboratory equipment from this period.
On the side there is also a vertical designation RUNHARDT, probably from a supplier or distributor.
Binocular microscope head – LOMO AY-12
A notable component is the black binocular microscope head, equipped with the original Russian markings:
* LOMO / ЛОМО
* Type AY-12 (АУ-12)
* Label 1.5×
* Number N751245
This binocular head allows viewing with both eyes and is equipped with two slanted eyepiece holders.
The accompanying original manual, titled Binocular Attachment AY-12, is also present.
This documentation contains technical illustrations, descriptions of the optical construction and instructions for mounting, adjustment and use.
The presence of this specific documentation makes the whole set especially interesting for collectors and enthusiasts of historical microscopy.
Extensive collection of accessories
This microscope comes with a handsome wooden storage case with specially made recesses for the optical components.
The case contains various accessories, including:
Four loose eyepieces:
* 2 eyepieces marked K10×
* 2 eyepieces marked K7×
The eyepieces are supplied with their accompanying black protective caps.
Other optical and laboratory accessories:
* Various small optical parts and accessories
* Glass accessories and a round glass slide
* Blue round filter
* Small glass bottle with pipette cap
* Two small glass jars with marbled screw caps
* Prepared slides
* Cover slips, including a box labeled 100 Cover glasses – 18 × 18 mm
* Metal tool or key
* Wooden accessory case with hinged lid and fitted interior layout
The various accessories provide a nice picture of the practical equipment used in classic microscopy.
Original documentation
Particularly attractive is the presence of the accompanying historical documentation.
Included are, among other things:
1. Biological Microscopes – Type BIOLAM
An original English-language manual with a distinctive vintage cover, featuring a microscope illustration and the designation BIOLAM in Cyrillic script.
2. Binocular Attachment AY-12
A separate technical manual for the binocular microscope head, with illustrations, technical information and usage instructions.
These original booklets are a valuable addition to the whole and contribute to the historical and collectible appeal.
Technical and physical characteristics
* Microscope manufacturer: LOMO / Biolam, Soviet Union
* Extra marking: RUNHARDT
* Binocular head: LOMO AY-12
* Binocular factor: 1.5×
* Loose eyepieces: 2 × K7× and 2 × K10×
* Multiple objective revolver
* Mechanical stage
* Coarse and fine focusing
* Metal stand and stable base
* Light gray hammered paint finish
* Black binocular optics
* Various additional optical and laboratory accessories
* Original technical documentation
The exact magnification options depend on the mounted objectives and used eyepieces.
Special vintage Russian laboratory microscope from LOMO (Biolam), equipped with a binocular AY-12 microscope head and offered with an extensive collection of optical accessories, original manuals and a handsome wooden storage case.
A characteristic scientific instrument from the Soviet era, with a robust metal construction, high-quality mechanical components and a striking industrial appearance.
This microscope is not only interesting for enthusiasts of classic optical instruments, but also for collectors of scientific equipment, historical laboratory instruments and Soviet tech.
Russian LOMO / Biolam microscope
The microscope bears the markings BIOLAM / БИОЛАМ and LOMO / ЛОМО, referring to the well-known Russian manufacturer LOMO, based in Leningrad, the present-day Saint Petersburg.
LOMO was an important producer of optical instruments in the former Soviet Union and manufactured, among other things, microscopes, cameras and scientific optics.
The microscope is built in a light gray metal housing with black and silver-toned mechanical components. The heavy, stable base and precisely engineered focusing mechanisms are characteristic of professional laboratory equipment from this period.
On the side there is also a vertical designation RUNHARDT, probably from a supplier or distributor.
Binocular microscope head – LOMO AY-12
A notable component is the black binocular microscope head, equipped with the original Russian markings:
* LOMO / ЛОМО
* Type AY-12 (АУ-12)
* Label 1.5×
* Number N751245
This binocular head allows viewing with both eyes and is equipped with two slanted eyepiece holders.
The accompanying original manual, titled Binocular Attachment AY-12, is also present.
This documentation contains technical illustrations, descriptions of the optical construction and instructions for mounting, adjustment and use.
The presence of this specific documentation makes the whole set especially interesting for collectors and enthusiasts of historical microscopy.
Extensive collection of accessories
This microscope comes with a handsome wooden storage case with specially made recesses for the optical components.
The case contains various accessories, including:
Four loose eyepieces:
* 2 eyepieces marked K10×
* 2 eyepieces marked K7×
The eyepieces are supplied with their accompanying black protective caps.
Other optical and laboratory accessories:
* Various small optical parts and accessories
* Glass accessories and a round glass slide
* Blue round filter
* Small glass bottle with pipette cap
* Two small glass jars with marbled screw caps
* Prepared slides
* Cover slips, including a box labeled 100 Cover glasses – 18 × 18 mm
* Metal tool or key
* Wooden accessory case with hinged lid and fitted interior layout
The various accessories provide a nice picture of the practical equipment used in classic microscopy.
Original documentation
Particularly attractive is the presence of the accompanying historical documentation.
Included are, among other things:
1. Biological Microscopes – Type BIOLAM
An original English-language manual with a distinctive vintage cover, featuring a microscope illustration and the designation BIOLAM in Cyrillic script.
2. Binocular Attachment AY-12
A separate technical manual for the binocular microscope head, with illustrations, technical information and usage instructions.
These original booklets are a valuable addition to the whole and contribute to the historical and collectible appeal.
Technical and physical characteristics
* Microscope manufacturer: LOMO / Biolam, Soviet Union
* Extra marking: RUNHARDT
* Binocular head: LOMO AY-12
* Binocular factor: 1.5×
* Loose eyepieces: 2 × K7× and 2 × K10×
* Multiple objective revolver
* Mechanical stage
* Coarse and fine focusing
* Metal stand and stable base
* Light gray hammered paint finish
* Black binocular optics
* Various additional optical and laboratory accessories
* Original technical documentation
The exact magnification options depend on the mounted objectives and used eyepieces.

