The Enhanced Contrast Plan-Neofluar universal objectives with consequentliy minimized stray light: with a visible increase in contrast important for all contrast methods: brightfield, darkfield, phase contrast, DIC, fluorescence, Pol. They feature high resolving power and brilliant, rich-contrast, completely flat images for observation and documentation. Their high transmission of wavelengths from the near UV range (>40% starting at 340nm) and the use of glass types of low autofluorescence makes these objectives ideal for epi-fluorescence microscopy. Further special-purpose members of the family are EC Epiplan-Neofluar objectives for reflected-light work, the EC Plan-Neofluar Antiflex objective for reflection contrast, and EC Plan-Neofluar Pol objectives for the requirements of polarizing microscopy.