Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM) and its application to fossil dinoflagellate cysts

CLSM provides:

high resolution blur-free images;
high depth of focus extended focus images approaching SEM quality without special object preparation;
easy visualisation of 3D structures by stereo pairs, red/green anaglyphs, 3D reconstructions, animation;
concurrent analysis of surface structures and internal structures (e.g. cavation, cyst wall structures);
... and all the other advantages (disadvantages and risks) of working with digital images instead of negatives, slides and photo prints.