Related Manuals for Zeiss Axiocam MR
Summary of Contents for Zeiss Axiocam MR
- Page 1 000000-1246-948 Number of this manual: B 48-0021 e Date of issue: 03.2003 Date of the last revision/update: 10.2003...
- Page 2 Carl Zeiss Vision or that these are not known to Carl Zeiss Vision due to gross negligence and that furthermore Carl Zeiss Vision has for these reasons refrained from eliminating these errors or inaccuracies appropriately.
- Page 3 p~ÑÉíó= Refer to the safety notes and instructions in the manuals of all necessary devices (e.g. microscope peripherals, cameras, computers, computer additionals, etc.) before installing and using the software.
- Page 4 oÉîáëáçå=L=réÇ~íÉ=fåÑçêã~íáçå= 27.10.2003 Installation adapted from Product CD 03.2003 to the installation of the product CD number 15 of October 2003.
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Page 5: Table Of Contents
Table of Contents q~ÄäÉ=çÑ=`çåíÉåíë= 1 Installation of the AxioCam MR ............1 1.1 Safety Regulations............... 1 General Notes................3 Backup Copies ................. 4 1.2 System Requirements ..............4 Contents of Delivery..............4 1.3 Setting up the Camera ..............5 Installing the PCI interface Board ..........5 Connecting the Camera ............ - Page 6 Table of Contents 2.4 Frame Property Page ..............38 Camera Mode................ 38 Resolution of the AxioCam MR......... 39 Binning................41 Size of the resulting files ..........41 Frame ..................42 2.5 General Property Page............... 43 Digital Gain................43 Image Orientation ..............44 Black Reference..............
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Page 7: Installation Of The Axiocam Mr
During continuous image acquisition the color of the LED changes between red (exposure) and green (ready). NOTE: In the description that follows the term AxioCam MR is used for both the color camera and the black/white camera. A distinction is only made where this is necessary for technical reasons. - Page 8 Limitation of liability No warranty shall be assumed by Carl Zeiss during the warranty period if the equipment is operated without observing the safety regulations. In any such case, Carl Zeiss shall be exempt from statutory liability for accidents resulting from such operation.
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Page 9: General Notes
Installation of the AxioCam MR dÉåÉê~ä=kçíÉë= Please ensure the notes described below are adhered to when setting up and operating the AxioCam MR camera. All connectors must be firmly and securely attached. Please protect all camera cables from excessive heat (e.g. halogen lamps, microscope fluorescence illumination). -
Page 10: Backup Copies
Otherwise it cannot be excluded that access to this data may be lost as a result of operational errors or hardware defects. Carl Zeiss accepts no liability for consequential damage resulting from insufficient data protection. -
Page 11: Setting Up The Camera
Installation of the AxioCam MR NKP= pÉííáåÖ=ìé=íÜÉ=`~ãÉê~= fåëí~ääáåÖ=íÜÉ=m`f=áåíÉêÑ~ÅÉ=_ç~êÇ= Static electricity may damage electronic components. Make sure you discharge any static electricity by grounding yourself to the chassis of the device before touching electronic components. Never touch the contacts of electronic components. In addition, it is advisable only to work on antistatic sheets. -
Page 12: Connecting The Camera
Installation of the AxioCam MR `çååÉÅíáåÖ=íÜÉ=`~ãÉê~= After closing the computer please connect the AxioCam MR's data cable to the PCI interface board. Connection of the AxioCam MR's components The power supply of the camera is provided by the interface board. An additional power supply is not necessary. -
Page 13: Mounting The Camera On The Microscope
Installation of the AxioCam MR jçìåíáåÖ=íÜÉ=Å~ãÉê~=çå=íÜÉ=ãáÅêçëÅçéÉ= Please use a 1.0x or a 0.63x C-Mount adapter to mount the camera on the microscope's TV port. Possible adapters (example): Port 44 Port 60 1.0 x No. 452995 (44 C2/3" 1.0x) No. 456105 (60 C2/3" 1.0x) 0.63 x... -
Page 14: Power Control
Installation of the AxioCam MR mçïÉê=Åçåíêçä= After switching on the PC the LED on the top of the camera is red. After the first initialization the color of the LED changes from red to green. During continuous image acquisition the color of the LED changes between red (exposure) and green (ready). -
Page 15: Installing The Camera Driver
For some of the Microsoft update components the installation instructions are often only available in English. If you are installing a Carl Zeiss product in English then this presents no problems. If, however, you are installing a... -
Page 16: Installing The Camera Driver With The Hardware Wizard
Installation of the AxioCam MR fåëí~ääáåÖ=íÜÉ=`~ãÉê~=aêáîÉê=ïáíÜ=íÜÉ=e~êÇï~êÉ= táò~êÇ= NOTE: For installation on a computer running under the operating system Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional and Microsoft Windows XP Professional, you need administrator rights. Enter the system using a user name with administrator rights, or consult your system administrator. - Page 17 Installation of the AxioCam MR The wizard detects new hardware in the system and searches for new drivers. Select the option Search for a suitable driver for my device (recommended). Click Next. Activate the check box CD-ROM drives. Click Next.
- Page 18 Installation of the AxioCam MR The following dialog window shows the actual path of the AxioCam MR driver. Click Next. Under Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional this dialog window is displayed. Click Yes to continue. Under Microsoft Windows XP Professional the Hardware Installation dialog window is displayed.
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Page 19: Installing The Camera Driver With The Setup Program
Installation of the AxioCam MR Click Finish to complete the installation. fåëí~ääáåÖ=íÜÉ=`~ãÉê~=aêáîÉê=ïáíÜ=íÜÉ=pÉíìé= mêçÖê~ã= NOTE: For installation on a computer running under the operating system Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional and Microsoft Windows XP Professional, you need administrator rights. Enter the system using a user name with administrator rights, or consult your system administrator. - Page 20 The text window can be closed by selecting this Window's symbol. Set the entry "Cameras and Framegrabbers" - "Carl Zeiss AxioCam" to This feature will be installed on local hard drive. Check the other settings and continue by clicking Next.
- Page 21 Installation of the AxioCam MR Click Yes to continue. Under Microsoft Windows XP Professional the Hardware Installation dialog window is displayed. In this window click Continue Installation. The system prompts for a restart, depending on the used operating system. After the restart the installed driver will be activated.
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Page 22: How To Correct The Driver Entry In The Device Manager
Multimedia Video Controller, proceed as follows. Please make sure that during all the steps described below, the CD-ROM containing the AxioCam MR driver remains inserted in the CD-ROM drive of your computer. Start the systems Device Manager: Click Start ⇒... - Page 23 Installation of the AxioCam MR Manager button. Double-click on Other devices and select the entry Multimedia Video Controller. The property page General opens. AxioCam MR Installation + Reference...
- Page 24 Installation of the AxioCam MR Click the Reinstall Driver... button. B 48-0021 e 10.2003...
- Page 25 Installation of the AxioCam MR The Upgrade Device Driver Wizard starts. Click Next. Select the option Search for a suitable driver for my device (recommended). Click Next. AxioCam MR Installation + Reference...
- Page 26 Installation of the AxioCam MR Activate the check box CD-ROM drives. Click Next. The following dialog window shows the actual path of the AxioCam MR driver. Click Next. Under Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional this dialog window is displayed. Answer the question by clicking Yes.
- Page 27 Installation of the AxioCam MR Under Microsoft Windows XP Professional the Hardware Installation dialog window is displayed. In this window click Continue Installation. The last dialog of the upgrade procedure will be displayed. Click Finish to complete the installation. AxioCam MR Installation + Reference...
- Page 28 Click Close to complete the installation. The entry in the Device Manager is now Imaging devices Carl Zeiss AxioCam MR. The system will be restarted and the installed driver for the AxioCam MR will be activated. B 48-0021 e 10.2003...
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Page 29: Notes On Maintenance
The camera can be mounted onto microscopes with standard TV-adapters with C-mount connections. Carl Zeiss supplies the camera complete with a pre-mounted infrared barrier filter, which offers the optical advantage for use on microscopes of a lower sensitivity to dust. -
Page 30: Image Acquisition With Axiocam Mr
O= fã~ÖÉ=^Åèìáëáíáçå=ïáíÜ=^ñáç`~ã=jo= OKN= dÉåÉê~ä= The AxioCam MR is a professional, high-resolution digital camera. It has been specially optimized for routine and research applications in the area of light microscopy. This is shown among other this by the fast live image, which is displayed on a PC monitor to allow the simple focusing and setting of the sample. - Page 31 AxioCam MR camera the active camera before proceeding. Start AxioVision by double-clicking on the corresponding symbol. Select from the Acquisition menu the Select AxioCam MR function. The image acquisition can also be easily done via the toolbar. Open the corresponding menu by clicking on The text below describes how to achieve your first image in AxioVision with just a few clicks of the mouse.
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Page 32: Quick Guide To The First Image With Axiovision And Axiocam Mr25 The Workflow Standard
Image Acquisition with AxioCam MR qÜÉ=tçêâÑäçï=pí~åÇ~êÇ= Live starts and closes the live window. Show live window properties opens and closes the window for adjusting the display characteristic curve and for controlling the camera (exposure time, white balance etc.). Snap acquires an image using the active camera. -
Page 33: Step By Step To The First Image
Image Acquisition with AxioCam MR píÉé=Äó=píÉé=íç=íÜÉ=cáêëí=fã~ÖÉ= Select the camera you want to use (if only one camera is installed, this step is not necessary). Set the light path to the camera. Then click on the live image icon. The live window is opened to display the... - Page 34 Image Acquisition with AxioCam MR Click on the icon Show live window properties to open the live properties. Here you can see the settings for the display of the image like Brightness, Contrast and Gamma. Settings made here are passed on the acquired image.
- Page 35 Image Acquisition with AxioCam MR Make changes for the camera settings on the following controls: The central element is the setting for the exposure time on a digital camera. The Measure button can be used to determine an optimum exposure time. Check the quality of the exposure in the live image.
- Page 36 Image Acquisition with AxioCam MR Move the sliders Gamma Contrast Brightness up or down to adjust the image. Good color reproduction on a monitor is achieved with a gamma value of around 0.45. To find the optimum setting for contrast and brightness, click on Min/Max.
- Page 37 Image Acquisition with AxioCam MR Captions and markings can be inserted using the Annotations window. Click on this icon to save the image you have generated to the computer’s hard drive. NOTES: Once you have found a good camera setting, you can save it with the Settings Editor in the Tool menu and load it again automatically in the future.
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Page 38: Adjust Property Page
Image Acquisition with AxioCam MR OKP= ^Çàìëí=mêçéÉêíó=m~ÖÉ= This property page contains a summary of the most important camera settings, which are constantly used during operation. The property page is splitted in the fields Exposure, White Balance (with color settings) and Histogram (for the display of an image histogram). -
Page 39: Exposure
Image Acquisition with AxioCam MR bñéçëìêÉ= The camera’s exposure time can be adjusted to the lighting conditions on the microscope using a slider or by entering an exposure time directly into the input field. When entering the exposure time manually you can state the value range directly using the abbreviations "ms"... -
Page 40: Automatic Exposure
Image Acquisition with AxioCam MR A setting of 200% means that 200% of the exposure time set in the display window or measured by pressing the appropriate button is used for actual acquisition. A setting of 50% means that 50% of the exposure time set in the display window or measured by pressing the appropriate button is used for actual acquisition. -
Page 41: White Balance
Image Acquisition with AxioCam MR tÜáíÉ=_~ä~åÅÉ= In order to achieve a color display which is neutral and close to reality it is necessary to balance the individual color channels against one another. For this, you need to use the pointer to click in the live image on an area of the microscope’s specimen, which is white, neutral and illuminated as evenly as... -
Page 42: Color Adjustment
Image Acquisition with AxioCam MR `çäçê=~ÇàìëíãÉåí= Clicking on the buttons allows you to change the weighting of the individual color channels manually. Using this method a white balance you have generated can be subsequently changed. Each click on the arrows shifts the weighting of the colors in the direction indicated. - Page 43 Image Acquisition with AxioCam MR If an image is underexposed, the histogram does not reach the right-hand edge of the display area. As a result optimum use is not made of the camera’s resolvable gray value range. You should therefore increase the exposure time or the amount of light in the microscope.
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Page 44: Frame Property Page
Camera Mode and Frame. `~ãÉê~=jçÇÉ= RGB and B/W: Two types of AxioCam MR are produced; one with a CCD sensor with a color mask on the chip (AxioCam MRc), and the other with a black and white sensor (AxioCam MRm). -
Page 45: Resolution Of The Axiocam Mr
Image Acquisition with AxioCam MR With the color variant (AxioCam MRc), you can use these setting options (RGB or B/W) to determine whether the camera should supply a color or a black and white image. This may be desirable for fluorescence images, or to reduce the amount of data. - Page 46 Image Acquisition with AxioCam MR black and white mode In the of the AxioCam MRc only the following image resolutions are available: 1300 x 1030 Interpolated image 650 x 514 Binning mode 2x2 324 x 256 Binning mode 4x4 black and white camera...
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Page 47: Binning
Image Acquisition with AxioCam MR _áååáåÖ= The process of Binning ensures that the information in neighboring pixels, in both a horizontal and vertical direction, is summarized on the camera's sensor. This increases image brightness in accordance with the number of pixels summarized. -
Page 48: Frame
Image Acquisition with AxioCam MR cê~ãÉ= In this field you can specify whether the frame or the entire area of the sensor is used for the acquisition. Refresh overview: This button makes it possible to insert an overview image into the area where the frame can be positioned. This makes it extremely easy to target your specific area of interest. -
Page 49: General Property Page
Image Acquisition with AxioCam MR OKR= dÉåÉê~ä=mêçéÉêíó=m~ÖÉ= On this property page you enter the basic settings for the camera. aáÖáí~ä=d~áå= Using the slider it is possible to change the interpretation of the brightness of the image data received. This allows you to display dark images as very bright images, which means you can acquire images with very high contrast using short exposure times. -
Page 50: Image Orientation
The maximum numerical pixel value generated is always limited to the maximum value of the analog/digital converter you are using (12 bits per pixel per color channel in the case of the AxioCam MR). NOTE: You can also achieve a bright image display with short exposure times by making the display characteristic curve steeper. -
Page 51: White Reference
Image Acquisition with AxioCam MR For this calibration process make sure that the camera is viewing a completely black image. For example, close the light path to the camera on the microscope. In exceptional cases it may be necessary to remove the camera from the microscope for this calibration process and to cover the sensor with the cap provided. -
Page 52: Shutter Control
Image Acquisition with AxioCam MR pÜìííÉê=`çåíêçä= Via a supplementary cable the AxioCam MR offers a TTL control pulse, which can be used, for example, to control a mechanical shutter (e.g. "Uniblitz") in synchronism with the camera’s exposure time. As soon as this output is activated you can select the polarity that you want to... -
Page 53: Filter Operations
Image Acquisition with AxioCam MR cáäíÉê=léÉê~íáçåë= NIR-Mode: The designation "NIR" stands for "Near Infrared". If you activate this mode, it is possible to achieve a further increase of up to 20% in the light sensitivity of the sensor in the range of red and near infrared wavelengths (from approx. -
Page 54: Practical Notes On Operation In Axiovision
There are three speed modes available for the AxioCam MR live image. If you use the pointer to click on the icon at the bottom edge of the live image, a pop-up menu with the possible setting options appears. -
Page 55: Notes On Optimum Color Reproduction In Axiovision
^ñáçsáëáçå= Below you will find a detailed description of how best to set up AxioVision to achieve optimum color reproduction with the AxioCam MR. NOTE: For an optimum color reproduction the monitor first has to be adjusted. To do so please use a well-suited image. - Page 56 A PC graphics card cannot display more than 3 x 8 bits per pixel. However, as we have already mentioned, the AxioCam MR is able to generate 3 x 12 bits per pixel. So that intelligent use can be made of this feature, the display's characteristic curve can be altered in AxioVision.
- Page 57 Image Acquisition with AxioCam MR You can now select the area to be displayed by dragging the black rectangles along the characteristic curve or carry out automatic optimization by clicking on the corresponding buttons. A histogram of the gray and color values will be displayed which makes the gray and color distribution visible.
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Page 58: Information For Displaying 12 Bit Axiocam Images In Axiovision 50 Recommended Camera Settings
Image Acquisition with AxioCam MR If you activate the Apply to all T check box the settings in all the acquired instants of exposure are applied to the relevant fluorescence channel. NOTE: You can get the best display of colored objects, if the gamma setting is in the range of approx. -
Page 59: Background Information
Many video cameras have built-in gamma compensation, as they are intended for use on video monitors. iáåÉ~êáíó= All versions of AxioCam MR have been designed to determine linear, quantitative measurement data, as such data is frequently used for tasks in the field of image analysis. Consequently, internal gamma compensation has been deliberately omitted from the AxioCam MR. -
Page 60: Trouble Shooting
Please also pay attention to all the comments in the file ReadMe.TXT, which is displayed during the driver installation. AxioCam MR does not appear in the menu of selectable cameras Make sure that the AxioCam MR files have been installed in accordance with the installation of the software. -
Page 61: Image Quality
Repeat the shot and take care to ensure the conditions remain calm. An example of a shaky shot Compare: An error-free image Fluctuations in illumination If the light source has a fluctuating quality of light intensity, stripes or blotches will show up in the image. AxioCam MR Installation + Reference... -
Page 62: Technical Data
Technical Data Q= qÉÅÜåáÅ~ä=a~í~= QKN= ^ñáç`~ã=joÅ=Ñêçã=sÉêëáçå=OKM= E`çäçê=sÉêëáçåF= CCD Basic resolution 1388 x 1040 = 1,4 Megapixels Pixel size 6,45 µm x 6,45µm Sensor size chip area 8,9 mm x 6,7 mm, equivalent 2/3" Spectral range Approx. 400 nm - 700 nm, BG 40 IR Barrier filter, Bayer color filter mask Max. - Page 63 Above frame rates are supported by the camera electronics at 20 ms exposure time. Computer hardware, operating system and application software may decrease the frame rates. Selecting a part of the sensor area can increase the frame rate. All specifications are subject to change without notice. AxioCam MR Installation + Reference...
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Page 64: Axiocam Mrm From Version 2.0 (Black/White Version)
Technical Data QKO= ^ñáç`~ã=joã=Ñêçã=sÉêëáçå=OKM= E_ä~ÅâLtÜáíÉ=sÉêëáçåF= CCD Basic resolution 1388 x 1040 = 1,4 mega pixel Pixel size 6,45 µm x 6,45 µm Sensor size 8,9 mm x 6,7 mm, equivalent 2/3" Spectral range Approx. 350 nm - 1000 nm, with BK-7 protection glass without IR filter (BG40 can be inserted if necessary) NIR Mode... - Page 65 Above frame rates are supported by the camera electronics at 20 ms exposure time. Computer hardware, operating system and application software may decrease the frame rates. Selecting a part of the sensor area can increase the frame rate. All specifications are subject to change without notice. AxioCam MR Installation + Reference...
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Page 66: Spectral Sensitivity
Technical Data QKP= péÉÅíê~ä=pÉåëáíáîáíó= Normalized to maximum amplitude The use of the AxioCam MRc (color version) without infrared barrier filter is not recommended as color is only defined for visual spectral range. The AxioCam MRm (black/white version) is used without infrared barrier filter. If necessary, an additional infrared barrier filter can be inserted between the microscope adapter and the camera. - Page 67 PCI interface board 7 center frame 42 checking the setup 8 image frame 42 C-mount objectives 23 image orientation 44 color adjustment 36, 47 image properties 50 color channel balance 35 image quality 55 color mode 39 AxioCam MR Installation + Reference...
- Page 68 Index infra-red barrier filter 23 settings 32 installing AxioCam software 9 shutter control 46 software problems? 54 spectral sensitivity 60 speed modes 48 limitation of liability 2 starting AxioVision 25 linearity 53 statutory liability for accidents 2 live image speed 48 step by step to the first image 27 logarithmic display 37 system requirements 4...