Related Manuals for Zeiss AxioCam MRc5
Summary of Contents for Zeiss AxioCam MRc5
- Page 1 000000-1256-586 Number of this manual: B 48-0028 e Date of issue: 05.2003 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 Safety 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 Revision / Update Information 27.10.2003 Installation adapted from Product CD 07.2003 to the installation of the product CD number 15 of October 2003.
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Page 5: Table Of Contents
1.3 Setting up the Camera System ............7 Operating the AxioCam MRc5 on a PC ......... 8 Operating the AxioCam MRc5 on a PC using the FireWire PCI bus interface card ............. 9 Installing the PCI bus interface card on the PC ... 9 Connecting the camera to the PC...... - Page 6 Optical System ................33 Cleaning the Infra-red Barrier Filter ..........33 Important Note on the Use of C-mount Objectives...... 33 2 Image Acquisition with the AxioCam MRc5 ........34 2.1 General 34 2.2 Quick Guide to the First Image with AxioVision......35 The Workflow Standard .............
- Page 7 Table of Contents Gamma setting ................63 Linearity of AxioCam MRc5 ............63 Fluorescence images ..............63 Configurable toolbars for operating the camera......64 3 Trouble Shooting ................65 3.1 Software..................65 3.2 Image Quality ................66 4 Technical Data ..................67 4.1 AxioCam MRc5 ................
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Page 8: Important Note
It is recommended to use FireWire interface cards even with computers with onboard FireWire interfaces, if you cannot abandon "hot plugging". Carl Zeiss is unable to accept any liability for damage that results from failure to comply with these safety recommendations. 26.05.2003... -
Page 9: Installation Of The Axiocam Mrc5
To make it easier for you to set up the camera, please follow the instructions in these chapters step by step. In this manual the interface between AxioCam MRc5 and the computer is called FireWire. Synonym the terms IEEE 1394 and i.LINK are also used for this interface. - Page 10 Installation of the AxioCam MRc5 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 11: General Notes
Installation of the AxioCam MRc5 General notes Please ensure the notes described below are adhered to when setting up and operating the AxioCam MRc5 camera. All connectors must be firmly and securely attached. Please protect the data cable from excessive heat (e.g. halogen lamps, microscope fluorescence illumination). -
Page 12: 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 13: Recommended Hardware And Software
Installation of the AxioCam MRc5 Recommended hardware and software Xeon workstation 2 GHz or faster 1 GB RAM 120 GB hard disk 1280 x 1024 bit graphics adapter for real color CD-ROM drive One free FireWire slot (OHCI compatibel, 400 Mbits/s transfer rate) respectively a free PCI slot (PCI Local Bus specification rev. -
Page 14: Contents Of Delivery
Installation of the AxioCam MRc5 Contents of Delivery AxioCam MRc5 camera head FireWire data cable (6-pin to 6-pin) for power supply to the AxioCam MRc5 and for data transmission between camera and computer CD-ROM with device driver for AxioVision This Installation+Reference Guide Camera, data cable B 48-0028 e 10.2003... -
Page 15: Setting Up The Camera System
FireWire interface "onboard" When it is being operated on a PC, power is supplied to the AxioCam MRc5 via the 6-pin to 6-pin FireWire cable. On a notebook, a FireWire hub is also required to supply power to the camera. -
Page 16: Operating The Axiocam Mrc5 On A Pc
PC’s integrated (onboard) FireWire interface In both cases the AxioCam MRc5 is connected to the PC using the FireWire cable (6-pin to 6-pin) supplied with the camera. Power is supplied to the camera through the PC. -
Page 17: Operating The Axiocam Mrc5 On A Pc Using The Firewire Pci Bus Interface Card
Installation of the AxioCam MRc5 Operating the AxioCam MRc5 on a PC using the FireWire PCI bus interface card Installing the PCI bus interface card on the PC Static electricity can damage electronic components. To protect electronic components against static electricity, do not touch them until you have earthed yourself to the casing of the device. - Page 18 Installation of the AxioCam MRc5 FireWire PCI bus interface card To ensure that power is supplied to the AxioCam MRc5, no other devices should be connected to the FireWire or USB ports of the FireWire PCI bus interface card. If you wish to operate other FireWire or USB devices, you can configure the FireWire PCI bus interface card in accordance with the manufacturer’s...
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Page 19: Connecting The Camera To The Pc
To connect the camera to a PC, you require a FireWire cable with a 6-pin connector at both ends. This is supplied with the camera. Connect the FireWire cable of the AxioCam MRc5 to the PCI bus interface card. Connecting the AxioCam MRc5 to the FireWire PCI bus interface card Power is supplied to the AxioCam MRc5 via the FireWire interface card. -
Page 20: Operating The Axiocam Mrc5 On A Pc With Onboard Firewire Interface
AxioCam MRc5 for the first time, you should therefore check that the specifications of your PC’s FireWire interface correspond with the power requirements of the AxioCam MRc5. If you switch off the PC, the AxioCam MRc5 is also switched off. B 48-0028 e 10.2003... -
Page 21: Operating The Axiocam Mrc5 On A Notebook
FireWire interface In both cases the FireWire hub is also required to supply power to the AxioCam MRc5. The AxioCam MRc5 is connected using the cables supplied with the camera and the hub. Operating the AxioCam MRc5 on a notebook... -
Page 22: Connecting The Camera To The Notebook
To ensure the efficient use of energy resources, the FireWire slots on the notebook are not normally designed to supply power to peripheral devices. A FireWire hub should therefore be used to supply power to operate the AxioCam MRc5 on a notebook. B 48-0028 e 10.2003... - Page 23 The following components are required: FireWire hub with power supply (order number: 000000-0452-376) 6-pin to 6-pin FireWire cable (supplied with the AxioCam MRc5) to connect the AxioCam MRc5 to the FireWire hub. A second 6-pin to 6-pin FireWire cable (supplied with the FireWire hub) to connect the FireWire hub to the PCcard (CardBus) interface card.
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Page 24: Operating The Axiocam Mrc5 On A Notebook With Onboard Firewire Interfaces
The following components are required: FireWire hub with power supply (order number: 000000-0452-376) 6-pin to 6-pin FireWire cable (supplied with the AxioCam MRc5) to connect the AxioCam MRc5 to the FireWire hub. 4-pin to 6-pin FireWire cable (supplied with the FireWire hub) to connect the FireWire hub to the notebook. - Page 25 Installation of the AxioCam MRc5 Connecting the AxioCam MRc5 to the onboard FireWire interface of the notebook The camera is powered by the FireWire hub. The hub must therefore be connected to the power supply. If you switch off the FireWire hub, the camera is also switched off.
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Page 26: Mounting The Camera Onto The Microscope
"Resetting the AxioCam MRc5 firmware". As a rule, if the LED is green, this indicates that power is being properly supplied to the AxioCam MRc5 via the data cable. During continuous image acquisition, the color of the LED switches between red (exposure) and green (ready). -
Page 27: Second Firewire Socket
The AxioCam MRc5 is mounted onto the microscope and is receiving light. The AxioCam MRc5 is connected to the PC or notebook via the FireWire data cable. If you are operating the AxioCam MRc5 on a notebook, the FireWire hub is also connected. -
Page 28: Installing The Driver Software
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 29: Installing The Camera Driver With The Hardware Wizard
In addition to installing the AxioCam MRc5 driver, to carry out full installation of the camera you also need to check and, if necessary, update the camera’s firmware. - Page 30 Once you have connected the AxioCam MRc5, the Found New Hardware Wizard dialog appears on your screen. Please ensure that during all the steps below, the CD-ROM containing the AxioCam MRc5 driver is in your PC’s CD drive. The hardware wizard recognizes the new hardware (AxioCam MRc5) on the system, and searches for new drivers.
- Page 31 Select the option Search for a suitable driver for my device (recommended). Click Next. Activate the check box CD-ROM drives. Click Next. The following dialog window shows the actual path of the AxioCam MRc5 driver. Click Next. AxioCam MRc5 Installation + Reference...
- Page 32 Installation of the AxioCam MRc5 Under Windows 2000 Professional this dialog window is displayed. Click Yes to continue. Under Windows XP Professional the Hardware Installation dialog window is displayed. In this window click on Continue Installation. The last dialog window of the hardware wizard is displayed.
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Page 33: Installing The Camera Driver Using The Setup Program
In addition to installing the AxioCam MRc5 driver, to carry out full installation of the camera you also need to check and, if necessary, update the camera’s firmware. These tasks are performed by the AxioCam MRc5 installation program, which is described in this section. - Page 34 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 35 Under Windows XP Professional the Hardware Installation dialog window is displayed. In this window click on Continue Installation. Once the AxioCam MRc5 driver has been installed, the installation program checks the camera’s firmware. If the firmware needs to be updated, a message to this effect is displayed by the installation program.
- Page 36 Installation of the AxioCam MRc5 Start the systems Device Manager to check the installation: Click Start ⇒ Settings ⇒ Control Panel. Double-click the System icon. The System Properties dialog will be displayed. Select the property page Hardware and here the Device Manager button.
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Page 37: How To Correct The Driver Entry In The Device Manager
Windows 2000 Professional and Windows XP Professional. If the entry in the Device Manager must be corrected, i.e. if a question mark or an exclamation mark is in front of the AxioCam MRc5 entry, proceed as follows. Please make sure that during all the steps described below, the CD-ROM containing the AxioCam MRc5 driver remains inserted in the CD-ROM drive of your computer. - Page 38 Installation of the AxioCam MRc5 The property page General opens. In this case, reinstall the AxioCam MRc5 using the installation program (see section "Installing the camera driver using the setup program"). B 48-0028 e 10.2003...
- Page 39 After the camera driver has been installed and (depending on the operating system you are using) your computer has been restarted, the property window now contains the following entry: The entry in the Device Manager is now Carl Zeiss AxioCam MRc5. AxioCam MRc5 Installation + Reference...
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Page 40: Resetting The Axiocam Mrc5 Firmware
Installation of the AxioCam MRc5 Resetting the AxioCam MRc5 firmware If the color of the LED on the back of the AxioCam MRc5 does not immediately change from red to green but goes out after the insertion of the FireWire cable, this means that the AxioCam MRc5’s firmware is not functioning properly. -
Page 41: Notes On Maintenance
Objectives 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 42: Image Acquisition With The Axiocam Mrc5
2 Image Acquisition with the AxioCam MRc5 2.1 General The AxioCam MRc5 is a professional digital camera with a high-resolution 5 megapixel CCD color sensor for universal application in the field of light microscopy. The color camera is suitable for all situations where stained or naturally colored samples need to be acquired quickly and with very high camera resolution. -
Page 43: Quick Guide To The First Image With Axiovision
AxioCam MRc5 camera the active camera before proceeding. Start AxioVision by double-clicking on the corresponding symbol. Select from the Acquisition menu the Select AxioCam MRc5 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. -
Page 44: The Workflow Standard
Image Acquisition with the AxioCam MRc5 The Workflow Standard 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.). -
Page 45: Step By Step To The First Image
Image Acquisition with the AxioCam MRc5 Step by step to the first image 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. - Page 46 Image Acquisition with the AxioCam MRc5 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. NOTE: Only the display is adapted, the camera data remain unchanged.
- Page 47 The arrow keys and sliders can be used for fine adjustment of the exposure time. As a color camera the AxioCam MRc5 needs to perform a white balance for the image. If you select the automatic balance (Automatic button), the camera tries to determine an optimum value itself.
- Page 48 Image Acquisition with the AxioCam MRc5 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 49 Image Acquisition with the AxioCam MRc5 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 50: Adjust Property Page
Image Acquisition with the AxioCam MRc5 2.3 Adjust Property Page 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 51: Exposure
Image Acquisition with the AxioCam MRc5 Exposure 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 52: Automatic Exposure
Image Acquisition with the AxioCam MRc5 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 53: White Balance
Image Acquisition with the AxioCam MRc5 White Balance 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 54: Color Adjustment
Image Acquisition with the AxioCam MRc5 Color adjustment 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 55 Image Acquisition with the AxioCam MRc5 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 56: Frame Property Page
Camera Mode and Frame. Camera Mode RGB and B/W: With the AxioCam MRc5 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. -
Page 57: Acquisition Modes
Depending on the selected mode certain binning modes are available. Acquisition modes The AxioCam MRc5 essentially offers two acquisition modes: "Quality" mode and "Fast" mode. These modes are determined by the technical functioning of the sensor. - Page 58 Image Acquisition with the AxioCam MRc5 Selectable resolution in "Quality" mode ("Iinterlaced") – recommended for highest resolution of detail: Binning 1292 Standard single exposure at sensor’s highest 2584 1936 basic resolution (All modes in color) Selectable resolution in "Fast" mode ("Progressive") – recommended...
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Page 59: Binning
Image Acquisition with the AxioCam MRc5 Binning 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 60: Frame
Image Acquisition with the AxioCam MRc5 Frame 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. -
Page 61: General Property Page
Image Acquisition with the AxioCam MRc5 2.5 General Property Page On this property page you enter the basic settings for the camera. Digital Gain 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 62: 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 MRc5). NOTE: You can also achieve a bright image display with short exposure times by making the display characteristic curve steeper. -
Page 63: White Reference
Image Acquisition with the AxioCam MRc5 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 64: Shutter Control
Image Acquisition with the AxioCam MRc5 Shutter Control Via a supplementary cable the AxioCam MRc5 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. -
Page 65: Practical Notes On Operation In Axiovision
Speed of the live image There are three speed modes available for the AxioCam MRc5 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 66: Notes On Optimum Color Reproduction In Axiovision
To do so please use a well-suited image. Adjusting the display characteristic curve in AxioVision In order to achieve optimum reproduction of the AxioCam MRc5 data on a monitor, the display characteristic curve must be used to set "gamma compensation". The advantage here is that only the display is influenced and the actual data remain unchanged. -
Page 67: Information For Displaying 12 Bit Images In Axiovision
A PC graphics card cannot display more than 3 x 8 bits per pixel. However, as we have already mentioned, the AxioCam MRc5 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 68 Image Acquisition with the AxioCam MRc5 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.
- Page 69 Image Acquisition with the AxioCam MRc5 Best Fit calculates in the current histogram the values which exclude 1‰ of the pixels contained in the image. The color/color range calculated in this way is displayed on the screen. (You can adjust the value of 1‰ to suit your requirements).
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Page 70: Recommended Camera Settings
Image Acquisition with the AxioCam MRc5 Recommended camera settings Activate the Enhance Color check box on the General property page to improve the color reproduction quality (this slows down the live image rate on older PCs slightly as additional calculations are required). -
Page 71: Background Information
Fluorescence images Due to its high sensitivity and the long exposure times that are possible, the AxioCam MRc5 can also be used for fluorescence images in the field of microscopy. However, please bear in mind the following points: Reduced resolution: the color sensor uses a so-called Bayer color filter mask on the pixels in order to produce color. -
Page 72: Configurable Toolbars For Operating The Camera
Image Acquisition with the AxioCam MRc5 In the case of fluorescence, however, only very narrow-band light is emitted. This is received only by the color pixels that are sensitive to it. Consequently, the resolution of images of this type is reduced in comparison with white light. -
Page 73: Trouble Shooting
Please also pay attention to all the comments in the file ReadMe.TXT, which is displayed during the driver installation. AxioCam MRc5 does not appear in the menu of selectable cameras Make sure that the AxioCam MRc5 files have been installed in accordance with the installation of the software. -
Page 74: Image Quality
Trouble Shooting 3.2 Image Quality Sudden jolt, vibration or moving objects If the microscope is jolted whilst you are taking a shot, the image will show periodic interference. Repeat the shot and take care to ensure the conditions remain calm. Do not use the "Quality"... -
Page 75: Technical Data
2 x 2 Color 1292 2 x 2 Mono 2584 1936 1 x 1 interpolated Color (From half of sensor’s basic resolution) Read-out of sensor sub-regions: Random definition of regions of interest (ROIs) on the sensor AxioCam MRc5 Installation + Reference... - Page 76 Technical Data Pixel size: 3,4 µm x 3,4 µm Sensor size: 8,7 mm x 6,6 mm entspricht 2/3" CCD Sensor: ICX 282, Interline Transfer Spectral range: Approx. 400 nm to 710 nm with infrared barrier filter BG40 Read-out modes: "Progressive" / "Interlaced" Control signals: TTL-output for controlling external electrical shutters...
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Page 77: Spectral Sensitivity
Technical Data 4.2 Spectral Sensitivity Standardized at maximum amplitude It does not make sense to operate the AxioCam MRc5 (color version) without an infrared barrier filter, as color is only defined for the visible wavelength range. AxioCam MRc5 Installation + Reference... - Page 78 61 components 15, 16 configurable toolbars 64 hardware wizard 21 connecting to the notebook 14, 16 histogogram, influence 47 connecting to the PC 11, 12 histogram 46, 47 contents of delivery 4 contrast, change 61 AxioCam MRc5 Installation + Reference...
- Page 79 Index How to correct the driver entry in the optimum color reproduction 58 device manager 29 overexposure 47 image acquisition 34 PCcard interface on the notebook 13 image frame 48 PCI bus interface card 9 image orientation 54 practical notes on operation 57 image properties 59 property pages image quality 66...
- Page 80 Index system requirements 4 technical data 67 toolbars 64 trouble shooting 65 underexposure 47 warranty 2 weighting of exposure time measurement 43 white balance 45 white reference 55 Workflow 36 AxioCam MRc5 Installation + Reference...
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