Leica DFC280 User manual

Leica DFC
Cameras
Quick Start Guide

Leica DFC Cameras Quick Start Guide
All reasonable steps have been taken to ensure that this publication is correct
and complete, but should any user be in doubt about any detail, clarification
may be sought from Leica Microsystems (Switzerland) Ltd, or their accredited
representative. The information in this document is subject to change without
notice and should not be construed as a commitment by Leica Microsystems
(Switzerland) Ltd. Leica Microsystems (Switzerland) Ltd accepts no
responsibility for any errors that may appear in this document.
Leica Microsystems (Switzerland) Ltd, 2006.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed,
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language by any means or in any form, without the prior written permission of
Leica Microsystems (Switzerland) Ltd.
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FireWire ® and the FireWire symbol are trademarks of Apple Computer Inc.
Part Number: 12730012
Date: September 2006
Issue: 6
Software Version: 6.7
Leica Microsystems (Switzerland) Ltd
Stereo and Macroscope Systems
CH 9435 Heerbrugg
Switzerland
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Web: www.leica-microsystems.com

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Leica DFC Cameras – Quick Start Guide 1
Contents
Contents 1
Symbols 2
Safety concept 3
Introduction 6
Computer and Camera Requirements and Conditions 7
Overview of Leica DFC Cameras and components 8
Overview of Hardware and Software Installation 10
Installing Leica DFC Twain Software 11
Installation of Leica Camera Hardware 13
Setting up DFCTwain to view and acquire images 32
Hints and tips 37
Troubleshooting 38
Service 40

2Leica DFC Cameras – Quick Start Guide
Symbols
Warning
This symbol denotes information that must be read and
observed. Failure to do so may lead to malfunction of, or
damage to the equipment.
User information
This symbol denotes additional information or
explanation.
Action
This symbol within the text indicates that certain actions
must be carried out.


Leica DFC Cameras – Quick Start Guide 3
Safety concept
Intended use
Leica DFC Cameras can be attached to
stereomicroscopes, surgical microscopes, macroscopes
and classical microscopes in order to view the images
obtained on computer monitors. The images can
subsequently be processed, recorded and archived.
Use with surgical microscopes
The Leica DFC Cameras have not been tested for
compliance with IEC 601-1-1, FDA and FDI (USA), or with
medical products regulations. They may therefore only
be used in areas of surgical microscopy where the
regulations stated above do not apply.
Use contrary to intended use
The use of Leica DFC Cameras in a manner other than
that described in this user manual could result in
personal injury and damage to property.
Only use the plugs and cables provided. Do not attempt
to disassemble Leica DFC Cameras.
Maintenance
Only Leica-trained service technicians may carry out
maintenance.
Only original Leica replacement parts may be used.
Power Cables
Inspect cables regularly for damage.
Defective cables may endanger personnel directly or
make the camera and accessories electrically live,
thereby endangering personnel.

4Leica DFC Cameras – Quick Start Guide
Cable Routing
Route cables with care, so that users do not become
entangled, causing damage to the camera, damage to
other equipment or cause personal injury.
Liquids
Handle liquids with care to avoid spillage on any
equipment. It may cause damage to the equipment and
make the camera and accessories electrically live,
thereby endangering personnel.
Installation in third-party products
When installing Leica products into third-party products,
note the following:
The manufacturer of the complete system or its dealer is
responsible for following all applicable safety
instructions, laws and guidelines.
Disposal – The product must be disposed of in
accordance with locally applicable laws and
regulations.
Legal requirements - Adhere to general and local
regulations relating to accident prevention and
environmental protection.
Legal regulations
Observe the valid legal and country-specific regulations
relating to accident prevention and environmental
protection.
Additional note
This user manual is also available on the Leica DFC
Camera CD supplied with your Digital Camera system.
Visit our website regularly:
http://www.leica-microsystems.com
There you will find the very latest software drivers and
additional information along with the most recent user
manual and FAQs.

Leica DFC Cameras – Quick Start Guide 5
EC declaration of conformity
Leica DFC Cameras and their accessories are produced
with state-of-the-art technology and are supplied with
an EC declaration of conformity.
FCC Compliance Note (for IC 3D and IC D only)
This equipment has been tested and found to comply
with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to
part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to
provide reasonable protection against harmful
interference when the equipment is operated in a
commercial environment. This equipment generates,
uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not
installed and used in accordance with the instruction
manual, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. Operation of this equipment in a
residential area is likely to cause harmful interference,
in which case the user will be required to correct the
interference at his own expense.

6Leica DFC Cameras – Quick Start Guide
Introduction
Notes for the user
Before fitting a Leica DFC Camera and putting it into
operation, pay attention to the following points:
Read this user manual and follow the directions for
safety and care.
Read the user manual for your stereomicroscope,
surgical microscope, macroscope or optical
microscope, and observe the notes on safety and
care.
Ensure that the Leica DFC Camera is used only by
persons authorized to do so.
Ensure that the Leica DFC Camera user manual is
always available.
Check regularly that the users are complying with
safety requirements
If a fault that could cause personal injury develops
in the product, inform your local Leica agency or
Leica Microsystems (Switzerland) Ltd, Cambridge,
UK.
Ensure that no electrical connections come loose
during use.
Illustrations, descriptions and technical data are not
binding and may be changed without notice. You will
find the latest release of this user manual and other
information on our home page:
www.leica-microsystems.com

Leica DFC Cameras – Quick Start Guide 7
Computer and Camera Requirements and
Conditions
Processor Pentium class, 3 GHz or higher
Operating System Windows XP or,
Windows 2000 + Service Pack 4.
FireWire Connections 1394a (400Mb/s) OHCI compliant FireWire port, or
available space to insert a FireWire card in a desktop or
laptop
Graphic adapter Min: 128mb graphic memory
Graphic mode Best performance with 32bit true color
Main Memory 1 Gb RAM or higher recommended
Media CD-ROM drive and a hard disk to install the Leica DFC
Camera software.
Monitor Min: 19 inch, Resolution: 1280x1024
Storage + transport
temperature
-20°C - +55°C
Operation
temperature
+10°C - +40°C. For long time integration best signal to
noise ratio is achieved with operating temperatures
lower than +25°C.
Humidity Below 80%
Please see the section regarding FireWire connections in
Installation of Leica Camera Hardware/Connections on
the Computer
Windows 9x, ME and Windows NT are not supported

8Leica DFC Cameras – Quick Start Guide
Overview of Leica DFC Cameras and components
Cameras
This user manual refers to Leica DFC Cameras DFC280,
DFC290, DFC320, DFC300 FX, DFC340 FX, DFC350 FX,
DFC420, DFC420 C, DFC480, DFC490, DFC500, IC 3D and
IC D cameras
Leica DFC cameras are supplied with a 6pin – 6pin
FireWire cable, software and manual on CD
Earlier models of camera using a PCI Hotlink board are no
longer supported on the Leica DFC Camera CD.
DFC280, DFC290, DFC320, DFC420 DFC300/340/350 FX, DFC420 C,
DFC480, DFC490
DFC500 IC D, IC 3D
Camera Heads

Leica DFC Cameras – Quick Start Guide 9
Laptop Power Kits
FireWire Camera Laptop Power kits are available as
optional extras for users with laptops and PCs that
require an external source to power the cameras.
Please follow the instructions contained within the kit.

10 Leica DFC Cameras – Quick Start Guide
Overview of Hardware and Software Installation
1. Check for FireWire port or available space to add a
FireWire card in your desktop or laptop computer.
2. If necessary, install FireWire PCI card in a PC or a
PCMCIA card in a laptop.
3. If you have a Leica DFC camera already connected
to your computer, you will be asked to disconnect it
before software installation.
4. Install DFC Twain from the Leica DFC Camera CD.
5. If using with a microscope, fit your Leica DFC
camera to it with the appropriate C-mount.
6. Connect (or reconnect) the camera to your
computer with the appropriate FireWire cables
provided.
7. Windows® will detect the camera and install the
driver for it and each Leica DFC camera connected
for the first time.
8. After the driver has been successfully installed the
camera should be ready to use.
Instructions for installing the FireWire card and cables
and fitting microscope mounts follow below.

Leica DFC Cameras – Quick Start Guide 11
Installing Leica DFC Twain Software
Leica DFC Twain software is a program for controlling
Leica DFC Cameras. Leica DFC Twain software is unable
to run on its own. It forms the interface between host
application software and the camera, and enables you
to set the camera parameters. Host application
programs such as Leica Application Suite, Leica IM,
Leica QWin, Imaging ®, Photoshop ®, PaintShopPro ®
etc., use Leica DFC Twain software to view and capture
digital images.
More detailed information on using DFC Twain is
available in the Leica DFC Acquisition manual. This and
other manuals can be found on the Leica DFC Camera
CD, and are also installed in the Leica Microsystems/
DFCTwain folder in Program Files.
Before installing any software, please ensure that your
computer meets the minimum system requirements for
Leica DFC Cameras (see Requirements & Conditions).
Install service packs to update your operating system,
add memory, and, if necessary, clean up your hard drive.
Install the software and hardware only on a stable and
well organized computer system. To prevent any data
loss, always make backup copies of all your important
data before you start installing.
Before you can use any DFC cameras, check that the
camera is connected properly to a FireWire port on your
computer.
If you have other FireWire peripherals connected to
your computer. These may reduce the performance of
Leica DFC Cameras. It is recommended that you do not
use these peripherals at the same time as using Leica
DFC Cameras.
Introduction

12 Leica DFC Cameras – Quick Start Guide
For Windows 2000 and Windows XP, you are required to
have Administrative or Power-User privileges to be able
to install this software. If in doubt consult your System
Administrator.
Insert the Leica DFC Camera CD into the CD-drive.
If the CD does not run automatically, open the CD using
Windows Explorer and double-click on "Autorun.exe".
You can explore the CD to view any user manuals and
camera brochures.
Installing Leica DFC
Twain Software

Leica DFC Cameras – Quick Start Guide 13
Installation of Leica Camera Hardware
Leica DFC Cameras
Fitting the camera to the microscope
Leica DFC Cameras can be fitted to any microscope with
a C-mount interface and a video lens.
Leica DFC280, DFC290, DFC320, DFC420 & DFC340 FX
These Leica DFC cameras can be used with a 0.5x video
lens, but a 0.63x video lens is preferred.
The image areas obtained with the 0.32x, 0.5x, 0.63x and
1.0x video lenses are illustrated below:
Leica DFC300/350 FX, DFC 480, DFC490 & DFC500
These Leica DFC cameras are normally used with a 0.63x
video lens. If vignetting or color variation occurs, then
use the 1.0x video lens.
Use a suitable video
objective

14 Leica DFC Cameras – Quick Start Guide
Please read the safety notes in the surgical microscope
manual.
Leica DFC Cameras may only be used in conjunction
with surgical microscopes in applications where neither
the IEC 601-1-1 (FDA and FDI (USA) standards), nor the
medical product regulations, are mandatory.
For assembly instructions please refer to the user
manual for your surgical microscopes.
Using the C-mount, attach the video objective
(2) to the Leica DFC Camera (3).
Screw the video objective (2), with the Leica DFC
Camera attached (3), to the photo device (1).
Fitting in surgical
microscopes
Fitting to
stereomicroscopes

Leica DFC Cameras – Quick Start Guide 15
Positioning the Leica DFC Camera
To view the image upright and the right way round on
the monitor, you must first position the Leica DFC
Camera correctly.
The Leica DFC Camera fits onto the side of the HD
videotube or phototube and onto the top of all other
videotubes or phototubes (HV, HU and A) and trinocular
heads.
Position the camera so that the connecting cable
points upwards or backwards.

16 Leica DFC Cameras – Quick Start Guide
Leica DFC Cameras are also suitable for use with upright
and inverted microscopes (Leica DM-series).
For assembly instructions and the correct choice of C-
mount adapter, please refer to the user manual for your
microscopes or consult your Leica adviser.
You can obtain more information about Leica DM-series
microscopes on our website
www.leica-microsystems.com
Fitting to research
microscopes