Polaroid DMC User manual

Digital Microscope Camera
(DMC)
User Guide

i
Quick startup iv
Introduction 1
Introducing the DMC Digital Microscope Camera 1
System requirements 3
PC systems 3
PowerMac or PowerPC systems 3
Technical assistance 4
Using this manual 4
Setting up 7
Unpac ing 7
Camera switches and connectors 8
Setting the SCSI ID 10
Attaching the camera to your microscope 11
Connecting the camera to your PC 13
Installing a SCSI adapter 13
If the DMC is the only SCSI device 14
If your PC has other SCSI devices 15
Installing the DMC software on your PC 16
Table of Contents

ii
Connecting the camera to your PowerMac or PowerPC 18
If the DMC is the only SCSI device 19
If your PowerMac or PowerPC has other SCSI devices 20
Connecting to an Apple PowerBoo 21
Installing DMC software on your PowerMac/PowerPC 22
Parfocalizing 24
Using the DMC camera 25
Typical DMC wor flow 25
Turning on the camera 26
Starting the DMC application 26
Framing and focusing the image 28
Selecting picture options 28
Shutter speed 29
Film speed 30
Flash mode 30
Color temperature 30
Color or blac -and-white 30
Resolution 30
Using the focus indicator 31
Capturing the picture 32
Capturing and enhancing 33
Capturing and transferring to an application 34
Capturing and saving directly to dis 34

iii
Maintenance and troubleshooting 5
Caring for the DMC camera 35
Troubleshooting SCSI connection problems 36
PowerMac/PowerPC SCSI ID conflicts 36
Windows 95 SCSI ID registry entries 36
SCSI drivers 36
DMC full one-year warranty 37
Service 37
Radio and television interference 38
DMC camera specifications 41
Software license agreement 4
Polaroid Offices and Service Centers 47
Index 49

iv
Quick startup
For more information, see the page indicated.
Setting up
Page
PC/Windows
Page
(PowerMac/
PowerPC) Steps
7 7 1 Unpac the DMC camera.
10 10 2 Set the cameras SCSI ID.
11 11 3 Attach the camera to the microscope.
13 13 3 Connect the camera to your computer.
16 22 4 Install the DMC software on your
computer.
Taking pictures
Page Steps
26 1 Turn on the camera.
26 2 Start your computer, and start your
application or DMC Direct.
28 3 Frame and focus the image.
28 4 Select picture options.
32 5 Capture, enhance and save the picture.

Introduction 1
Introduction
Introducing the DMC Digital Microscope Camera
The Polaroid DMC Digital Microscope Camera captures
high-quality digital color images from light microscopes and
other optical instruments. The camera uses a unique, million-
pixel, 12.15mm CCD (charge coupled device) to capture
pictures with up to 16.7 million colors. It transfers these
pictures in seconds to an IBM-PC-, PowerMac- or PowerPC-
compatible computer as high resolution (800x600 pixels) or
super-high resolution (1600x1200 pixels) TIFF images.
Dmccam.ai

2
Using the Microsoft Windows or PowerMac/PowerPC
software provided with the camera, you can display a
viewfinder image on your computer screen, choose resolution
and other options, enhance color balance, brightness,
contrast and sharpness, then transfer the picture to your
image-processing application or a dis drive.
The camera has a SCSI-2 connection requiring no frame-
grabber or other special hardware or software. (For use with
IBM PCs or PC-compatible computers, the camera requires a
SCSI adapter board.)
Using a standard .63, 1:1, or larger c-mount adapter, the
camera attaches easily to microscopes for most types of
transmitted-light and reflected-light microscopy.
The camera also features a tripod mount and x-sync
connection for use with standard c-mount lenses on a
copystand.
For more detailed camera specifications, see page 41.

Introduction 3
System requirements
Using the DMC software to view and capture pictures ta en
with the DMC camera requires the following hardware and
software. If you do not have the required configuration,
contact your Polaroid dealer.
· An IBM PC or compatible computer, with at least a 66 MHz
Pentium-class processor and 20 megabytes (MB) of RAM (32
MB recommended).
· Microsoft Windows 95 or Windows NT operating system.
· A monitor and graphics adapter capable of displaying 24-bit
color (16.7 million colors) is recommended for optimal
display of DMC pictures. (DMC software can be used with
monitors and adapters capable of displaying fewer colors,
but the quality of pictures displayed on the monitor may not
be satisfactory.)
· An ASPI-compliant SCSI adapter and the appropriate
Windows 95 or Windows NT drivers.
· A TWAIN-compliant image-processing application, such as
Adobe Photoshop, is recommended for wor ing with DMC
pictures. If you do not have such an application, you can use
DMC Direct (provided and installed as part of the DMC
software) to capture pictures and save them on your
computers hard drive.)
· Light microscope with a .63 or larger C-mount adapter
· A PowerMac or PowerPC computer or compatible with a
PowerPC processor and 20 megabytes (MB) of RAM. (32
MB is recommended.)
· Apple system software version 7.5 or later.
· An image-processing application, such as Adobe Photoshop,
compatible with Adobe Photoshop plug-in modules, is
PC systems
PowerMac or
PowerPC systems

4
recommended for wor ing with DMC pictures. If you do not
have such an application, you can use DMC Direct (provided
and installed as part of the DMC software) to transfer
pictures from the camera and to control the camera from the
computer.
· Light microscope with a .63 or larger C-mount adapter
Technical assistance
Call Polaroid toll-free from within the U.S.A. at 1-800-432-
5355, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Eastern
time. Polaroid offers a variety of customer support services.
Call for details and applicable fees.
In Canada, call toll-free at 1-800-268-6970. Outside the
U.S.A. and Canada, contact the Polaroid office nearest you.
See Polaroid Offices and Service Centers on page 47.
Technical support is also available over the Internet. Connect
to the Polaroid World Wide Web site at
http://www.polaroid.com.
Using this manual
This boo explains how to set up and use your Polaroid
DMC camera. It also includes the procedures for installing
the DMC software on your PowerMac or PowerPC
computer or PC, and for ta ing and saving pictures. To use
these instructions, you should be familiar with the operation
of your PowerMac/PowerPC computer or PC with the
Microsoft Windows 95 operating system.
Heres what youll find in this boo :
Quick startup: Summarizes instructions for setting up the
DMC camera and software, and for ta ing pictures and
transferring them to the computer.

Introduction 5
Introduction: Briefly describes the DMC camera, lists system
requirements and explains how to obtain technical
assistance.
Setting up: Explains how to install the DMC software on
your PC or PowerMac/PowerPC computer, and how to
connect the DMC camera to your computer.
Using the DM camera: Provides detailed instructions for
ta ing and enhancing pictures.
Maintenance and troubleshooting: Contains camera care
information, solutions to problems that might occur, and
warranty and service information.
DM camera specifications: Detailed camera operating and
physical characteristics.
Software license agreement: License agreement for the DMC
software accompanying the camera.
Polaroid Offices and Service enters: Telephone numbers of
Polaroid locations throughout the world in case you need
service or support.

Setting up 7
Setting up
Unpacking
Listed below are the components in the DMC camera
pac age. If any is missing, contact your dealer immediately.
=>
?@
Pac ag8.cdr
aDM camera
bPower adapter: Provides surge-protected 5.8VDC, 3-amp
power for the camera from 110-240VAC power outlets.

8
cS SI cable (2 meter) and 25/50 DB to HD S SI adapter:
Connect the DMC camera to a PowerMac/PowerPC
computer or the PC SCSI-2 adapter.
dSoftware diskettes: TWAIN driver (for Windows 95 and
Windows NT only), DMC Plug-in software for
PowerMac/PowerPC systems, and Polaroid DMC Direct
camera utility software for Windows 95, Windows NT, and
PowerMac/ PowerPC systems.
The pac age also contains this users guide, not shown in the
illustration.
WARNING: NOTHING INSIDE THE DMC CAMERA IS
USER-SERVICEABLE. TO AVOID THE POSSIBILITY OF
DAMAGING THE CAMERA OR VOIDING THE
WARRANTY, DO NOT DISASSEMBLE THE CAMERA.
Camera switches and connectors
Camdetl.ai
aS SI ID selector: Sets the SCSI address of the camera (see
page 10).
bS SI connector: Connects to the computer SCSI port via the
SCSI cable provided.
cTermination selector: Turns camera SCSI termination on or
off (normally set to On as shown).

Setting up 9
dX-sync connector: Connector for electronic flash, if used
with the camera.
ePower switch: Turns the camera on and off.
fPower indicator LED: Lights to indicate that camera is
powered on.
gPower connector: Connection for the AC power adapter.
Camdetl2.ai
hTripod mount: Standard mount for attaching the camera to
a copystand or tripod.
i-mount: Accepts standard c-mount adapter for attachment
to microscopes, other optical instruments and c-mount
lenses.

10
Setting the SCSI ID
The DMC camera is a Small Computer Systems Interface
(SCSI) device. You can connect up to seven SCSI devices to
your computer, one to another in a SCSI chain.
The DMC cameras SCSI ID is preset to 4 at the factory. You
do not need to change this number unless another SCSI
device in the chain is already using it. To determine whether
4 is already being used, chec the user guides of the other
devices or run a SCSI utility program.
WARNING: EACH SCSI DEVICE CONNECTED TO
YOUR COMPUTER MUST HAVE ITS OWN UNIQUE ID
NUMBER SO YOUR COMPUTER CAN DISTINGUISH IT
FROM OTHER ATTACHED SCSI DEVICES. USING TWO
OR MORE DEVICES WITH THE SAME ID NUMBER
CAN CAUSE THEM TO MALFUNCTION. YOU CAN
LOSE DATA AS A RESULT.
If the DMC is your only external SCSI device or no other
device in the chain is using ID 4, s ip the rest of this section
and go on to Attaching the camera to your microscope on
page 11. If you must change the cameras SCSI ID, use the
following steps:
1Ma e sure the camera power is off and the camera is
disconnected from the computer. If the camera is on, use the
power switch (a) to turn it off.
Pwrswit.ai

Setting up 11
2Insert a small screwdriver into the slot of the SCSI ID
selector on the camera and rotate the selector until the arrow
points to the desired SCSI ID.
Scsiwit.ai
Note: Do not use 7 or 0, which are customarily reserved for
the computer and for PowerMac/PowerPC hard drives. If
possible, you should also avoid SCSI ID 3, which is often
used for internal CD-ROM drives.
ttaching the camera to your microscope
Note: Attaching the DMC camera to your microscope
requires a .63 or 1:1 c-mount adapter (not provided)
compatible with your microscope. Do not use a .5 c-mount
adapter, because it will produce image vignetting (dar
corners). Refer to the microscopes instruction manual or
contact the microscope manufacturer for more information
about c-mounts.
aution: Before attaching a c-mount adapter or lens to the
camera, verify that the threaded end of the adapter (a) does
not exceed 0.195 inches (5mm). Longer c-mount adapters
may damage the camera. (The drawing below is actual size to
help you chec the thread length of your c-mount adapter.)
= cmadap2.cdr

12
Use the following steps to attach the camera to your
microscope:
1Screw the threaded side of the c-mount adapter (a) into the
DMC camera (b).
Camtomic.ai
The mounting arrangement shown is typical. Yours may be
different.
Important: Finger-tighten the adapter. Do not use any tools.
2Following instructions with your microscope or c-mount
adapter, insert the c-mount adapter into the microscope (c).
Assure that the camera image orientation matches the
microscope eyepiece image by rotating the camera so the
tripod mount (a) faces toward the bottom of the image.
Rotate.ai

Setting up 13
4Attach the cables to the camera as shown.
Camcabl.ai
aSCSI cable
bPower adapter cable
Connecting the camera to your PC
How you connect the camera to your PC depends on
whether your computer has a SCSI adapter, and whether you
have additional SCSI devices connected to your computer.
The DMC camera is a SCSI device designed to connect to a
SCSI adapter on your IBM-compatible computer. If your
computer has a compatible SCSI adapter, you can s ip this
section and go to the appropriate connection instructions
below.
If your computer does not have a compatible SCSI adapter,
you must open the computer case and install one. Follow
installation and setup instructions provided with the adapter.
After you install and set up the adapter, be sure you have set
the camera SCSI ID as described on page 8 before continuing
with the appropriate connection instructions below.
Installing a SCSI
adapter

14
If the DMC camera is the only external SCSI device being
used with your computer, turn off the computer and the
camera. Then connect the camera SCSI cable to the
computers SCSI port (a). If you have not already done so,
connect the other end of the SCSI cable (b) to the cameras
SCSI connector as shown on page 13.
1scsipc.ai
Use only the SCSI cable provided with the camera. Other
cables may appear similar, but could damage the camera or
your computer.
After connecting the SCSI cable, connect the camera to AC
power using the power adapter (c).
If the DMC is the only
SCSI device

Setting up 15
Follow the steps below if your computer has other external
SCSI devices in addition to the DMC camera. You must
install the DM camera as the last device in your S SI chain
as follows:
1Turn off the computer, all SCSI devices, and the camera.
2Remove the terminator (a) from the last device in your SCSI
chain.
2scsipc.ai
Note: Keep the terminator. You will need to reconnect it if
you wish to use the computer while the camera is
disconnected from it.
If necessary for your installation, attach the 25/50 DB to HD
SCSI adapter (b) to the end of the SCSI cable (c).
Use only the cable provided with the camera. Other cables
may appear similar, but could damage the camera or your
computer.
4Connect the 25/50 DB to HD SCSI adapter (b) to the
connector from which you removed the terminator.
5If you have not already done so, connect the other end of the
SCSI cable (d) to the SCSI connector on the DMC camera as
shown on page 13.
6Connect the camera to AC power using the power adapter
(e).
If your PC has other
SCSI devices

16
Note: If a cable or adapter you need is not included with the
DMC camera, Polaroid Technical Assistance (see page 4) can
provide instructions for obtaining it.
IMPORTANT: Always connect the camera to AC power
when it is connected to the computer. If the camera or any
other SCSI device turns off while connected, it could corrupt
data on your hard dis .
Installing the DMC software on your PC
To operate the DMC camera, you must use one of the
following programs on your PC. Both are provided with the
DMC camera and are installed during the procedure given
below.
· DM TWAIN driver Using the TWAIN driver requires an
image-processing application (not provided) compatible with
the TWAIN specification.
· DM Direct software If you do not have an image-
processing application compatible with TWAIN, you can use
DMC Direct to transfer pictures from the DMC to your
computer.
To install the DMC software:
1Turn on the computer and start the Windows program.
2Insert the DMC for Windows dis ette or CD-ROM into the
drive.
Clic the Windows 95 Start button and choose Run.
4Type a:\setup (or b:\setup if the dis ette is in drive B) and
clic OK.
5Follow instructions on the screen to complete the
installation.
6When an on-screen message indicates that installation has
been completed, clic OK.