Q Imaging Retiga ELECTRO User manual

USER MANUAL
DIGITAL IMAGING MADE EASY
www.QIMAGING.com

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RETIGA ELECTRO™USER MANUAL
Applicability
This document applies to the QImaging Retiga ELECTRO camera. For the latest updates, please visit
www.qimaging.com.
Notice of Copyright
Copyright © 2017 Quantitative Imaging Corporation. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication of this
document is prohibited.
Trademarks and Proprietary Names
QImaging and Retiga ELECTRO are trademarks of QImaging. PVCAM® is a registered trademark of Roper
Scientific, Inc. Product names mentioned in this document may be trademarks or registered trademarks of
QImaging or other hardware, software, or service providers and are used herein for identification purposes
only. Microsoft® and Windows® are registered trademarks in the U.S. and other countries of Microsoft
Corporation and are used herein for identification purposes only.
QImaging Corporation Address Information
19535 56th Avenue,
Suite 101
Surrey, BC, Canada V3S 6K3
+1.604.530.5800
www.qimaging.com
QImaging Technical Support
Technical support is available to all registered users of QImaging products from 6am to 5pm Pacific Standard
Time.
[email protected]
+1.800.874.9789
http://www.qimaging.com/support/contact

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RETIGA ELECTRO™USER MANUAL
QIMAGING LIMITED WARRANTY
Standard Product Warranty Plan
A Standard Product Warranty Plan is included with every QImaging camera purchase. This Warranty Plan
includes parts and labor for two full years (starting from the shipping date of the camera). The Standard
Product Warranty Plan is provided on all new and used equipment, including retired demonstration cameras.
Extended Product Warranty Plan
Extended Product Warranty Plans are reasonably priced and very easy to purchase. Available for all QImaging
cameras currently under warranty, the Extended Product Warranty Plan includes parts and labor, and is
available for an additional three-year period to extend your warranty to five years.
When you purchase an Extended Product Warranty Plan from QImaging, you are assured of our commitment
to minimizing down times. Your needs are our top priority and QImaging responds immediately. The QImaging
Service and Support team is focused on expediting all customer requests to provide a fast and complete
solution.
QImaging also offers on-site training as well as online operational training programs. These programs are
designed to get you up and running with your new camera quickly and efficiently.
Contact a QImaging Representative to learn more about Extended Product Warranty Plan options.

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RETIGA ELECTRO™USER MANUAL
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................. 1
System Components .........................................................................................................1
Precautions ........................................................................................................................2
Environmental Conditions for Operation and Storage.........................................................2
Optics and Mounting .........................................................................................................2
Cleaning ............................................................................................................................3
Repair ................................................................................................................................3
INSTALLATION ............................................................................................................... 4
Host Computer Requirements ............................................................................................4
Camera Power Requirements .............................................................................................5
Install the Camera Driver .................................................................................................... 5
Connect the Camera..........................................................................................................5
Note on Selecting the Optimal USB 3.0 Port ....................................................................... 6
Note on Optimum Mounting of Retiga ELECTRO Camera...................................................8
USING YOUR RETIGA ELECTRO CAMERA ..................................................................... 9
Imaging Software...............................................................................................................9
Basic Camera Parameters ...................................................................................................9
Exposure Time....................................................................................................................9
Gain State..........................................................................................................................9
Sensor Cooling.................................................................................................................10
Clearing Mode.................................................................................................................10
ROI / Binning....................................................................................................................11
Device Synchronization ...................................................................................................11
Trigger-First Mode ............................................................................................................ 11
Bulb Mode.......................................................................................................................12
Recommended Initial Settings .........................................................................................13
Embedded Image Processing Algorithms ..........................................................................14
Defective Pixel Correction................................................................................................. 14
TROUBLESHOOTING .................................................................................................... 15
Resolving Problems with the Camera................................................................................ 15
Unresolved Problems - Contacting QImaging Support ...................................................... 17
SPECIFICATIONS ........................................................................................................... 18

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RETIGA ELECTRO™USER MANUAL
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
The Retiga ELECTRO is the ideal camera
for highly sensitive microscopic imaging
and documentation. With peak quantum
efficiency of 75%, combined with
extraordinarily low electronic and thermal
noise, the Retiga ELECTRO provides higher
resolution and sensitivity in a form factor
that saves space in laboratory settings.
The Retiga ELECTRO camera uses a USB
3.0 data connection for a fast and easy
installation, while maintaining backwards
compatibility for USB 2.0 at reduced
data rates for use with a variety of host
computers.
This manual describes the installation and
configuration procedures for your new
Retiga ELECTRO. Descriptions of Retiga
ELECTRO camera settings are also included.
System Components
Your new camera system includes:
■Retiga ELECTRO Camera
■7.5V DC, 2.5A power supply (actual model may vary)
■USB 3.0 cable
■Optional Ocular®Software
■USB flash drive: PVCAM driver, manual

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RETIGA ELECTRO™USER MANUAL
Precautions
The Retiga ELECTRO system electronics are extremely sensitive to electrostatic discharge (ESD). To avoid
permanently damaging the system, please observe the following precautions:
■If you are using high-voltage equipment (such as an arc lamp) with your camera system, be sure to
turn the camera power on last and power the camera off first.
■Never connect or disconnect any cable while the camera system is powered on.
■Although you should turn off the camera’s power supply before disconnecting any camera system
cable, you do not need to power off your computer to detach the cables.
■Use caution when triggering high-current switching devices (such as an arc lamp) near your system.
The image sensor can be permanently damaged by transient voltage spikes. If electrically noisy
devices are present, an isolated, conditioned power line or dedicated isolation transformer is highly
recommended.
■Always leave at least one inch of space around the camera housing.
■Never open the camera. There are no user-serviceable parts inside the Retiga ELECTRO camera.
Opening the camera voids the warranty.
■Use only the USB 3.0 interface, cables, and power supply designated for this camera system. Using
non-Retiga ELECTRO cables or power supplies may result in permanent damage to your system.
■Do not use a C-mount lens that has optics that extend behind the flange of the lens.
Environmental Conditions for Operation and Storage
Your Retiga ELECTRO camera system should be operated in a clean, dry environment. The camera system’s
ambient operating temperature is 0°C to 30°C with 80% relative humidity, noncondensing. Contact QImaging
customer service for information if operating outside of this range.
To protect your Retiga ELECTRO during storage, use its original containers. To protect the system from excessive
heat, cold, and moisture, store at an ambient temperature between -20°C and 60°C with a relative humidity of
0% to 90%, noncondensing.
Optics and Mounting
The Retiga ELECTRO camera lens mount accepts a standard 1” diameter, C-mount lens or adapter. The camera
is also compatible with a standard C-mount lenses as long as its optics do not extend behind the flange of the
lens.
If desired, the Retiga ELECTRO may be mounted to a tripod or other device using the mounting attachment
located on each side of the camera’s front plate. See the Specifications chapter for more information.

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RETIGA ELECTRO™USER MANUAL
Cleaning
Clean the exterior surfaces of the camera with a dry, lint-free cloth. To remove stains, contact QImaging
Support. To clean the camera’s imaging window, use only a filtered compressed-air source. Handheld cans are
not recommended, as they may spray propellant onto the window. Do not touch the window.
Repair
The Retiga ELECTRO contains no user-serviceable parts. Repairs must be done by QImaging. Should your
camera system need repair, contact QImaging Support. Please save the original packing materials so you can
safely ship the camera system to another location or return it for repairs if necessary.
IMPORTANT: DO NOT OPEN the camera. Opening the Retiga ELECTRO camera voids the warranty.

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RETIGA ELECTRO™USER MANUAL
CHAPTER 2
INSTALLATION
This chapter will detail the proper installation of your Retiga ELECTRO camera. In order to install and use the
camera, the following items are required:
■Retiga ELECTRO camera (supplied)
■USB 3.0 data cable (supplied)
■7.5V DC, 2.5A power supply (supplied)
■USB PVCAM Driver “installer” (supplied and also available on the QImaging website)
■110V/220V power connection
■A PVCAM compatible imaging application, such as Ocular (optional)
■A PC that meets host computer requirements
Optional items that are included with your Retiga ELECTRO camera:
■Trigger cable
Host Computer Requirements
The host computer for your Retiga ELECTRO camera must include:
■Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 10 operating system (64 bits)
Refer to the QImaging website for the latest list of minimum computer recommendations
■2.0 GHz or faster Intel processor: either Xeon or Core i5
■4+ GB RAM
■250+ GB serial ATA (SATA) HDD and/or >64 GB solid state drive (SDD) for high-speed imaging and
storage
■256+ MB slot-based ATI/NVIDIA video graphics card (i.e., not an “onboard/integrated graphics”
adapter)
■USB port or Internet access to install the driver
■At least one USB 3.0 interface port (USB2.0 is supported, but at reduced frame rate)
NOTE: Minimum requirements as of December 2015. Supported computer systems will change as new
cameras, computer hardware, and operating systems are introduced and older models then become obsolete.
For current information on recommended computer specifications, please visit:
http://www.qimaging.com/support/computer-specs
NOTE: The Retiga ELECTRO camera will also operate from a USB2 port by reducing the maximum readout
speed from 50MHz to 17.5 MHz, impacting achievable frame rates.

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RETIGA ELECTRO™USER MANUAL
Camera Power Requirements
■7.5V DC, 2.5A
A power supply for use with your Retiga ELECTRO camera has been provided by QImaging.
IMPORTANT: Follow the below steps in order.
DO NOT CONNECT the camera until the driver is installed.
1. Install the Camera Driver
In order for the Retiga ELECTRO camera to communicate with the host PC, the camera’s device driver must first
be installed. The latest version of the PVCAM driver installer is available on the QImaging website as well as the
provided USB drive. The recommended driver for the Retiga ELECTRO is PVCAM 3.6.7.2 or newer. However,
the camera will work with revisions as old as PVCAM 3.0.9.2. Be sure to select the appropriate installer based
on your PC’s operating system.
The Retiga ELECTRO camera is designed and tested for use with Microsoft Windows 64-bit operating systems.
Contact QImaging customer service for more information.
After completing the PVCAM installation, restart your PC when prompted by the wizard. For advanced users
wishing to use the camera in a custom programming environment, the PVCAM Software Development Kit is
available on the QImaging website.
NOTE: Supplemental PVCAM installation information can be found on the QImaging website:
http://www.qimaging.com/support/downloads/
Note: Users can find the PVCAM SDK is on the QImaging website at:
http://www.qimaging.com/support/downloads/pvcam-sdk/
2. Connect the Camera
Note: Power switch on power supply cable
There are three connectors on the back of the Retiga ELECTRO camera: a USB 3.0 connector, a power supply
connector, and an I/O connector. Connect the camera following these steps
1. Connect the supplied USB 3.0 cable to the USB 3.0 interface port on your computer and connect
the other end of the cable to the USB 3.0 connector located on the back of the camera. (The USB
3.0 interface transfers camera settings and image data to the host PC.) The Retiga ELECTRO camera

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RETIGA ELECTRO™USER MANUAL
should be connected to a USB 3.0 port. It should also be the only device on its USB root hub
controller (see Figure 2 below). Please see the following section on how to select the appropriate
USB port for optimum camera performance. This ensures the maximum bus bandwidth is available
to the camera for data transfers. USB 3.0 ports are often (but not always) identifiable by a blue
internal socket or the “SuperSpeed” (or just “SS”) USB logo.
2. After the USB 3.0 cable has been connected to the computer and camera, connect the Retiga
ELECTRO camera power supply’s cable to the power connector located on the back of the camera.
(Your Retiga ELECTRO camera is powered by the 7.5V 2.5A or greater power supply provided by
QImaging.) Lastly, plug the power supply’s cord into an appropriate power source.
3. Optional: An optional I/O connector is available on your camera for optional hardware triggering.
The I/O connector provides multiple I/O signals that allow highly precise synchronization with
external hardware components such as light sources via TTL signals. Information on how to set
up and configure the Retiga ELECTRO camera for hardware triggering can be found in the next
chapter of this manual.
Note on Selecting the Optimal USB 3.0 Port:
Most modern computers come with both USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 ports. This camera should be connected to a
USB 3.0 port. However, if no USB 3.0 port is available, you can operate the camera with USB 2.0 as well. The
camera is designed to work with USB2.0, at a reduced data rate of 17.5MHz pixels/sec.