Zeiss AxioCam MRc5 Installation and operating manual
AxioCam MRc5
Installation + Reference - 10.2003
000000-1256-586
Number of this manual: B 48-0028 e
Date of issue: 05.2003
Date of the last revision/update: 10.2003
Carl Zeiss Vision draws the User's attention to the fact that the information and
references contained in these documents may be subject to technical modifications, in
particular due to the continuous further development of Carl Zeiss Vision's products.
The documents enclosed do not contain any warranty by Carl Zeiss Vision with regard
to the technical processes described in the documentation or to certain reproduced
product characteristics. Furthermore, Carl Zeiss Vision shall not be held liable for any
possible printing errors or other inaccuracies in this documentation, unless proof can
be furnished that any such errors or inaccuracies are already known by 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. Carl Zeiss Vision hereby explicitly draws the User's
attention to the fact that this manual only contains a general description of the
technical processes and information, the implementation of which in any individual
case may not be appropriate in the form described here. In cases of doubt, we
recommend the User to consult Carl Zeiss Vision.
This manual is protected by copyright. Carl Zeiss Vision has reserved all rights to this
documentation. It is prohibited to make copies, partial copies, or to translate this
manual into any other language. Carl Zeiss Vision explicitly draws attention to the fact
that the information contained in this manual will be updated regularly in compliance
with the technical modifications and supplements carried out in the products and
furthermore that this manual only reflects the technical status of Carl Zeiss Vision's
products at the time of printing.
© Copyright 2003 by Carl Zeiss Vision GmbH
Reproductions, copies, and even excerpts may only be made with explicit approval
from
Carl Zeiss Vision GmbH
Zeppelinstraße 4
85399 München-Hallbergmoos http://www.zeiss.de
References
Microsoft, Windows, Windows 2000 Professional and Windows XP Professional are
registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/or other
countries.
FireWire is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc., in the U.S. and/or other
countries.
i.LINK is a registered trademark of Sony Corporation in Japan and/or other countries.
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.
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.
Table of Contents
AxioCam MRc5 Installation + Reference i
Table of Contents
IMPORTANT NOTE..................................................................................... 1
1Installation of the AxioCam MRc5........................................................ 1
1.1 Safety Regulations........................................................................... 1
General notes .............................................................................. 3
Backup copies.............................................................................. 4
1.2 System Requirements / Contents of Delivery .................................... 4
Minimum hardware and software requirements............................ 4
Recommended hardware and software ........................................ 5
Contents of Delivery..................................................................... 6
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............................ 11
Operating the AxioCam MRc5 on a PC with onboard
FireWire interface.......................................................... 12
Connecting the camera to the PC............................ 12
Operating the AxioCam MRc5 on a notebook............................. 13
Operating the AxioCam MRc5 on a notebook using the
FireWire PCcard (CardBus) interface card ....................... 13
Installing the PCcard (CardBus) interface card on the
notebook................................................................ 13
Connecting the camera to the notebook ................. 14
Operating the AxioCam MRc5 on a notebook with
onboard FireWire interfaces........................................... 16
Connecting the camera to the notebook ................. 16
Mounting the camera onto the microscope ................... 18
Function indicator ......................................................... 18
Second FireWire socket ................................................. 19
Expansion socket .......................................................... 19
Checking the equipment has been set up correctly ..................... 19
1.4 Installing the Driver Software......................................................... 20
General...................................................................................... 20
Installing the camera driver with the hardware wizard................. 21
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ii B 48-0028 e 10.2003
Installing the camera driver using the setup program .................. 25
How to correct the driver entry in the device manager ... 29
Resetting the AxioCam MRc5 firmware ......................... 32
1.5 Notes on Maintenance .................................................................. 33
Camera Electronic ...................................................................... 33
Optical System ........................................................................... 33
Cleaning the Infra-red Barrier Filter ............................................. 33
Important Note on the Use of C-mount Objectives...................... 33
2Image Acquisition with the AxioCam MRc5 ...................................... 34
2.1 General 34
2.2 Quick Guide to the First Image with AxioVision.............................. 35
The Workflow Standard ............................................................. 36
Step by step to the first image.................................................... 37
2.3 Adjust Property Page..................................................................... 42
Exposure.................................................................................... 43
Automatic exposure...................................................... 44
White Balance............................................................................ 45
Color adjustment .......................................................... 46
Histogram.................................................................................. 46
2.4 Frame Property Page ..................................................................... 48
Camera Mode............................................................................ 48
Acquisition modes......................................................... 49
Binning......................................................................... 51
Resulting file size .......................................................... 51
Frame 52
2.5 General Property Page................................................................... 53
Digital Gain................................................................................ 53
Image Orientation ...................................................................... 54
Black Reference.......................................................................... 54
White Reference ........................................................................ 55
Shutter Control.......................................................................... 56
2.6 Practical Notes on Operation in AxioVision..................................... 57
Speed of the live image.............................................................. 57
Notes on optimum color reproduction in AxioVision.................... 58
2.7 Information for Displaying 12 Bit Images in AxioVision ................... 59
Recommended camera settings .................................................. 62
Recommended monitor settings ................................................. 62
2.8 Background Information................................................................ 63
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AxioCam MRc5 Installation + Reference iii
Gamma setting .......................................................................... 63
Linearity of AxioCam MRc5 ........................................................ 63
Fluorescence images .................................................................. 63
Configurable toolbars for operating the camera.......................... 64
3Trouble Shooting ................................................................................ 65
3.1 Software....................................................................................... 65
3.2 Image Quality ............................................................................... 66
4Technical Data ..................................................................................... 67
4.1 AxioCam MRc5............................................................................. 67
4.2 Spectral Sensitivity......................................................................... 69
IMPORTANT NOTE
FireWire (IEEE 1394) Interface
The FireWire (IEEE 1394) interface is defined as a "hot plugging"
interconnection, i.e. peripherals (cameras, drives, etc.) may be connected
or disconnected while the computer is powered up. In connection with
this "hot plugging" feature in isolated cases damages being caused to
interface components were reported, presumably due to a discharge of
static electricity during the insertion of the cables.
To avoid this kind of damage, we urge you to take careful note of the
following points before inserting or removing the AxioCam MRc5’s
FireWire cable:
• Avoid "hot plugging" with devices that are powered via the FireWire
bus, i.e. do not insert or remove the camera while the computer is
switched on.
• Use only high-quality and undamaged FireWire cables.
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
Installation of the AxioCam MRc5
AxioCam MRc5 Installation + Reference 1
1 Installation of the AxioCam MRc5
The AxioCam MRc5 is a professional camera scanner with FireWireinterface
for universal light-microscopy applications.
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.LINKare also used for
this interface.
1.1 Safety Regulations
Please read this chapter carefully and observe the regulations in
order to ensure your safety and the intended operation of the
system. Please observe the warnings and notes printed in this
manual and on the unit.
The digital camera AxioCam MRc5 has been manufactured and tested by Carl
Zeiss according to the regulations specified in GS and cUL and has left the
manufacturer’s premises in perfect working order.
In order to ensure that this condition is maintained and to avoid any risks
when operating the system, the user must comply with any notes and
warnings contained in this manual.
Exemption from statutory liability for accidents
The manufacturer shall be exempt from statutory liability for accidents should
the operator fail to observe the safety regulations.
Installation of the AxioCam MRc5
2 B 48-0028 e 10.2003
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.
Exemption from warranty
Carl Zeiss shall be exempt from any warranty obligations should the user fail
to observe the safety regulations. Carl Zeiss only guarantees the safety,
reliability, and performance of the system if the following safety regulations
are closely observed.
The electrical installations of the room where the system is to be set up
must conform to IEC requirements.
Warning:
Any interruption of the PE conductor, either internally or externally, or
removal of the earthed conductor will make the system unsafe to use.
Any intentional interruption of the earthed conductor is illegal.
Attention:
To interrupt the power supply simply disconnect the data cable.
Setup, expansions, re-adjustments, alterations, and repairs must only be
carried out by persons who have been authorized by Carl Zeiss.
Use only those cables supplied by Carl Zeiss.
Do not allow any cables, particularly power cords, to trail across the floor,
where they can be snagged by people walking past.
Installation of the AxioCam MRc5
AxioCam MRc5 Installation + Reference 3
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).
Only use the camera in a clean and dry location.
The camera must be protected against mechanical impact. External
damage may affect the operation of inner components.
Keep chemicals and fluids away from the camera. To avoid the risk of fire,
do not use near inflammable liquids or gases.
Make sure there is sufficient ventilation of the camera head. Avoid direct
exposure to sunlight and locations near to heat sources (radiators, stoves).
Overheating can cause noisy images.
The camera housing can be cleaned using normal microscope cleaning
material.
If a repair is necessary send the camera including all cables with a detailed
description of the fault to:
Carl Zeiss
Service Mikroskopie
Abt. MS-LO2 Tel.: (++49) 551 5060 428
Königsallee 9-21 Fax: (++49) 551 5060 325
D-37081 Göttingen eMail: mikro.reparaturen@zeiss.de
Installation of the AxioCam MRc5
4 B 48-0028 e 10.2003
Backup copies
We strongly recommend that all users save the data they create, such as
images, measurement data, archives, reports, forms and documents, at
regular intervals on an external medium. 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.
1.2 System Requirements / Contents of
Delivery
Minimum hardware and software requirements
INTEL Pentium III processor 600 MHz or faster
256 MB RAM
20 GB hard disk
1280 x 1024 bit graphics adapter for real color
CD-ROM drive
One free FireWire slot (OHCI compatibel, 400 Mbit/s transfer rate)
respectively a free PCI slot (PCI Local Bus specification rev. 2.1 or higher)
for the FireWire PCI bus interface
17" Multisync monitor
Windows 2000 Professional SP 3 or Windows XP Professional SP 1
AxioVision software release 4.1 (or higher)
AxioCam MRc5 camera driver
Microscope adapter 1x or 0.63x
Installation of the AxioCam MRc5
AxioCam MRc5 Installation + Reference 5
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. 2.1 or higher)
for the FireWire PCI bus interface
17" Multisync monitor
Windows 2000 Professional Service Pack 3 or Windows XP Professional
Service Pack 1
AxioVision software release 4.1 (or higher)
AxioCam MRc5 camera driver
Microscope adapter 1x or 0.63x
Installation of the AxioCam MRc5
6 B 48-0028 e 10.2003
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
Installation of the AxioCam MRc5
AxioCam MRc5 Installation + Reference 7
1.3 Setting up the Camera System
The standardized FireWire interface allows the camera to be used for a variety
of applications. The following graphic provides an overview of the possible
hardware configurations and the required accessories:
AxioCam MRc5
FireWire Hub
(w ith external pow er supply)
order number:
000000-0452-376
PC with
FireWire PCI-Bus
Interfaceboard
order number:
000000-0452-036
Notebook with
FireWire
interface
"onboard"
Notebook with
FireWire PCcard
(CardBus)
Interface
order number:
000000-0452-037
PC with
FireWire
interface
"onboard"
6-pin to 6-pin digital FireWire cable
(included in AxioCam MRc5 package)
additional 6-pin to 6-pin digital FireWire cable
(included in FireWire Hub package)
additional 4-pin to 6-pin digital FireWire cable
(included in FireWire Hub package)
6-pin to 6-pin digital FireWire cable
(included in AxioCam MRc5 package)
6-pin to 6-pin digital FireWire cable
(included in AxioCam MRc5 package)
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.
Installation of the AxioCam MRc5
8 B 48-0028 e 10.2003
The table below provides an overview of the order numbers of the
accessories:
Accessory Order Number
FireWire hub 000000-0452-376
FireWire PCI bus interface card 000000-0452-036
FireWire PCcard (CardBus) interface
card 000000-0452-037
The FireWire interface supports "hot plugging", i.e. the insertion and removal
of the FireWire cable with the PC switched on. However, please bear in mind
that after the AxioCam MRc5 has been inserted, it is necessary to restart
AxioVision, to ensure that the camera is recognized in the application.
Operating the AxioCam MRc5 on a PC
Depending on your system specifications, you can choose between two forms
of connection:
connection of the camera to the FireWire PCI bus interface card
connection of the camera to the 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.
Installation of the AxioCam MRc5
AxioCam MRc5 Installation + Reference 9
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. Never
touch the contacts of electronic components. We also recommend
that you work only on an antistatic mat.
For installation of the FireWire PCI bus interface card, please also
take into account the notes in the interface card documentation.
Only the basic principles of interface card installation are described
in this manual.
The FireWire PCI bus interface card (order number: 000000-0452-
036) also has integrated USB connections. The USB drivers for this
PCI bus interface card need to be installed separately under
Windows 2000 Professional. The drivers can be found on the
supplied manufacturer’s CD. For the installation of the PCI bus
interface card, please consult the relevant documentation from the
manufacturer.
Installation of the AxioCam MRc5
10 B 48-0028 e 10.2003
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
documentation.
Switch off your PC and all connected peripherals. Disconnect the PC and the
peripherals from the mains. The FireWire PCI bus interface card can now be
fitted into the appropriate slot on your computer.
Special details on opening your computer and on the slots it
contains can be found in the relevant documentation from your
PC’s manufacturer.
Installation of the AxioCam MRc5
AxioCam MRc5 Installation + Reference 11
Connecting the camera to the PC
Lay the data cable carefully between the camera and the PC. Make
sure that the cable is a safe distance from hot light sources on the
microscope, to prevent it being damaged by heat.
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. If
you switch off the PC, the camera is also switched off.
The AxioCam MRc5 has been designed for continuous operation. During
operation the camera may heat up. This is quite safe, and does not in any
way impair the functioning of the device.
Installation of the AxioCam MRc5
12 B 48-0028 e 10.2003
Operating the AxioCam MRc5 on a PC with
onboard FireWire interface
Connecting the camera to the PC
Lay the data cable carefully between the camera and the PC. Make
sure that the cable is a safe distance from hot light sources on the
microscope, to prevent it being damaged by heat.
To connect the camera to a PC, you require a FireWire cable with a 6-pin
connector at both ends. This cable is supplied with the camera.
Connect the FireWire cable of the AxioCam MRc5 to the onboard FireWire
interface of the PC.
Connecting the AxioCam MRc5 to the onboard FireWire interface of the PC
Power is supplied to the AxioCam MRc5 via the FireWire interface. Before
operating the 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.
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