Q Imaging Retiga EXi User Manual

Manual is about: CCD camera

Summary of Retiga EXi

  • Page 2

    I retiga exi fast 1394 user’s manual applicability this document applies to the retiga exi fast 1394 camera. For the latest updates, please visit www . Qimaging . Com . Notice of copyright copyright 2003 quantitative imaging corporation. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication of this document...

  • Page 3: Contents

    Ii contents retiga exi fast 1394 user’s manual ................................................................................ I introduction ............................................................................................................. 1 power requirements .............................

  • Page 4: Introduction

    1 chapter 1 introduction the qimaging retiga exi ccd digital camera features enhanced visible and ir quantum efficiency for super high sensitivity for demanding low light and fluorescence imaging applications. A progressive scan interline ccd sensor gives a resolution of 1.4 million pixels in a 12-b...

  • Page 5: Cables

    2 for mac os computers: • powerpc-based macintosh with an ohci compliant ieee 1394 port (g4 and imac models). • imac models may not provide enough power to cooled cameras. Qimaging’s ieee 1394 hub may be required to power the camera. Contact qimaging for ordering information. • mac os 9.1, 9.2 or x ...

  • Page 6

    3 qcapture suite software the retiga exi fast 1394 operates on both windows and mac os based systems. Qcapture suite software for both systems is available at www . Qimaging . Com . The easy-to-use qcapture software gives you complete control over the camera’s settings and image capture functions. Q...

  • Page 7: Installation

    4 chapter 2 installation step 1. Install the 1394 pci card (windows users only) this step is for windows pc users only. If you are installing the retiga exi fast 1394 on a mac os computer, please skip to step 2. Check your computer for an existing firewire port: the retiga exi fast 1394 connects to ...

  • Page 8

    5 if your pc does not have a functioning firewire port, you must install the ieee 1394 pci card that came with your camera. If necessary, install the supplied ieee 1394 pci card: • shut down your computer. • open the case, and install the supplied ieee 1394 card into an empty pci slot. See the user’...

  • Page 9

    6 connecting the camera to a pc/mac desktop or mac laptop computer perform the following for connecting your camera. • remove the firewire cable from the camera box, and plug one end of the cable into one of the camera’s firewire sockets (either socket is fine). Figure 3— camera firewire sockets. • ...

  • Page 10

    7 code 28 or the software not working consistently. In this case, external power must be delivered to the camera which can be accomplished by connecting the camera via one of the following methods. • connection of an 1394 power supply with your camera is as follows: figure 5— firewire and 1394 power...

  • Page 11

    8 figure 7— firewire and 1394 power supply connection if you purchased an ieee 1394 hub, connect your camera as per the following figure. Figure 8— firewire and ieee 1394 hub connection 2. Pcmcia card with a 4-pin/6-pin firewire port in some cases, laptop computers have a firewire port from a pcmcia...

  • Page 12: Camera Basics

    9 chapter 3 camera basics the retiga exi fast 1394’s image capture capabilities are controlled entirely by your imaging software. This chapter provides basic instructions for working with the camera itself. Turning the camera on and off to turn the retiga exi fast 1394 on, all you need to do is to f...

  • Page 13

    10 to attach f-mount optics: if you have a monochrome camera and you have purchased the optional color filter, then carefully thread the color filter to the c-mount ring on the camera. The opposite end of the color filter is a female f-mount connector. Carefully connect your f-mount optics to the op...

  • Page 14: Advanced Camera Controls

    11 chapter 4 advanced camera controls the retiga exi fast 1394 offers the user an advanced method of synchronizing to external events. The use of external triggering allows more advanced specialized applications of digital imaging. This section explains external triggering for the retiga exi fast 13...

  • Page 15: Gain and Offset Controls

    12 to ensure that you will use the external triggering mechanism correctly, it is important to ensure that the following questions have been answered when devising or architecting your system design: • has a system design been developed that incorporates the necessary elements such as: • a timing di...

  • Page 16: Caring For Your Camera

    13 chapter 5 caring for your camera the retiga exi fast 1394 camera requires no regular maintenance except occasional external cleaning of the ccd window (the glass window between the camera sensor and the microscope or lens). To clean the ccd window: caution — the camera’s ccd sensor, and circuits ...

  • Page 17: Troubleshooting

    14 chapter 6 troubleshooting resolving problems with the camera the green led is not lit. • check all the cable connections. • flip the switch at the back of the camera. • if your camera is still not lit, then your camera may not be receiving the required power. If you have a 1394 power supply or yo...

  • Page 18

    15 unresolved problems - contacting qimaging support if you are still unable to resolve your problem, contact qimaging support for assistance in one of four ways: • visit http :// www . Qimaging . Com / support / faq / for a list of all frequently asked questions. Your issue may be resolved in one o...

  • Page 19: Glossary

    16 chapter 7 glossary binning binning is a method of increasing camera speed and sensitivity to boost low signals. Binning causes the acquired image to be brighter and smaller, but the resolution will be lower as a result. Because the image is smaller, the image transfer time is reduced significantl...

  • Page 20

    17 see ieee 1394. Ieee 1394 high bandwidth (40 megabytes/second - 1394a; 80 megabytes/second - 1394b) interface for connecting digital imaging, storage, and other devices to host computers. Image intensifier an electro-optical vacuum tube which intensifies or amplifies on low light level images. Int...

  • Page 21: Appendices

    18 chapter 8 appendices appendix a: external trigger port the external trigger port at the rear of the camera is a 6-pin miniature circular din receptacle (amp 749265-1). The mating connector is a singatron enterprises part number 62000-6p, available fromdigikey (www.Digikey.Com) figure 11— external...

  • Page 22

    19 figure 12— schematic of external trigger circuit internal to camera. 1 2 3 4 5 6 2 3 vc c gn d 8 7 6 5 u12 h c p l- 061a r 3 3 35 7r r 3 2 35 7r c3 7 0. 1u f r3 1 35 7r + 5 v 8 7 6 5 2 3 2 3 8 7 6 5 hc p l -061a h c p l -061a u1 3 u1 4 r 3 5 237 r r 36 237r r 38 237r r 39 237r vc c vc c gn d gn d...

  • Page 23

    20 input signals in order to use the external trigger port correctly and ensure external triggering operation for your camera, you need to supply at least 4 input signals through the mini din receptacle. Pin 1 always needs to be powered at a 5v potential, with pins 4 and 6 always connected to ground...