|
Microscope Digital Camera Recommendations
Shopping Digital Microscope Camera
Digital cameras for microscopes range in cost from
$1000 to $30,000.
Typically digital cameras for microscopes offer a
variety of qualities and connection interfaces. Analog RGB
video and analog composite video interfaces (NTSC) will allow
you to connect the microscope digital camera to a video conferencing system or
to a VCR. Digital formats allow you to connect your digital camera to a
computer. Possible computer interfaces include SCSI, USB, IEEE1394
(FireWire™), XGA, and SXGA.
For PDIS we suggest you shop for a microscope
digital camera that provides the following:
-
XGA or SXGA video output
allowing you to connect your digital camera directly to a high
resolution computer monitor.
-
Analog RGB, or composite video (NTSC) video
output allowing you to connect your digital camera directly to a
video conferencing system or VCR.
-
USB 2.0 and/or IEEE1394 (FireWire™) video
outputs are recommended over SCSI and all other computer
connections. A USB 2.0 and/or IEEE1394 (FireWire™) connection
is currently considered the industry standard, fast, and are
inexpensive.
-
"C" Mount on the digital camera will
allow you to connect your camera directly to a microscope extension tube
provided by your microscope manufacturer.
Nikon
DS-5M-L1 Digital Sight Camera Sytem Approx Cost ($5,000)
The Nikon DS5M-L1 meets all the requirements for
PDIS, and includes some unique features that make it extremely useful for NPDN
laboratories. The ability to share the microscope camera live over the
web can be extremely useful for collaborative diagnostics. This
capability also allows PDIS to connect directly to the camera over the network
allowing diagnosticians to quickly save microscope images within PDIS.
You do not need a Nikon microscope to use this
camera. A compatible tri-noc extension tube with a
standard 'C' mount can be purchased for all brands of tri-noc equipped
microscopes.
Distinguishing Features:
The DS5M-L1 is an Internet-capable digital
camera system that enables the diagnostician to share high-definition digital
images of specimens with colleagues in remote labs. Because
the DS5M-L1 also operates as a web server, the DS5M-L1 can use a
standard web browser to provide images and streaming video to remote
diagnosticians. The DS5M-L1 is also capable of
allowing diagnosticians to remotely control the camera system software and
hardware using the web interface.
Nikon
DXM 1200 Digital Eclipse Camera System Approx
Cost ($5,000)
The Nikon DXM 1200 meets most of the
requirements for PDIS. Note that the camera must be connected to a
computer. The camera does not provide any standard video
outputs. For PDIS users we suggest Nikon DS-5M-L1 for every day use and
the DXM 1200 for situations where extreme resolution digital
photography is required.
You do not need a Nikon microscope to use this
camera. A compatible tri-noc extension tube with a
standard 'C' mount can be purchased for all brands of tri-noc equipped
microscopes.
Distinguishing Features:
-
Image Quality: 12 Megapixel CCD
-
Network Speed: no network capability
-
Diaplay: no display or
displayoutputs provided.
Plant Diagnostic Information System Version:3.2.3153.14663
© 2003-2004 Kansas State University Research and Extension
PDIS Image Library
Search Engine Links
Nikon™ is a registered trademark of Nikon Incorperated; Apple, the Apple
logo, Mac, Mac OS, Macintosh and FireWire are trademarks of Apple. Other
company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.
|