I also am interested in a camera setup for dual-label fluorescence.  Originally I was thinking of a color CCD camera but now am wondering whether it would be better to get a monochrome with an automated filter wheel.  The trick for me is that, while my specimens can be labeled fairly brightly, they are particulate, suspended in saline wet mounts, so there is motion due to convection.  With a video camera using brightfield, even if I wait for slow-moving particles I sometimes see "steps" in the edges of the particles, indicating that 1/30 sec is barely fast enough.  So a cooled camera won't help me; I need sensitivity instead. Can anyone recommend a *sensitive* color or monochrome camera?  Video is OK but a 10 or 12 bit digital one that's not extremely expensive would be better.  At least several frames per second for focusing would be important.  Any comments on the DVC 1300 cameras?

Can you recommend an automated filter wheel & control software?  I'm not familiar with this at all.  I have an Olympus BX50 scope.

Also, does anyone have suggestions for something like xanthan gum to add to the saline suspending medium to slow down convection? My particles are not alive but are sensitive to temperature and to osmotic changes.

Thank you!
Richard Thrift
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>>> Michal Opas <[log in to unmask]> 10/18/99 11:39:27 AM >>>
Dear all,

I realize that a topic of CCDs has been discussed here a few times.  While
pros and cons of CCD use were discussed, I am not sure if any recommendation
as to what to buy it terms hardware was put forward.  I am not sure,
furthermore, if any guidelines for "the masses" have been established in
terms of how to tackle setting up a CCD-based fluorescence detection system
that would replace photoprocessing.

So there we go:

I would like to set up a "departmental" microscopical "facility" devoted to
fluorescent immunolocalization.  I predict just a few (< 10) users.  We have
a Photomicroscope III that has been used for that purpose.  I would like to
equip this microscope with hardware/software such as to dispense with
photoprocessing.
Your advice shall be most welcome.

Cheers
Michal


     Dr. Michal Opas
     University of Toronto
     1 King's College Circle
     Medical Sciences Building, rm 6342
     Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1A8 Canada
--------------
      phone: (416) 978-8947
           fax: (416) 978-3954
      e-mail: [log in to unmask]