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The field of view depends on the optics used to couple the camera to the
microscope, and the size of the CCD array.  CCD arrays are square, and the
image from a microscope is round.  To prevent unsightly black corners from
appearing in your image they usually overfill the CCD array.  That is, the
CCD is only imaging a portion of the full field of view to deal with the
circle vs rectangle problem.  If you are willing to accept not using the
whole CCD array and throw out those black corners, you can set the optics to
only image the specimen plane onto the middle part of the CCD.  This will
give you the full field of view the microscope is capable of, at a cost of
some resolution.  If you are just trying to locate your samples in
preparation for confocal imaging though, this shouldn't be a big deal.

Craig



On Fri, Jan 14, 2011 at 12:14 PM, Vergara, Leoncio A. <[log in to unmask]>wrote:

> *****
> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> *****
>
> If I understand well, the dilemma is that the camera in the side port would
> not let you see the complete field of view to efficiently search the sample
> as you can do with eye pieces... using the Confocal monitor to search the
> sample has the same problem of limited field of view and adds the problem of
> slow refresh rate and unnecessary photobleaching... plus is annoying...
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> On Behalf Of S. Brunet
> Sent: Friday, January 14, 2011 12:50 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: BSL3 microscopy
>
> *****
> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> *****
>
> Hello:
>
> We are not BSL3, but we set up a camera + adapter at the eyepiece from
> Martin
> Microscope (no financial affiliation) on our LSM410.  I can see many
> fluorescent samples this way.
> You could try a higher end camera and send the output to a monitor (some
> cameras
> can be controlled using the computer software).
> My biggest problem with the camera I have is the automatic focussing which
> can
> correct for mis-focussing the objective (I can control that to an extent
> but I
> prefer manual camera sometimes).
> Vignetting will happen for a large field of view.  I can't remember off
> hand how
> the field view compares to the eyepiece (probably a bit less).
>
> I am not sure if this is the option you referred to in your post (that you
> say
> would not work fo you).
>
> I would assume that most new microscopes with a digital imaging camera
> would
> suit your purpose... so I am trying to understand the problem...
>
> Good luck,
> Sophie
> ____________________________________________________
> Sophie M. K. Brunet, Ph. D.
> Research Officer
> Optical Spectroscopy, Laser Systems and Applications
> [log in to unmask]
> 306-966-1719 (office)   306-966-1702 (fax)
> ____________________________________________________
> Saskatchewan Structural Sciences Centre
> University of Saskatchewan
> Thorvaldson Bldg.
> 110 Science Place
> Saskatoon, Sk   S7N 5C9
> ____________________________________________________
>
>
> Quoting "Watkins, Simon C" <[log in to unmask]>:
>
> > *****
> > To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> > http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> > *****
> >
> > Folks, I am about to install an advanced imaging system (sweptfield
> confocal
> > and widefield imaging combo) in a biosafety level 3 facility.  To work in
> the
> > facility one has to suit up and wear a rigid face mask, as the
> > cells/pathogens will be on the scope and may be open to the environment.
> > This means that the eyepieces of the scope are essentially useless.  I
> wonder
> > if any other listers have dealt with this problem and what their solution
> > was? Obviously the widefield camera will help a lot, but it doesnt allow
> > survey of the full field of view, as we are doing mostly flourescence a
> video
> > camera isnt much use.... back in the day, there were some screen
> > solutions....
> > Looking for creative ideas
> > S.
> >
> > Simon C. Watkins Ph.D, FRC Path
> > Professor and Vice Chair Cell Biology and Physiology
> > Professor Immunology Director Center for Biologic Imaging
> > BSTS 225
> > University of Pittsburgh
> > 3500 Terrace St
> > Pittsburgh PA 15261
> > 412-352-2277
> > www.cbi.pitt.edu<http://www.cbi.pitt.edu>
> >
>