Search the CONFOCAL archive at
http://listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu/cgi-bin/wa?S1=confocal

If you are using the software that comes with the SPOT RT (Diagnostics
Instruments Windoze Software), then you should go into the camera settings
and force it to use a gain not greater than 1.  The result will be a longer
exposure but a significantly cleaner image.

Hope that helps.  Gotta help a fellow Canuck eh!?

At 09:08 AM 6/19/02 -0700, Mike Goldsworthy wrote:
>Search the CONFOCAL archive at
>http://listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu/cgi-bin/wa?S1=confocal
>
>         Hello all
>
>        I have a problem capturing images of  bacterial smears (various body
>fluids) .I am using both 60Xoil and 100Xoil planapo objectives and a SPOT
>R/T slider. Under the microscope the image looks fine with both objectives,
>but when viewed on the screen with the camera there is an extremely grainy
>background. I have done various things with the optics to resolve the
>problem, with no success. Lowering the condenser does work somewhat, but
>that is not desirable.The camera captures images with the dry objectives, no
>problem. Any ideas?
>
>       Mike Goldsworthy
>       Memorial University of Newfoundland
>       Canada

Derek Schulze
Flow Cytometry and Confocal Microscopy Facility Manager
Cancer Research Labs
Queen's University
Kingston, ON
Canada
http://meds.queensu.ca/medicine/crl/flow/