*****
To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
*****

I use the Zeiss Definite Focus solution. It was retrofited on our
AxioObserver inverted stand, initially it was quite difficult to get
it installed (had to send the stand back to Germany), but I think this
was one of the first retrofited system they installed. Now they can
make it on the spot easily.

The system works really well, nicely integrated in Zeiss' Axiovision
software (can also be driven by MM, although I didn't test it yet
because I'm not willing to pay yet another MM upgrade). Sometimes I'm
just surprised how perfectly horizontal the coverslip is when
wandering around the coverslip looking for the next cell to image,
until I realized I left the focus on "constant update"! I have no
problem using it with high mag, high NA TIRF objectives.

I the end I think all these systems are quite mature now, so the
choice will depend more on choosing a brand for other reason (stand,
software etc.), given that all these system are proprietary and will
only work with a stand from the same brand. One exception is ASI's
CRIFF system which can be installed on any microscope, but as it is
placed on the camera port it requires to have filters that let the 780
nm laser through (as opposed to other systems which are place between
the BFP of the objective and the filter cubes).

Christophe

On Thu, Jul 7, 2011 at 07:55, Adrian Smith
<[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
> *****
>
> Hi all,
>
> I found this email in the archives but I can't see any replies.
>
> I'm also interested in any comments on:-
>
> - PFS (Nikon) vs
> - ZDC (Olympus) vs
> - ZDC 2 (Olympus) vs
> - UltimateFocus (API (Deltavision))
> - Adaptive Focus Control (Leica)
> - Definite Focus (Zeiss)
>
> Did I miss anyone? :)
>
> Regards,
>
> Adrian Smith
> Centenary Institute, Sydney, Australia
>
>
>
>
> On 17/05/2011, at 5:38 AM, Yuval Ebenstein wrote:
>
>> *****
>> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
>> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
>> *****
>>
>> Hello,
>> I found no mention of the newer ZDC 2 in the archives.
>> I'm wondering if anyone has experience with both systems and can point out some main differences between the ZDC and PFS.
>> How fast is the ZDC? will it maintain focus during large stage xy movements?
>> Thanks for you help
>> Yuval Ebenstein
>