If and when you try the olympus system make sure they bring you the super expensive dipping/coverslip water optic (25X1.12 NA) which they designed specifically for 2p.  It is absolutely spectacular, and pretty much the only lens we use for all our mpe work nowadays.  When you compare systems it may make you lean towards this particular manufacturer.  Of course the LaVision and Prairie scan heads will fit on the Oly stand, not sure whether they will work with this lens but it would be great to find out (anyone out there tried this combo yet).
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

________________________________________
From: Confocal Microscopy List [[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Adrian Smith [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Wednesday, May 13, 2009 8:04 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Recommendations for commercial multi-photon system purchase

On 14/05/2009, at 1:57 AM, Alison North wrote:

> If you were only interested in multiphoton imaging, the LaVision has
> certain advantages, but if you need visible lasers too then I'm
> afraid it won't suit your purposes.

I'm not sure of the details but the LaVision BioTec did mention some
confocal options to me in passing when we were discussing
specifications recently. We were not interested so I didn't ask any
details but it might be worth clarifying with them what they can
currently offer.

 From recollection I think the Prairie was also MP-only, at least when
we were looking (that was one of its selling points). Maybe that has
changed or I'm misrembering?

Regards,

Adrian Smith
Centenary Institute, Sydney, Australia