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

Dear Kathy,

in the facility here at EMBL we have one spinning disk microscope equipped
with an ORCA-ER and another one with a Hamamatsu EMCCD camera. When users
switched from the system with the conventional CCD camera to the system with
the EMCCD camera we often got complaints regarding the image quality. Reason
is the higher camera noise of the EMCCD camera which is noticeable
especially if the EM gain is increased.
Since you don't want to image very fast I personally don't see a reason why
you should use an EMCCD camera. A back thinned CCD camera should better fit
your needs.
But please keep in mind that this is rather theoretical and I always prefer
to practically test equipment. Why not getting two cameras for testing (e.g.
an EMCCD and a conventional one) and see which one performs better with your
sample (and also which one is better to keep your cells happy). 

Regards
Arne 
 

____________________________________________________
 
Arne Seitz, Scientific Officer
Advanced Light Microscopy Facility
EMBL Heidelberg
 
+49 6221 387 8467
-----Ursprüngliche Nachricht-----
Von: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Im
Auftrag von Kathryn Spencer
Gesendet: Dienstag, 3. Juli 2007 00:42
An: [log in to unmask]
Betreff: Hamamatsu EMCCD

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

Hello all;
	We are leaning toward the purchase of the Hamamatsu EMCCD
camera. Would anyone be able to share their experience/recommendations
for this camera? We do long-term live-cell timelapse microscopy,
Yokogawa spinning disk, one frame/ 10 min, usually at 60-100x with 1.5x
Optovar, looking at very tiny dendritic spines, labeled with eGFP and
mCherry. However, we also look at lower magnification (10-20x) cell
migration and cell spreading, one frame every 5 seconds or so. Nothing
really fast (less than 1 second). We like the small(ish) pixel size, but
also the ability to keep our exposure times short to keep the cells
happy.
	Thank you for any comments you can provide about this camera.
	Kathy