We will be buying a confocal microscope system that will also be used occasionally as a two-photon microscope. We are deciding between buying a Zeiss confocal system (most likely the LSM 410 since the 510 supposedly can't be used readily with a two-photon laser) and the latest Leica confocal system. We have used both systems, and while the Leica hardware seems superior (for example, their galvonometer z-stage was really nice), the Leica software was really buggy. Also, you can't write your own macros with the Leica software.

We are not sure which system to buy yet and are interested in hearing any comments people have about the two systems, particularly the Leica which seems still in the development stage.

Mary Teruel