[OpenSPIM] Camera for OpenSPIM

[Luke Stuyvenberg]

Hi Hartmann,

In theory, the OpenSPIM system should be able to work with any camera Micro-Manager can communicate with. The standard setup's specification of an Orca ER on Windows XP was because it was a combination we knew for a fact worked with MM at the time. Branching out into other cameras carries a certain risk, since we can't personally test all possibilities, but I (and, doubtless, the Micro-Manager mailing list) would be happy to help if you run into any trouble trying to get a certain camera working with Micro-Manager.


Given the above, I would say the answers to the second two questions are "yes" for each -- in that other cameras, the Orca4 included, should already be compatible with OpenSPIM. The http://openspim.org/Who_has_an_OpenSPIM%3F page has two good examples -- the Heidelberg OpenSPIM using an Orca4, and the Goldstein group at Cambridge using the Photometrics Coolsnap Myo. (As a little advertisement for that page, we'd be delighted if, when your system is completed, you could add it to that list!)


Could you elaborate on the anticipated problems with DCAM on i.e. Windows 7? I'm not familiar with all the issues -- Hamamatsu's website claims the DCAM-API should work on Windows 7 provided certain prerequisites (see http://dcam-api.com/assets/pdfs/DCAM-API-for-Windows-20131008-Compatibility-Note.pdf for details) are satisfied.


Thanks,
Luke

On 11/18/13, Hartmann Harz  wrote:
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Hi all,
> 
> We have started to build up an OpenSPIM set up at the biology department in Munich. All parts with the exception of the camera have been ordered now. My concern are the problems with the DCAM driver for the recommended Orca ER. At the moment a Windows XP operating system is OK for us, however on the long run we have to upgrade the operating system. Therefore I ask for your advice:
> 
> Would you recommend to by the Orca ER and wait for a bug fix?
> Are there any plans to integrate other cameras soon?
> In the June 2013 archive I read about the COS Heidelberg OpenSPIM equipped with an Orca4 camera. Could this be an option for us?
> 
> We have only a weak background in programming. Therefore I would prefer to stay close to the standard.
> 
> 
> 
> Looking forward to your reply,
> 
> 
> 
> Hartmann
> 
> -- Dr. H. Harz BioImaging Zentrum der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München Großhaderner Straße 2 - 4 82152 Martinsried Germany Phone: +49(89)218074 191 Fax: +49(89)21809974 191 Mail: harz at biz.uni-muenchen.de <harz at biz.uni-muenchen.de>