USER MANUAL
DIGITAL IMAGING MADE EASY
www.QIMAGING.com
RETIGA R™ SERIES USER MANUAL
Applicability
This document applies to the QImaging RETIGA R6, RETIGA R3, and RETIGA R1 R Series cameras. For the latest
updates, please visit www.qimaging.com.
Notice of Copyright
Copyright © 2015 Quantitative Imaging Corporation. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication of this
document is prohibited.
Trademarks and Proprietary Names
QImaging, RETIGA R6, RETIGA R3, and RETIGA R1 are trademarks of QImaging. PVCAM® is a registered
trademark of Roper Scientific, Inc. Product names mentioned in this document may be trademarks or registered
trademarks of QImaging or other hardware, software, or service providers and are used herein for identification
purposes only. Microsoft® and Windows® are registered trademarks in the U.S. and other countries of Microsoft
Corporation and are used herein for identification purposes only.
QImaging Corporation Address Information
19535 56th Avenue,
Suite 101
Surrey, BC, Canada V3S 6K3
604.530.5800
www.qimaging.com
QImaging Technical Support
Technical support is available to all registered users of QImaging products from 6am to 5pm Pacific Standard
Time.
support@qimaging.com
800.874.9789
http://www.qimaging.com/support/contact
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RETIGA R™ SERIES USER MANUAL
QIMAGING LIMITED WARRANTY
Standard Product Warranty Plan
A Standard Product Warranty Plan is included with every QImaging camera purchase. This Warranty Plan
includes parts and labor for two full years (starting from the shipping date of the camera). The Standard
Product Warranty Plan is provided on all new and used equipment, including retired demonstration cameras.
Extended Product Warranty Plan
Extended Product Warranty Plans are reasonably priced and very easy to purchase. Available for all QImaging
cameras currently under warranty, the Extended Product Warranty Plan includes parts and labor, and is
available for an additional three-year period to extend your warranty to five years.
When you purchase an Extended Product Warranty Plan from QImaging, you are assured of our commitment
to minimizing down times. Your needs are our top priority and QImaging responds immediately. The QImaging
Service and Support team is focused on expediting all customer requests to provide a fast and complete
solution.
QImaging also offers on-site training as well as online operational training programs. These programs are
designed to get you up and running with your new camera quickly and efficiently.
Contact a QImaging Representative to learn more about Extended Product Warranty Plan options.
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Retiga R Series Certificate of Conformity
RETIGA R™ SERIES USER MANUAL
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RETIGA R™ SERIES USER MANUAL
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................. 1
System Components .........................................................................................................1
Precautions ........................................................................................................................2
Environmental Conditions for Operation and Storage ......................................................... 2
Optics and Mounting .........................................................................................................2
Cleaning ............................................................................................................................3
Repair ................................................................................................................................3
INSTALLATION ............................................................................................................... 4
Host Computer Requirements ............................................................................................4
Camera Power Requirements .............................................................................................5
Install the Camera Driver .................................................................................................... 5
Connect the Camera .......................................................................................................... 5
Note on Selecting the Optimal USB 3.0 Port: ...................................................................... 6
Note on Optimum Mounting of QI Retiga R Series Cameras ...............................................8
USING YOUR QI Retiga R Series Camera ...................................................................... 9
Imaging Software ............................................................................................................... 9
Basic Camera Parameters ...................................................................................................9
Exposure Time ....................................................................................................................9
Gain State .......................................................................................................................... 9
Sensor Cooling .................................................................................................................10
Clearing Mode ................................................................................................................. 10
ROI / Binning .................................................................................................................... 11
Device Synchronization ...................................................................................................11
Trigger-First Mode ............................................................................................................11
Bulb Mode ....................................................................................................................... 12
Recommended Initial Settings .........................................................................................13
Embedded Image Processing Algorithms ..........................................................................14
Defective Pixel Correction ................................................................................................. 14
TROUBLESHOOTING .................................................................................................... 15
Resolving Problems with the Camera ................................................................................ 15
Unresolved Problems - Contacting QImaging Support ......................................................17
SPECIFICATIONS ........................................................................................................... 18
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CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
The QI Retiga R Series Camera is the ideal
camera for highly sensitive microscopic
imaging and documentation. With peak
quantum efficiency of 75%, combined with
extraordinarily low electronic and thermal
noise, the QI Retiga R Series cameras
provide higher resolution and sensitivity in
a form factor that saves space in laboratory
settings. The QI Retiga R Series Cameras
utilizes a USB 3.0 data connection for a
fast and easy installation, while maintaining
backwards compatibility for USB 2.0 at
reduced data rates for use with a variety of
host computers.
This manual describes the installation and
configuration procedures for your new
QI Retiga R Series camera. Descriptions
of QI Retiga R Series camera settings are
also included. Any differences between
individual models will be noted in the text.
System Components
Your new camera system includes:
■
QI Retiga R Series camera: Retiga R6, Retiga R3, or Retiga R1
■
7.5V DC, 2.5A power supply (actual model may vary)
■
USB 3.0 cable
■
Ocular software
■
USB flash drive: PVCAM driver, manual, datasheet, training materials
RETIGA R™ SERIES USER MANUAL
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RETIGA R™ SERIES USER MANUAL
Precautions
The QI Retiga R Series camera system electronics are extremely sensitive to electrostatic discharge (ESD). To
avoid permanently damaging the system, please observe the following precautions:
■
If you are using high-voltage equipment (such as an arc lamp) with your camera system, be sure to
turn the camera power on last and power the camera off first.
■
Never connect or disconnect any cable while the camera system is powered on.
■
Although you should turn off the camera’s power supply before disconnecting any camera system
cable, you do not need to power off your computer to detach the cables.
■
Use caution when triggering high-current switching devices (such as an arc lamp) near your system.
The image sensor can be permanently damaged by transient voltage spikes. If electrically noisy
devices are present, an isolated, conditioned power line or dedicated isolation transformer is highly
recommended.
■
Always leave at least one inch of space around the camera housing.
■
Never open the camera. There are no user-serviceable parts inside the QI Retiga R Series camera.
Opening the camera voids the warranty.
■
Use only the USB 3.0 interface, cables, and power supply designated for this camera system. Using
non- QI Retiga R Series cables or power supplies may result in permanent damage to your system.
■
Do not use a C-mount lens that has optics that extend behind the flange of the lens.
Environmental Conditions for Operation and Storage
Your QI Retiga R Series camera system should be operated in a clean, dry environment. The camera system’s
ambient operating temperature is 0°C to 30°C with 80% relative humidity, noncondensing. Contact QImaging
customer service for information if operating outside of this range.
To protect your QI Retiga camera during storage, use its original containers. To protect the system from
excessive heat, cold, and moisture, store at an ambient temperature between -20°C and 60°C with a relative
humidity of 0% to 90%, noncondensing.
Optics and Mounting
QI Retiga R Series camera lens mount accepts a standard 1” diameter, C-mount lens or adapter. The camera is
also compatible with a standard C-mount lenses as long as its optics do not extend behind the flange of the
lens.
If desired, the QI Retiga R Series cameras may be mounted to a tripod or other device using the mounting
attachment located on each side of the camera’s front plate. See the Specifications chapter for more
information.
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RETIGA R™ SERIES USER MANUAL
Cleaning
Clean the exterior surfaces of the camera with a dry, lint-free cloth. To remove stains, contact QImaging
Support. To clean the camera’s imaging window, use only a filtered compressed-air source. Handheld cans are
not recommended, as they may spray propellant onto the window. Do not touch the window.
Repair
The QI Retiga R Series camera system contains no user-serviceable parts. Repairs must be done by QImaging.
Should your camera system need repair, contact QImaging Support. Please save the original packing materials
so you can safely ship the camera system to another location or return it for repairs if necessary.
IMPORTANT: DO NOT OPEN the camera. Opening the QI Retiga R Series camera voids the warranty.
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RETIGA R™ SERIES USER MANUAL
CHAPTER 2
INSTALLATION
This chapter will detail the proper installation of your QI Retiga R Series camera. In order to install and use the
camera, the following items are required:
■
QI Retiga R Series camera (supplied)
■
USB 3.0 data cable (supplied)
■
7.5V DC, 2.5A power supply (supplied)
■
USB PVCAM Driver “installer” (supplied and also available on the QImaging website)
■
110V/220V power connection
■
A PVCAM compatible imaging application, such as Ocular (supplied)
■
A PC that meets host computer requirements
Optional items that are included with your Retiga R Series camera:
■
Trigger cable
Host Computer Requirements
The host computer for your QI Retiga R Series camera must include:
■
Windows 7 or Windows 8 operating system (64 bits)
■
2.0 GHz or faster Intel processor: either Xeon or Core i5
■
4+ GB RAM
■
250+ GB serial ATA (SATA) HDD and/or >64 GB solid state drive (SDD) for high-speed imaging and
storage
■
256+ MB slot-based ATI/NVIDIA video graphics card (i.e., not an “onboard/integrated graphics”
adapter)
■
USB port or Internet access to install the driver
■
At least one USB 3.0 interface port (USB2.0 is supported, but at reduced frame rate)
NOTE: Minimum requirements as of December 2015. Supported computer systems will change as new
cameras, computer hardware, and operating systems are introduced and older models then become obsolete.
For current information on recommended computer specifications, please visit: http://www.qimaging.com/
support/recommended-computer-specifications.php
NOTE: The QI Retiga camera will also operate from a USB2 port by reducing the maximum readout speed from
50MHz to 17.5 MHz, impacting achievable frame rates.
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