Lecture 2: Computer and Camlift Basics

1. Lecture 2: Computer and Camlift Basics Bio 498/698: January 27, 2012

2. Lecture Outline • Computer Start up • P-51 Camlift • Controls • Lens setup • Live View • Moving the Camlift • Taking a picture • Autorun

3. Computer Start Up 1: Press red button on power-strip 2: Press power button to start computer 3: When prompted (it will take a while), press CTRL-alt-delete 4: To log in, use the username bio2\user. No password needed, leave it blank and press enter. To open the 4 needed programs, you can use the programmed buttons on the far left of the keyboard. M1 = Opens the Camlift M2 = Opens Lightroom M3 = Opens Zerene Stacker M4 = Opens Photoshop

4. The P-51 Camlift

5. Camlift Controller When you open the lift (Key “M1”), click “OK” when prompted.

6. Camlift Controls

7. Setting Up the Lens • ALWAYS SET UP LENS BEFORE: • Camera is set up on lift or, • A lens is changed • Scroll over Settings and click on “Edit Step Settings”

8. Setting Up the Lens, continued With Step Settings window open, click on “Set Up Lens”

9. Setting Up the Lens, continued • In Set Up Lens window, click on lens and aperture (F#) being used. • Click “Save” • In Step Settings window, click “Apply” then “Ok”

10. Live View To open Live View click on the ‘Live View’ button on the Camlift control panel You’ll hear a click from the camera and a window will open, displaying everything the camera “sees”. Live View

11. Live View Point of Interest Outline Grid Select White Balance Magnify

12. Live View Magnify Drag the point of interest outline to the desired position. In this example it is in the center, surrounding the words Live View Test. Click on the Magnify button

13. Live View De-magnify Magnified view (500%) To zoom out, hit the de-magnify button.

14. Moving the Camlift up and down • The Up and Down buttons: The amount you move the Camlift up or down is governed by the step size you have selected with the ‘Step Size Slider’. Gross Movement Slider Up and Down buttons Emergency stop button Step Size Slider

15. Moving the Camlift up and down Gross Movement Slider Notice: As the Gross Movement Slider is in a lower position, the image of the specimen is clearer

16. Moving the Camlift up and down The Stop Button: If the Camlift is moving and is in danger of hitting something, this will stop it • The ‘Infinite’ Step size: allows the lift to move up or down continuously when held down • Other step sizes: move up/down once per click

17. Taking a picture Always close out of Live View before taking a picture! Step 1: Close out of Live View Step 2: Make sure Lightroom is open Step 3: Click on the ‘Take Picture’ button Step 4: The picture should now be visible in Lightroom Take Picture Take Picture button = Click this when the camera is connected and turned on and it will fire the camera and flash

18. Autorun: Taking Slices Start Here Highest in-focus point • At the highest point of the specimen that is in focus, click the ‘Start Here’ button

19. Lowest in-focus points Autorun: Taking Slices Stop Here • At the lowest in-focus point on the specimen, click the ‘Stop Here’ button

20. Autorun: Taking Slices When ‘Start Here’ and ‘Stop Here’ positions have been designated, click the ‘Autorun’ button • Make sure the Current Lens Magnification is the same as the yellow magnification on the lens is the same • Look at the Number of Slices (Try to keep the # under 25) • Hit the ‘Start button’ # Slices Current lens Magnification *Opening Autorun will close out of Live View

21. Autorun • Congratulations! You have now taken your first set of photographs. Be sure to check the Lightroom and ZereneStacker guides!