MetaSystem Metafer - Troubleshooting - Image and Print Issues; Live Image Brightness and Focus; Image Contrast and FISH Signals; Printing and Disk Space Warnings

Quick Guide
15
Live image too dark.
Transmitted light:
a Light source not properly
centered.
a Luminous-field or conden-
ser aperture diaphragms
closed too far.
a Center light source and adjust
Köhler illumination (see above).
a Light level on the micro-
scope too low.
a Increase light intensity on mi-
croscope.
a Live image exposure time
too short.
a Increase live image exposure
time (§ see Ikaros or Metafer
manuals).
Fluorescence:
a Light source operating be-
yond recommended live-
span.
a Replace light source (burner,
light guide, if applicable, see
light source manual).
a Live image integration time
too short.
a Increase live image integration
time (§ see Ikaros/Isis or Meta-
fer manuals).
Image not in focus /
Manual Focusing is
impossible
a Objective damaged.
a Check objective’s front lens for
signs of damage. For immer-
sion objectives: Check,
whether ‘cushion’ mechanism
is working properly (front less
is moving inwards when a gen-
tle force is applied). Objectives
can only be repaired by micro-
scope manufacturer.
a No coverslip.
a Use coverslips for coverslip-
corrected objectives.
a Specimen too thick or une-
ven.
a Prepare fresh samples with re-
duced and homogeneous
thickness.
a Not sufficient immersion oil
for high magnification oil
objectives.
a Use more immersion oil.
a Wrong immersion oil (im-
mersion objectives).
a Use immersion oil specified by
microscope manufacturer for
the particular objective. For
fluorescence (FL) applications:
use only FL-compatible immer-
sion oil, e. g. ZEISS 518F.
a Motorized microscope:
stage was lowered to ‘Load’
position before microscope
was switched off. Metafer
use the current focus (Z) po-
sition as default focus plan
a Consult microscope manual
how to return to correct focus
plane.
a Metafer systems: Apply ‘Move
to Focus Plane’ command from
the ‘Tools’ menu (§ See