Overview of the Zeiss Imager Z2
The Zeiss Imager Z2 offers advanced imaging capabilities, combining high resolution with features like 3D rendering, extended depth of focus, and precise stage control. This microscope is designed for researchers tracking cellular components or studying dynamic processes, providing the clarity and precision needed for in-depth research.
Key features
Software
Powered by ZEN 3 Pro software, the Zeiss Imager Z2 provides advanced tools for image acquisition, analysis, and visualisation. This software is ideal for research requiring precise imaging and data handling.
Objective control
The microscope offers both manual and automated control for flexible, accurate magnification adjustments, ensuring ease of use across a range of research applications.
Stage control
With both manual and automated control across the X, Y, and Z axes, this system ensures accurate and repeatable sample positioning. This is crucial for complex imaging workflows where precise movement is needed.
Capabilities
3D rendering
The system combines multiple focal planes to create three-dimensional images, offering detailed views of specimens for a more comprehensive analysis.
Differential interference contrast (DIC)
DIC imaging enhances contrast in transparent specimens without the need for staining, allowing high-detail imaging of live or delicate samples.
Extended depth of focus
This feature merges multiple focal planes into one image, improving clarity and sharpness for structures at various depths, which is especially useful for complex, 3D specimens.
Fluorescence imaging
The system enables fluorescence imaging, allowing you to observe fluorescently labelled samples. This feature is perfect for tracking specific cellular components or molecules over time.
Tiling
With the tiling feature, the system captures overlapping images and stitches them together to create a large, detailed composite. This is ideal for imaging larger samples or areas of interest.
Time lapse
Time lapse imaging records a series of images over time, making it easy to study dynamic changes in living samples, such as cell division or cell movement.
Z-stack
The Z-stack feature creates 3D images by stacking multiple focal depths. This allows for enhanced clarity when imaging complex structures at different focal planes.
Objectives
The Zeiss Imager Z2 is equipped with a range of Zeiss objectives for different magnifications and imaging needs:
- Zeiss 2.5X/0.75 ∞/0.17 – EC Plan-Neofluar: Low magnification, wide field of view, suitable for large area imaging.
- Zeiss 5X/0.16 ∞/0.17 – EC Plan-Neofluar: Low magnification, general-purpose lens for overview imaging.
- Zeiss 10X/0.3 ∞/0.17 – EC Plan-Neofluar: Medium magnification, high-resolution lens for detailed specimen imaging.
- Zeiss 20X/0.5 ∞/0.17 – EC Plan-Neofluar: High magnification for enhanced contrast and more detailed specimen imaging.
- Zeiss 40X/0.75 ∞/0.17 – EC Plan-Neofluar: High magnification for enhanced detail and high-contrast images.
- Zeiss 63X/1.4 oil DIC ∞/0.17 – Plan-Neofluar: Very high magnification with oil immersion and DIC for imaging fine structures and high-contrast details.
Light source
The Colibri LED light source offers multiple wavelength options for fluorescence imaging:
- 385 nm LED
- 430 nm LED
- 475 nm LED
- 555 nm LED
- 590 nm LED
- 630 nm LED
- 735 nm LED
These wavelength options provide flexibility for various fluorescence applications.
Filters
The Zeiss Imager Z2 includes a variety of Zeiss filter sets for enhanced fluorescence imaging:
- Zeiss Filter Set 20HE
- Zeiss Filter Set 38HE
- Zeiss Filter Set 43
- Zeiss Filter Set 49
- Zeiss Filter Set 50
- Zeiss Filter Set 62HE
- Zeiss Filter Set 112
These filter sets allow for specific wavelength selection to optimize fluorescence capture.
Cameras
The system includes two camera options:
- AxioCam 208: A colour camera designed for high-resolution imaging and capturing detailed colour images of your samples.
- AxioCam MRm: A black-and-white camera for high-contrast imaging, perfect for capturing detailed visualisation of structures.