Biomicroscopy Photography
A. Common components to all photo slit lamps
i. Internal electronic flash
ii. Image compensation device
a. Prism
b. Beam splitter
c. Mirror
iii. Camera body (usually 35 mm body)
B. Components that may vary with manufacturer
i. Beam splitters
a. Fixed or removable
b. % transmission of light to observer
ii. Magnifications
iii. Background illumination system
iv. Shutter release position
v. Motor drive for camera
vi. Device for stereo photography
vii. Polaroid film back for camera
viii. Multiple slit projection
ix. Device for endothelium photography
Available Slit Lamp cameras
i. Topcon SL-7E: $11,080
a. Image deviation: Quick-return mirror
b. Mags: 1X, 1.6X, 2.5X, 4X
c. Observer: 6X, 10X, 16X, 25X, 40X
d. Background illumination: fiber optics, 2 steps
e. Stereo device: optional
f. Endothelium device: optional - photo mags of 17.5X and 28X
g. Necessary settings: Flash intensity, Background
h. Options: Polaroid attachment, video attachment, barrier filter
Pachometer, Images can be stored into ImageNet software
ii. Nikon FS-3: $12,859
a. Image deviation: Quick-return mirror
b. Mags: Zooms from 1X to 4.3X
c. Observer: Zooms from 7.5X to 32.3X
Includes click stops at 7.5X, 10X, 16X, 25X, 30X
d. Background illumination: Fiber optics, 3 steps
e. Stereo device: optional
f. Endothelium device: optional - photo mags of 7.5X to 32.3X
g. Necessary settings: Automatic menu driven exposure settings
1. Six exposure buttons based upon structure being photographed
2. Automatic feature may be overridden for manual exposure
h. Options: Polaroid attachment, diffuser
iii. Kowa SC-1200: $21,995
a. Image deviation: Quick-return mirror
b. Mags: 0.8X, 1.3X, 2.1X, 3.3X, 5.2X
c. Stereo Mags: 0.7X, 1.1X, 1.7X, 2.8X, 4.3X
d. Observer: 6X, 10X, 16X, 25X, 40X
e. Background illumination: Fill in flash, 2 steps
f. Stereo device: standard - photographs through 2 separate paths
g. Endothelium device: not available
h. Necessary Settings: 7 step automated flash output
Automated settings can be compensated manually
i. Options: Polaroid attachment, retroillumination attachment
Fluorescein attachment, full frame attachment
iv. Zeiss 40 SL/P: $34,000
a. Image deviation: Mirror
b. Mags: 1.2X, 1.8X, 2.9X, 4.6X, 7.2X
c. Observer: 6X, 10X, 16X, 25X, 40X
d. Background illumination: Fill in flash - 3 steps
Computer control or manual override
e. Stereo Device: optional
f. Endothelium Device: optional
g. Necessary settings: Flash intensity, Background
Non-photographic Slit Lamps
i. This type of photography is made possible by use of a beam splitter
ii. Also requires external flash unit
iii. Slit lamps that allow these attachments include
a. Topcon SL-2E: $1,180
b. Zeiss 30SL/M: $3,142
c. Rodenstock 2000: $1,800
d. Nikon CS-2: $1,500
e. Marco 4: $2,090
Ocular photography through eyepiece of non-photographic slit lamps
i. This photography is made possible with attachment to eyepiece
ii. Mounts a 35mm camera body to optics of ocular
iii. Uses the normal illumination system of slit lamp
iv. Works best with aperture preferred automatic camera body
a. Replace split image viewfinder screen with ground glass screen
b. Film type best is Tungsten with ISO number of 160 or 640
v. S&L Optics
a. 35mm adaptor: $395
b. Lightweight adaptor that fits over eyepiece of slit lamp
c. Quick to setup, portable and easy to use
d. Available for almost any slit-lamp
vi. Technical Enterprises
a. TE-400 Max Ophthalmic Documentation System: $1,295
b. Includes 35 mm Minolta Maxxum 7000 camera body
with modified viewing screen and data back
c. Adaptor includes 10X eyepiece, carrying case
d. Available for almost any slit-lamp
vii. Various
a. There are many microscope adapters that allow you to use a camera
b. Attaches camera body to eyepiece of your slit-lamp
c. These devices usually require some modifications before they work
Modified from C.E. lecture by Dr. David Perrigin - University of
Houston - College of Optometry
This page last revised on August 26, 1997.