Gatan Camera vacuum leak

[Bob Grassucci]

Hi All,
	We have run into a reoccurring problem with our 2K Gatan CCD camera on our 
Tecnai F20.  When the camera is inserted the vacuum degrades by about 10 
log units in the projection chamber.  We sent it back to Gatan and after 4 
weeks it was returned with the problem not fixed.  They suggested we slow 
down the insertion to approximately 20-30 seconds.  We did this by 
adjusting the pressure from the red brake line.  This only partially helped 
(now it jumps 7 log units) but it made the ccd camera much less user 
friendly.  We hesitate to leave the camera inserted because most of our 
data is collected on film and we do not want to drop any "stuff" on the 
camera.  Has anyone experienced a similar problem and if so has Gatan found 
a better solution that you can share?  I would appreciate any input.  Thank 
you.
	Bob

Robert Grassucci
Howard Hughes Medical Institute at The Wadsworth Center
Empire State Plaza
Albany, NY 12201-0509
Phone: (518)474-5821
Fax: (518)486-2191
E-Mail: bobg at wadsworth.org