How do you capture seed morphology images?

Digital image capture is via a Zeiss Axiocam HR system.

Axiocam at the Millennium Seed Bank

For small seeds the axiocam is mounted on a Zeiss Stemi SV11 stereomicroscope, with ring and sub-stage lighting provided by Schott KL 1500 sources.

For larger seed and fruits we mount a manual focus Nikon 55mm macro lens on the Axiocam camera, using them in conjunction with a Kaiser illuminated copy-stand (effectively a desk-top, or mini studio), which has fluorescent strip light sources above and below. For larger seeds and fruits we are also using a digital SLR (Nikon D700) and 60mm macro lens, together with the Nikon R1 lighting system.

See our seed image gallery

Saving seeds