Total time = Σ(channels) × Σ(Z-planes) × (exposure + readout + overhead_per_frame) + stage_overhead. For multi-camera simultaneous acquisition: overhead_per_frame may be zero for grouped channels. For filter wheel: add ~1 second per channel change per Z-plane. Stage tiling adds movement time between positions.
Time Metric
Total Acquisition Time
How long until you're done?
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Definition
The complete time required to acquire all images for a sample, including exposures, readout, mechanical movements, and any overhead. This is the bottom-line metric users care about for workflow planning.
Technical Details
Simplified
The clock time from pressing 'Start' to having all your data. It's not just exposure time multiplied out—all the little delays for filter changes, stage moves, and camera readout add up, especially for large Z-stacks.
Why It Matters
For the Tzumin Lee Lab's fly brain imaging with 500 Z-planes and 6 channels, total acquisition time can range from ~1 minute (5-camera simultaneous) to ~10+ minutes (3-camera with filter wheel). This 10× difference is the core argument for the multi-camera approach.
Practical Example
500 Z-planes, 6 channels, 100ms exposure: Sequential with filter wheel (1s/change): 500 × 6 × 0.1 + 500 × 5 × 1 = 300 + 2500 = 2800 sec (~47 min). Simultaneous 5-camera after DAPI: 500 × 0.1 × 2 stages + 1 dichroic change = ~101 sec (~1.7 min).