Cheap Coin Microscope

Hi All,

Ever since I saw the Dino-Lite digital USB microscope demo at the Baltimore Coin Show I've wanted one. The problem is that I'm incredibly cheap and didn't want to pay hundreds of dollars for something I didn't know if I would like (long term).

The other day I was poking around Amazon.com and came across a cheap (inexpensive) Chinese knockoff for $34. I decided that it was time to risk throwing away some money to have a "digital USB microscope experience" (good or bad).

The package arrived in the mail a couple of days ago and I finally got up enough courage to mess with it tonight. It took a while to understand the broken English and to get the right drivers installed for my Windows-7 laptop. I grabbed a 2010 cent from my coin jar (below) and find that it takes some pretty nice pictures (takes video, too)...fyi.

Even without taking pictures, I find it's a very easy way to see details on my computer that are difficult to see with a loupe. :thumb:

 

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That's pretty awesome. Is that max depth of field? How much closer does it get? Does it have a built in lightsourc?

 

I have one very similar, but my focus is not quite as good as yours. How do you focus it so well?

 

I bought one 2 years ago and the focus adjustment broke in the 1st month of use.

 

I just began playing with mine so I'll answer as many questions as I can....

1. Light Source: Expensive models have eight (8) LEDs lights, but this one just has four (4). It also has a dimmer switch on the cord to reduce the light if needed. The pictures above have the light turned up about halfway (I was also in a well-lit room).

2. Max Depth of Field: There's no DoF control.

3. Magnification: I read some of the Amazon comments and I think the folks that gave low ratings didn't play with it enough first. Here's the deal...

A. The camera advertises 25x-200x magnification. That's probably accurate.

B. At any distance from the target, the camera has two (2) focal points (low/high magnification).

C. If you want to fine tune the magnification between those two points, you need to vary the distance between the camera and the target.

D. The camera comes with a very short stand which holds the camera steady for high magnification.

E. Macro photography of the entire coin can be tricky because the camera has to be at a distance from the target that exceeds the reach of the stand. Forget about holding it in your hand...you'll never get it steady enough. You either need a different stand or simply place the provided stand on books (hanging the camera over the edge) to create the needed separation.

The first two (2) pictures below show the same 2010 cent "zoomed out" using the "book" technique. The last picture is zoomed in to show the lower loop of the "B" in "Liberty". The camera can zoom in even more, but for demo purposes, it's hard to find a readily identifiable device at that level of magnification. I'm sure I can take better pictures once I get better with the lighting and focus. These are quick pictures I'm taking right out of the box.

This camera is just whetting my appetite for one of the more expensive Dino-Lite models with the fancy stands and measurement software. This one is a blast to play with and loads directly to my computer...well worth $34 (imo)...which is why I thought I should share.

 

So wait, it is a magnifier and a camera right? Does it only plug into a computer?

 

Yep...it plugs directly into the computer via the Universal Serial Bus (USB) port...which is how it gets power. The microscope/camera also comes with software that can capture/enhance pictures/video as they display on the computer.

 

Mine is almost the same (except black and 2 MP), but my super close ups are just above average. Yours are great!

Specifically, how did you get such a close up of the "B" in LIBERTY? Is ther a trick I don't know about?

 

Well.... to properly look at old coins, one needs old glass. Perhaps my 1885 Bausch & Lomb would do the trick ???

 

I don't think so. I just put the camera right down on top of the coin...with just enough space to move the coin around underneath. I then adjust the focus until the image becomes clear. As I mentioned earlier, I find that my unit has two (2) focal points, one more magnified than the other. If you have the focus wheel turned to one side and the target is in focus try turning it the other way until the target comes into focus again. You may find that one to be way more magnified. That's all I can think of.

 

That was the trick! I can split hairs now!

 

Here's a few more pics I just took of an 1866 IHC with some interesting features. This was a little more difficult since I didn't want to take it out of its AirTite. I had to angle the LEDs slightly so they didn't reflect off the plastic.

Interesting reverse die crack...



Interesting obverse die crack...



A couple of pictures of the Obverse lettering. Repunched letters? ...or is that how they're supposed to look?

 

Sweet! (fun...isn't it?)

 

Sweetness! These are bargains at $35-$40.

 

We have used a Dino Lite camera to take the photos in the set linked below::devil:

http://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/showcase.aspx?sc=1165

 

Very nice!!

I'm sure I'll be upgrading at some point. No question...the Dino-Lite products and software are far superior. I'm glad I got this one first to see if I would like it. I was planning on paying $700 for a macro lens to do essentially the same thing...but without the magnification and convenience.

Are there any drawbacks to the Dino-Lite products you care to share?

 

Getting the external lighting right is the biggest drawback.

The internal lights stink!

 

Interesting...thanks!

 

I just purchased a 800X 2mp on eBay for 45$ today I hope it works as well as yours.

 

let us know. Post pics.