I have a question. When I was getting back into collecting I started browsing this site and noticed that people were talking about the equipment that they used for collecting. The main thing being a stereo microscope and other items. I've also noticed that people have mentioned upgrading equipment also. At that point I went to the Advertising section to see if some were for sale from someone that had upgraded since I didn't have one. So my question is: Why don't we have these items for sale on here? I would have much rather buy from someone on here since they would have been chosen for this hobby. I would believe that I would be getting equipment that was definitely taken good care of, and would know that it has been in pristine environment since everyone on here wants their coins untainted. So what do you guys do with your old equipment when you upgrade? Some YN or newb would benefit from getting good equipment at a reasonable price if it was available here.
I seldom upgrade. If it works, why change? The old equipment I don't use is just a reminder of what way NOT to go, so why would I sell it? If I find a spectacular deal on something that I do use, I may buy another. But I don't have to have anything cause I'm content to use what I have.
I've been looking for a stereo microscope for about a year, searching kijiji, ebay, pawn shops etc. It would be great if one of the members that had an extra one would post it.
Obviously, it depends on the kind of collecting you do. Error detection is one area, especially if you need to authenticate that the error happened in the Mint and was not faked outside the Mint. Generally, for Repunched Mint Marks and such, a simple loupe (14x or so) is more than enough. If you goto a convention and hand your coin over to a third party grader, they will look at it naked eye first and if they see something interesting, use a 14x loupe. Do you have an electronic scale? Most collectors of US coins do not need them. However, collectors of ancients use them routinely. Do you have a triple beam balance? Can you run a specific gravity test? The equipment you need depends on the collecting you do. A couple of years ago, I picked up a handheld 100x microscope at Radio Shack and it sits on my bookshelf: I never used it. I rely on Bausch & Lomb 5x handhelds in little black slipcases.
I use a dual-eyepiece stereomicroscope with zoom capability, but at some point in the future, I will upgrade to a trinocular microscope. When I bought my current one about 6 years ago, the trinocular wasn't available at a reasonable price. I don't recommend a hand-held scope. Even with the optional stand, it is not too functional. The scope mounts on a swing-arm and uses LED lighting instead of halogen. The swing-arm is not stable enough to place the scope directly over the subject so your photos must be taken at an angle. To me, the LED lighting is inadequate. Today, the prices for a good trinocular microscope are less than what I paid for my stereomicroscope, but you want to be sure that it has zoom capability rather than separate magnification lenses. The problem with separate magnification lenses, usually three on the scope, is that there is no "in-between". It is either one or the other which doesn't allow you any flexibility in framing your photos. Having a 14x loupe for examining errors and varieties at shows is one thing, but it doesn't do too much good if you need to take super close-up photos to transmit via e-mail to someone. I collect Morgan VAM's as well as other varieties and errors, and I use my microscope practically every day. I guess if I had one of the hand-held varieties, it would be sitting on the shelf, too! Chris
Well my point was that people do upgrade and they buy better equipment. The equipment that they no longer use I'm sure is in great condition and would be perfect for a YN or newb that may not have the funds to buy exactly what would be the optimal setup. Also members here could give advice to the persons that are looking to purchase these items. I know they can still get advice here but as far as used equipment I know that a coin collectors equipment would be in better shape than someone doing electronic soldering in their garage or workshop. Not that it would not work just as good but I know you guys take care of your equipment and if I was looking for something I would prefer to purchase a scope from a collector than someone soldering on the scope.
Thanks for that advice Chris and that setup in the pic is really nice. I don't have a tri but would love one for pics. I'm currently using my iPhone thru the scope since I can't find my charger for my camera. My hands aren't steady with the iPhone either. ;-)~
Here is my setup: http://imgs.inkfrog.com/pix/coop49/WHAT_I_USE.jpg I hold my camera and shoot through the lens. I tossed the lighting that came with the scope about a day after I received the scope and did something else as the regular lighting on scopes is not acceptable for coin images. I agree with the adjustable zoom over the dual/triple X's on the scopes. Getting too much magnification is also not a good thing. Thus I use the zoom 7.5-35X best for what I use the scope for.
Nice setup also Coop and I like the idea of the zoom also. Mine is a scope that I found on Craig's List but definitely not a coin setup like that, but the thing is to be able to have a route to upgrade when cash becomes available. I didn't have the funds for a really nice scope, and other priorities take precedence at the moment. I will get one when funds allow or work my way up but I definitely need one.
Start a fund to save for one. Everyt ime you get a $10 bill set it aside till you get enough to save for what you need. You get $10 bill less often, so save them for just the purpose you want to obtain.
