Hello, I'd like to try to hook up a microscope to my computer to look at coins & capture detailed pics. What would you recommend. I saw someone had a $50 eBay microscope they were trying to sell on eBay. A similar model is: 250529082168. I know it is a chi-made scope, is it that bad? I see some others in the $300 range. Thanks for any help!
Mecha- Do a search here for scopes and you'll find a lot of answers. One piece of advice that I can give you, even though I don't own a decent scope yet, is don't buy the $50 Ebay scope. I bought a $100 scope from Celestron(a very reputable maker) and even that was crap for coins. I would expect to pay in the $300-$500 range for a decent one that you won't eventually be disappointed in. Also, go for either a stereo scope or even better, a trinocular.
I have the Celestron myself, couldn't find it locally so had to order it online. Works great but you have to use a disk to install it on differnet computers as it's not plug and play.
I had a digital blue USB microscope that I used to take closups of RPMS. It worked quite well for the price actually, but definitely could have been better.
I ordered an eBay cheapie from China a week ago, simply because I need magnification to see errors on my monitor. I read some reviews and e-mailed a previous buyer who thought it might work for my needs. As soon as it gets here, I will give you the entire run down. I don;t expect a lot out of it, nut until I can find something I am willing to spend some real money on, I want to see it this even begins to adress my needs. I believe Jallengomez gave sound advice. gary
> Stay away from the Chinese junk! From what I've read from others, you're wasting your money. > Buy a trinocular stereomicroscope if you can afford it. With the third eyepiece dedicated for the camera attachment, you never have to remove the camera to make adjustments in focus and enlargement. > Buy a model with zoom capability rather than one that has the standard three, fixed-focal length magnifications. There will be many times when you might want to fine tune the size of the image somewhere in between, and you can't do it with fixed magnification. > As for lighting, your best bet is to buy a scope that has a built-in halogen lamp above the specimen table. Halogen is far superior to LCD. > Make sure that the camera can be connected to your computer via USB. The microscope does not need a connection to your computer. The camera does! The microscope models that are "all-in-one" (Lights! Camera! Action!) are usually cheaper, but they just don't perform as well. > Be aware that most scopes don't come with the camera attachment. It is an option that costs extra. Chris
Sound advice for sure. But since I don't know if my vision is sufficient to benefit from having one. I opted for an inexpensive trial run. If it doesn't work, I'll list it on eBay and take the loss. But I didn't want to spend any real money until I had a better idea as to how I would be able to use it. And, since I gave up trying to ever get a decent pic anyway, it's to view the image on my laptop. gary
Thanks for the info. I'll let you know what I find. Maybe I can get a heads up before I buy it. Thanks!!
Chris's comments are right on. The one thing I would add ( especially for Gary) is to get a triocular stereozoom scope, but make sure that one eyepiece is in a diopter adjusting mount. This allows me to use the scope with out my bifocals. You close the eye with the diopter adj. mount and focus ( without glasses) on a coin through the other eyepiece and get it sharp. Then close that eye and open the one with the mount. If it is dead on sharp without focusing, you are set, but usually not. So without moving the main focus, twist the adjustment until that eye comes into sharp focus. Now whenever you need to look , both eyes are focused without glasses. When I taught, only one student could not adjust to this method as their eye was too far off. Then move the 2 eyepiece tubes so you only see 1 image, and you are set! You will never get the sharpness and depth of focus with other scopes. They are initially more expensive, but mine is over 35 years old and going well with just a dust cover. I like B & L stereozoom scopes as they are hardy and well built. If you have a lot of gold, the Lietz and Nikon are a dream. If the scope uses standard size ocular, ( I have 5x, 10x and 20x) you can get a wide range of magnification. Jim
I'd like to have stereomicroscope with attached camera. But then I sit back and ask myself why. After an initial burst of imaging I think it would end up gathering dust in a corner somewhere. As a collector I can't justify the expense. It's more a dealer item, or a researcher. One thing I've noticed is that if you don't fork over the big bucks, the digital imaging part is weak. I'd want something that could go at least to 1200 dpi.
I've had mine for about 5 years now, and there is hardly a week that goes by that I don't use it for examination and imaging. I guess a lot depends on what you're collecting. If VAM's, varieties and errors are part of your bailiwick, then it can be very useful. Chris PS. I always keep the dust cover on it anyway!
If/When I start my die marriage set of Capped Bust half cents THEN might be the time for me to invest in a stereomicroscope. TBD
