I’m taking the time to try and get used to my Bausch and Lomb Stereozoom 7 with some shots of some some Kennedy halves. In a week, I’ll have a device that should help keep my phone steady for the photos. Any insight into the lighting/photos and/or errors/varieties are appreciated. Also, any suggestions on what I might need to purchase to improve the setup is also appreciated. Here’s a photo of the light ring I use. Kennedy halves to follow in subsequent comments.
1964-D scratch on the reverse. No upraised metal. Will need to take some photos under a regular loupe.
Unfortunately the only way to know if these are DDO(s) or DDR(s) is to go on the variety sites and check . Why ? There's MDO,and MDR for this year . Unfortunately no pictures of the master dies ...
I’m wanting to first verify that there’s split serifs and I’m actually seeing what I think I am before continuing. Thanks. I’m trying to see if all of them look like split serif or not. This was 4/14 1964 Kennedy halves I looked at (seemingly high percentage for varieties), so I wanted to make sure I wasn’t being too overzealous with the last two. And while I agree that the photos are pretty clear, I feel as though they should be more clear than they are (at least compared to the fancy shots I see on the big error/variety sites). It’s possible I just need eyepieces with better magnification? Any insight from the pros? @Kentucky @physics-fan3.14 @desertgem @GDJMSP
Are there any light or diffusing setting on the Stereoscope? I have never used one before so may not be able to help in that area. I am sure that you can raise the eye piece up and down for different focus and maybe a little more of the surface area. I think that the photos are well defined.
The images are very clear. If we are thinking the same, i think you are looking for better lighting. Try to see if taping certain areas of your light ring will help you with more focused lighting. Sometimes too much light is not the best. Think of a portrait...photographers use 1, 2, or 3 lights to get the right contrast and illumination to avoid a flat image. Applying some electrical tape (or light-blocking element) to block some LEDs may be what your are looking for.
I'm not really qualified to say yeah they are or no they're not. I agree the pics seem to be clear but at he same time I also know just how much slightly different angles, or different lighting, or both combined can change what we see in pics. In one pic it looks like, yeah maybe, while in another of same spot it looks like, aint no way. And one can take their own pics and compare them to pics in books and pics on websites and still not know anything for sure. The only way I know of to ever be sure is to send the coins to a specialist, somebody who is qualified, and let them examine the coins in hand since pics can simply be and often are too deceiving.
I wish there were such settings. That piece on the bottom moves back and forth to reflect light. I’ve tried raising and lowering the left eyepiece. Didn’t really notice a difference, but will try more with it soon. I just received this today and will try it tonight. Vankey Cellphone Telescope... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JW9KHZ2?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share I figured lighting might be the culprit, as it often is (thanks to @messydesk for teaching me the basics on coin photography). I’ll probably have to play with the LEDs. The light ring does have dimming abilities, and the bottom reflector can be pivoted. I guess I just need to mess with it more. Edit: Sind Sie deutschsprachig?? I thought so too, on each of them. The last series of photos show some possible die gouging. I’ll eventually turn to VV, just sorting keepers vs sellers for my silver halves. I’ll hold these few coins and sell of the others. I was hoping for expertise in terms of using the scope. It’s probably a lighting issue. Just wanted to hear if anyone had any particular advice.
Try tilting the coin a little bit. Use a white cloth over the half dollar to defuse some light. I think you may be using too much magnification also.
The stereoscopes that have a glass plate is used in science for looking through an object and the mirror below it will reflect and diffuse light back up into the objective lens and give you difficulty. You can find black sheets of paper at Michaels or similar stores and cut a small square or circular piece to cover the glass.A small beam of light you can produce from a small light to the side will then be able to enhance any depth situation such as a scratch or a doubling more readily. I have used a 99cent store tiny flashlight with a clamp holder to move and lock at an angle. Multiple lights around the room on different sides can make a surface look light different objects have different depths/angles. Also try using a cardboard box the covers 3 of the 4 sides and the top , leaving one side open for you look through the eyepieces, it will probably improve photographs. Light is an interesting thing. I really wish the forum would allow buying/selling of microscopes,light boxes, macro devices, etc., as they are almost an absolute necessity , IMHO. Jim