Someone I know recommended using a Nikon microscope for viewing closeups of rare coins but when I look online there are so many different ones. Does anyone know which one is the best one to use that is the best quality?
I would opt for a trinocular with zoom capability such as this model...... http://www.amscope.com/microscopes/...orescent-ring-light-and-18mp-usb3-camera.html Chirs
Why limit yourself to Nikon, or Leica or Zeiss for that matter? Perhaps it's the fanboy nonsense in photography that makes me question such recommendations, but if you've no real reason to go with a specific brand, why not approach this with a more open mind?
1. You don't need a microscope that will magnify to 200x. Not even 100x. Something adjustable within the range of 10x-60x. 2. Decide what your budget will allow. 3. Trinocular is good if you want pictures (but then you have to consider a camera also). 4. Set your criteria and then do your search.
I would highly recommend a Bausch & Lomb Stereo or StereoZoom. Low cost, high quality, very available on eBay. Let me know if you need a recommendation of particular one to buy.
Dollar for Dollar, these are the best scope for examining for very fine detail ( IMO). they will last for a long time ( mine are close to 40 yrs old). If stored in human type conditions for temp, etc. they do not grease up or the gears don't break apart ( real metal, not pot metal or all plastic. Technicians can repair or lubricate the scope every 10-15 years and all will be well. Standard type of eyepieces so you can interchange different magnification ranges, and substage lenses to go below the normal lower level, for Silver dollar or larger size. I also really like the Nikon SMZ series, the Mercedes to B&L Camry. It is not like an USB electronic microscope which will zoom forever , but does so by faking the data by extrapolation, so you can see things that are not really there. IMO Jim
For the purpose of viewing the closeup areas of coins, would not a inexpensive digital USB. microscope with a good stand and software to zoom and create good jpg files, be enough????
Is there a good Nikon microscope regardless of the price you could recommend? I tried to find a used one on Ebay but there are different kinds and I am not sure which one would be the best one to get. A coin dealer I know uses one that probably costs over a thousand dollars but he got it used for only $200.
The standard StereZoom-4 with 10x eyepieces zooms from 7x to 30x. 7x is low enough that you can view an entire Lincoln Cent, while 30x is high enough that you can zoom in to the date and mintmark area. You can add auxiliary objective that changes the range to 14x-60x, or change the eyepieces to 15x for 22x to 45x mag range. Here are some examples from eBay: This one looks a bit beat up but probably works OK: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bausch-and...267418?hash=item5d7aec561a:g:4~QAAOSwCMtahx68 This one is more expensive but looks a little nicer: https://www.ebay.com/itm/BAUSCH-LOM...427650&hash=item1a44234d0c:g:pXoAAOSwmVBagg1J And here is a very nice one with a carrying case: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bausch-Lom...784228?hash=item1a425174a4:g:x3YAAOSws5Babi1s Let us know if you buy one and how it works out.
No, look in the various threads and see greatly enlarged details, of something very minute. There is not enough true pixels in the cam video chip to do that so the software has to fill in the missing pixels by looking at the ones in that area and filling in fake details. When some one is using one for variety checking, it can mistakenly double a structure when the software determines that is the closest match. If I saw a complete Nikon triocular for $200, I would bid on it as it was as many spare parts available also. The older ones don't have the 'new tech' which usually is not needed .A quick glance on ebay showed this on. I would resell the camera separately, but in a shop it would be nice to show a coin's details to a buyer. I know nothing about the dealer rather than what is here, but ebay is kind to buyers. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Nikon-SMZ-...098657&hash=item1a42bb1ae6:g:rEwAAOSwInxXNXPc A 10X loupe is all needed if the person using it is experienced and knowledgeable. No amount of magnification greater is needed, just knowledge, the thing ebay doesn't offer for sell Jim
