Does anyone have any 'current' advice on stereo microscopes or video microscopy systems? Any recommendations for 'fatigue free' detailed coin viewing and documenting? What is a good magnification for looking for subtle double die errors? Any 'new' input on the DigitalBlue QX5 viewing system? Worth the money? I'm 'buying the book before the coin' here....I have a lot of coins to check for varieties, etc. and using a loupe or magnifier is too strenuous on my eyes. I know technology is changing all the time. Is there a 'latest and greatest' method for viewing coins in the hobby? Any input would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks, -Jeff
If you want to have less strain on the eyes you need to use a larger viewing area - not a smaller one like you have with a microscope. Get yourself a plain old magnifying glass - 4x if you can find it. They are inexpensive, less than $10 and easily found at drug stores and grocery stores. Get one that is approx 3 inches across - you'll be amazed at how much easier it is on the eyes. Then if you see something that deserves a closer look - then you can use the stronger loupe. But 99% of the time - that big magnifying glass will be all you need to see any variety details. Now that is perghaps the fastest and easiest method to study coins. But an even better way, although it requires more effort, is to study pics of the coins. Take high quality digital pictures or scans of the entire coin then study them on your computer screen. This enlarges the coin and all its detail 10, 15 even 20 times normal size. Nothing could be easier to look at. Microscopes can serve a purpose - but they only allow you to focus on a very small portion of the coins surface. And to really see what is there - you need to look at the big picture - not foucs on the minutae.
Thanks GDJMSP, I like the camera idea. I want to be able to look at a large pic on the computer screen as long as the resolution is good. Video microscopy, with a 'live' view and a moveable stage seems like it would be the best for speed. I'll have to do some research as I'd think that type of outfit is expensive. I guess it could be a long term investment.... Thanks again, -Jeff
Could a camera mounted on a trinocular port give a 'live' image to a computer or TV screen? I would think that a 'scope with a low magnification range, like 7x-35x would give a fairly large field of view at the lowest setting, and good detail at a higher setting. I don't have a camera, so maybe that's where I should start and go from there? Does a camera have any optical magnification when using a macro setting? I don't know too much about any of this stuff....I do know that cameras without optical magnification tend to have poorer picture resolution when the image is digitally enlarged. I used to have a camera with 3x optical zoom, but I never tried it with a coin. What do you all use?
I use the Nikon 5400 - it has a 16x zoom that can be used with or without the macro function. Here is an example of what just what 3x can do -
Now bear in mind that with that pic the resolution has been reduced to approx 85kb for on-line use. It can easily be increased to 10 times that for much greater detail.
That looks real nice! Is that 16x zoom optical? Is it a 35mm digital camera? Whatever it is, I think it would meet my needs. Any idea what the current price is? I don't think I need more than 2-3 megapixels for the amount of enlarging I would do. Can you point the camera at a coin and see a 'live' pic on a monitor or TV screen? That would help me out a lot.
Optical zoom is 4x - digital zoom is 4x that. It is 35mm and 5.1 megapixel. Honestly don't know if it can do live shots on a computer or not - but it does live shots on its own screen. That's always been good enough for me. It also shoots mpegs which is epsecially useful for capturing luster or toning as you tilt a coin in the light.
Okay, thanks again! I know that video cams put a signal out to the TV screen that is live. I'll do some research into them as well. Electronics seem to be pretty reasonably priced these days. I remember when Atari computers/game machines cost over $500, and that's when money was worth something! lol
GD-your camera was helped out by the beauty of that coin!! j/k Just a random thought, but that design is incredibly "busy"! With the number of people complaining about the busyness of the Florida quarter design, I wonder what those same people would say about your coin. It is busy, but that is part of its beauty. silvrluvr-I have a Kodak CX7430 and it has an output for connecting it to a TV, so mine does. I would assume that many do likewise.
Hi Cave Troll, does the TV display what the camera's looking at 'live' and change as the camera or subject moves? (Like the camera's own display does?)
yes ok, short rant here. [rant] I tried to reply to this post with only the word "yes" in my post and I got a "your post is too short" message, try again. IMNSHO, that is silly. [/rant]
I use a flatbed scanner & can scan multiple coins at high resolution which I can enlarge with Photoshop.Cheaper($35) than a digital camera but not as versitile.If you have alot of coins consider getting a desktop lighted circular magnifying lamp it might be quicker.Bob
