Anyone here try or own this magnifier? Just wondering how good it is. http://www.microscopes.com/ms-zv-lm-02004.html
I bought the D24 which is large diameter and 6X. Love it . No visual gymnastics and lets me view an entire small cent and really helps on dollar size coins. Its thinner as well and doesn't cast a shadow on the coin letting more light in than my cheaper thicker loupes. The optic you are looking at is the next step up and looks like a good price to me for what you get. I know it seems like a ton of money for a loupe but seeing the coins well is the point to this hobby, right. The next best thing for me is to take a macro photo of a coin and view it on my computer screen 12in tall. But thats hard to do at a shop or show.
Haven't purchased any Zeiss magnifiers but have several camera lenses of theirs. Acutually can use a camera lens for a magnifier but a little on the bulky side. Zeiss is rather famous for the perfection in their glass for any product and it is difficult to out do them in quality. Unfortunately thier prices are also on the higher side.
Thad, I've seen them used by a few but the difference between this and the Baush, Lombe hastings triplet 10x, 14x and 20x is so small it does not warrent the costs which is a little more than doubled retail for them. This is what I've been told anyway. Already addicted to my BL's I think that is true and they are so good no real reason to change. If starting out it may be worth it and certainly a great choice. There is one other that is as or more expensive from Germany, I don't remember the exact name but they make cameras, Lyca or Lycan something like that but thoses two spelling are not correct that's for sure. I have a swing out black plastic baush and lombe that has wide glass, plus the highher grade swingouts, 10x, 14x and 20x. With these I've never felt like there is anything missing or that I could not see under right light, tilt. These three are surely the top in the world as I believe all will repair of replace any and all for life no questions asked.
Zeiss makes good stuff, but for that kind of money, you could get a stereo microscope and see your coins in 3-D. A used variable power 'scope from eBay would be nice. For on-the-go, I use the Bausch&Lomb 5X packette which costs about $8 and works great and has a large lens. My stereo microscope in 2-90X with 5 megapixel USB camera is the cat's meow. LOL I have a Zeiss riflescope coming for my '.06 tomorrow. Can't wait!
The older I get, the worse my eyes get. Those loupes are so small that I can barely see through them. I need something like a magnified skin diver's mask.
I can tell you their Computer Network is first class! : ) The lenses they make are certainly in the top of the class. Did you know they also make eye glass lenses? I can see clearly now.........
The reason I'm asking is that I really, really like 3x for an overall look at a coin. Then I like the ability to move to 6x or even 9x when needed. I already have a couple other magnifiers/loupes, but this one looks like it'd be nice for the mags I prefer. Thanks everyone!
I currently use http://www.whitmanbooks.com/Default.aspx?Page=81&ProductID=079482031X a little small and can cause eye strain. But that may be due to me wearing contacts and drying out my eyes... I would love to get a digital microscope however I can't find one that runs with Windows 7.
Some may know here, others may not, but they also make Binoculars and rifle scopes. They're pretty much top of the line along with Leicca and Swarovski. Their scopes and binoculars run in the 1500-2000+ range. High end glass is noticeably better but not cheap. I would consider purchasing this loupe though, I'm pretty happy with my Belomo Triplet.