Microscope camera suggestions?

I’ve been taking a lot of pictures lately for my personal inventory and for coins I am listing for sale. The only issue is all I have is my iPhone.. it takes great pictures I can’t complain but I am a little bit! I noticed a lot of people that probably sell a little bit are using things like Dino-Lite to take high resolution scans, and probably some editing because a lot of coins almost look cartoonish.. Does anyone have any suggestions for a good beginner microscope camera? Nothing expensive because I’m just starting out and will upgrade to a higher name brand down the road, especially if this thing stays afloat for me. I found some decent ones on amazon but most of them start off at the 40Xs range and go up, I believe that would be a bit to close. The best rated one I found that’s affordable on is called the YINAMA 4.3 1080p. Any suggestions otherwise would be great! Thank you.

 

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I got this one on Amazon for 36 bucks. It works great for me and I am a photography beginner.

Plugable USB 2.0 Digital Microscope with Flexible Arm Observation Stand Compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux (2MP, 250x Magnification) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XNYXQHE/ref=cm_sw_r_em_apa_i_DJYAFbT7EDNB4

 

I have an (expensive) Dino-Lite microscope and to be honest I've seen photos taken and posted on this forum with $40 USB microscopes that look just as good if not better then the Dino-Lite. I only use the Dino-Lite when looking for varieties and use my macro setup for photos. The USB microscope that Penny provided the link for looks just fine for the money.

 

You need one with a ratched horizontal stand that is tall enough to image Morgans and the like. Most have stands that are too short and can barely image a cent in full. Over time and use the flexible stands become floppy and you really want a stable platform for accuracy.Also 5 mpixels is the minimum if you don't want too much pixelation when you zoom closer.

 

I agree. I am going to clamp mine to a tripod for stability, and also to control the focus for all the coin sizes. It is very lightweight.

 

Had one for years and it works really good for my purposes. Examples


I think these demonstrate possibilities with the little thing.

 

Here is a photo of my setup. The Morgan is shown on my desktop monitor and actual coin is on the microscope platform below. This is a $40 setup. Look up some previous threads on microscopes and you will get a lot of good information.

 

Is your only light source on the camera, or is that a light on the right?

 

The only light is that on the camera. On the right is the stand that came with the camera. It is too short to be useful on larger coins. The one the camera is mounted on is a taller stand that I had from an earlier camera that quit working.

 

This is a MUSTCAM with 10X to 300X and 5 MP. For coins you should not have more than 300X unless you are doing some sort of professional work. The stand that comes with this is too short and is not a ratchet. Also, I won't use a flexible goose neck thing as they are too hard to get in focus and move easily. Good Luck.

 

Based on recommendations on CT I bought the Plugable USB 2.0 Digital Microscope with Flexible Arm Observation Stand Compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux (2MP, 250x Magnification), mentioned above by Penny Luster. It was $39.95 from Amazon, with free shipping. Besides the recommendations, I checked the customer ratings and the Q&As on Amazon. What impressed me about the Q&As was that on many, many of them, the manufacturer's rep responded - that convinced me!

I did find the flexible arm too short and a bit awkward for coins larger than a Nickel, especially to keep parallel to the base. You'll definitely want to get an inexpensive bubble level to set on top to check (got one thru Home Depot for $2.36). For about $5 I made a nice, adjustable stand from parts I got at HD.

I have been very pleased with the results. I have a couple of postings with coin pics. I can send or post more details and pics of the apparatus, if you want.

 

I just bought this same microscope and it can not even be adjusted (on the set up that it comes with) to take a photo of a whole nickel. I purchased an extension piece of threaded "pipe" to be able to get full pictures.

 

That’s surprising you’d think Dino-lite would be noticeably top tier!

 

I have been putting mine on top of stacked coin albums books and stuff to get the distance right. It is a real pain. I am going to try to attach it to a tripod.

 

Sounds like the scope for me since so many people recommend it! Was your set up at home difficult to do?

 

You can get Rack & Pinion stands that will go to the height needed for larger coins. But, it seems that the stand alone costs more than the scope. The stand I use which is very solid and is right for larger coins is onw that I had from an earlier scope.

 

What microscope are you using?

 

Airborne - Not with what I had - I will do a write-up & pics on it in the next day or two.

 

This is a MUSTCAM with 10X to 300X and 5 MP. For coins you should not have more than 300X unless you are doing some sort of professional work. The stand that comes with this is too short and is not a ratchet. Also, I won't use a flexible goose neck thing as they are too hard to get in focus and move easily. Good Luck.
Also see #7 post above.