Hi i am fairly new at this and I look at my coins with a loop, I would like to know what type of microscpe would be good for looking at coins.
Are you looking for a visual microscope, or an electronic one to view the image on a computer monitor?
I was thinking visual I did not know there is an electronic one for viewing on monitor interested in both now.
If you want cheap and poor definition, USB is the one. If you can find a lab binocular scope with glass lens, that you can attach a camera to , that is much better in the long run. IMO. I have and have used both kinds, but still IMO. Jim p.s If you want to see and photograph the inside of your mouth or nose, etc. USB is better at that
That's interesting. At first glance it looks like a "Rube Goldberg". The video helps, time to perfect my pie are squared and cake is round skills.
if you have a limited budget and and want to view coins on your monitor, check out USB microscopes, Dinolite is ok as well as Lighthouse, google either of them... /www.wizardcoinsupply.com/lighthouse-high-performance-digital-microscope
something like this works great: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bausch-Lom...960298?hash=item25ef8fac2a:g:SmwAAOSwd8JanwFo With practice, you can take good pics with your phone or camera through an eyepiece.
I think the first question for you to answer is why do you want a microscope? But you may have already answered that for yourself. And if so then that should narrow the type of microscope you need.
No need to go further than Lincoln Maniacs choice. An old B&L is EXACTLY what you want. But if you want pictures from your view then the merry-go-round continues. You also need a good intense light source with B&M. Just a good desk lamp that can focus about half a foot of the coin. That is a GREAT PRICE on that link!!! John Lorenzo Numismatist United States
That is a transmitted light microscope for thinly sliced tissue. Coin would have to be transparent. Or you would have to still find room to arrange an external light source from the top to reflect light from the surfaces.
If thinking about spending in that general range, the bellows setup some here use may be an ideal option for you, or may at least be worth looking into. I assume you're familiar, but.... http://www.macrocoins.com/
Trust me; to this I can certainly relate. If memory serves me, I believe DesertGem has shared photos taken with an APS-C sensor Samsung using extension tubes, but I forget if he used them for more detailed work or simple closeups. The greater point is that even with wishing to stick to a budget, there are a number of inexpensive camera options that will allow for significantly greater resolution for very little money. One can sometimes find older APS-C DSLRs in the 10-12mp range for under $100, and even some of the M43 (Micro Four Thirds) camera can be had used for in the same range, also 12mp (some 16mp iirc). Lens options are vast, but one doesn't necessarily need to cough up for a one of the very costly macros often suggested here. Some older manual focus macros can be had for very little, but other options such as extension tubes or lens reversal can achieve the same or greater magnification for a pittance. Just to be clear, I know imaging coins is important to you so the above is only intended as friendly suggestions that may be worth exploring before making a final decision. There are all sorts of websites, forum posts, etc dedicated to what could be described as lens hacking, with many showing rather impressive macro work. The best of luck with whatever you choose.
The auto extension tubes cost a total of $40 and work quite well using the removable lens that came with the camera. I also have used an old 4X microscope objective in a m-42 adapter with them also. Vary flat field, seems better for 'flat things' like coins. The extension tubes/normal camera lens works better for gemstones. Often I just hold the camera to one of the eyepieces and use a remote shutter release to reduce vibrations. Also read about stacking ( less expensive/ some free software found on astronomical sites) now used extensively in macro photography. Jim
Based on the OP, I concluded that viewing was the main goal, while photographing was secondary. The B&L scope can do well for viewing, and the occasional photographing using your phone or a cheap camera. If photographing is more important, then I usually recommend a system as follows: Canon Rebel XS camera M42 adapters, extensions, helicoids, etc Nikon 75mm lens (if not wanting to go beyond 2:1) Nikon 50mm lens (if wanting to go up to 4:1) Cheap tripod or homemade copy stand The above system would cost you ~$250. Note that the Canon camera and free software that comes with it allows you to view the image on-screen, and zoom-in for looking at details and for fine focusing, sort of like a USB microscope but with better image quality. If you want to do very high quality closeups, you can substitute a microscope objective for the lenses above, for about the same price. Problem with this is that focus stacking is usually required to get best results. Better optics means less depth of field, so focus stacking is needed to get everything in clear focus. Lower quality optics means more depth of field, so single images can work, but are of course not as sharp or clear.
wow I'm amazed at all the responses I got with this question. Everyone is so knowledgeable I feel like I'm in over my head. I think with a little bit of patience there's a lot to be learned here! Thank you all for taking the time to answer. One more question how, and on what forum can I post photos?
