Do you guys use a digital microscope to take all your close up pictures. I have been reading a lot lately seen that a lot of people who take close up pictures use a microscope to do it. I would like to hear everyones ideas and points of view. Thanks
Yes I agree. The only fallback on digital mics. is that you can't see the whole coin and zoom in on the area that you want. Also sharpness or focus may be a problem because of the low megapixel feature. I tried one and really didn't give it a chance to show it's capabilities. I returned it saying to myself that my scanner can do that. NOT!
Haven't tried this - but sounds interesting... http://www.instructables.com/id/Build-a-USB-Digital-Microscope-in-60min-and-15/
Here's something that I posted on another web forum. I use a conventional stereo microscope, then position my 10 megapixel camera lens over the microscope's eyepiece... -------- Friendly FYI A few folks have been talking about digital camera scopes for photographing close-ups of their coin specimens. About 8 months ago I purchased a stereo microscope for $59.95 off of ebay. Though it is a standard microscope and not digital, I can still use it to photograph close-up shots. I simply focus the coin specimen underneath the microscope and then place the camera's lense overtop the left eyepiece of the stereo scope. I slightly readjust the focus the scope in real-time while looking at the camera's display, and then execute the shot. I thought I'd mention this as an alternative to purchasing a digital scope. I get the utility of a standard stereo microscope and at the same time, can conveniently take shots using my camera as necessary. Below please find a photo of the microscope, as well as a few close-up shots using the technique that I described above.
No. But at this time I haven't had need for getting that much of a closeup. For the time being my digital SLR is sufficient. When comparing need vs. cost the answer still comes up "not at this time".
I use the Dino-Lite shown on that link to take pictures of errors, cracks, varieties etc... But for a closeup of a entire coin, I just use my camera.
I also use this method with a B & L binocular stereo zoom obtained 30 years ago at a lab sale, and let me add some enhancements to look for when buying such a scope. If you take care of it, you will probably never need to replace it for your needs. If the gears are metal, hey will outlast you. In less expensive scopes the gears are plastic or nylon and require more care. The B&L and others are designed for labs, and can take a little abuse. Buy a scope that uses standard 23mm eyepieces, so you can buy others that will fit. 1. You can buy a stereo zoom scope such as .7-3.0X, which with 10X eyepieces (standard) will give you a magnification of 7x-30x. But this will not give you a whole half dollar through a digital camera lens, but if you buy at least one 5X eyeoiece to shoot through , you now have a 3.5X -15X magnification. There are other eyepieces available. 2. On this scope one eyepiece is diopter variable +/- so you can set up the lens so if one eye is near sighted or farsighted, you can adjust to use the scope without your glasses. Doesn't help astigmatism. Jim
I see no need for a microscope when I can do this with a camera and a macro lens. The camera equipment costs enough without the additional cost of a microscope.
"I use the Dino-Lite shown on that link to take pictures of errors, cracks, varieties etc..." I too use a dino scope ....now you can't buy the low end you have to buy the better model and you should go al the way to the top model to get what you really wantas far as pictures. If Lehigh would give up his secerets as to what he uses then like his post you would not need a scope . The dino is nice but again make sure you go towards top end ...as you won't be happy with the basic model.
Same thing I was going to say. Beat me to that one. As to purchasing a microscope or anything if just for coins, stop and ask yourself how often you'll use that. There are people that run out and purchase all sorts of items for a hobby and they end up on a shelf somewhere. One neighbor of mine USED to like building and flying model planes. His garage is still full of all kinds of wood and wood tools. He hasn't touched any of that stuff in many years and probably never will again. Just lost interest. Not that you'll loose interest in coin collecting but if you even suspect that microscopes and/or other items will not get much use, spend the money on coins instead. For the amount of times some use anything such as microscopes, delicate scales, special lighting setups, etc. it may be usefull. But for the average individual, just not worth the cost.
Just_Carl -> I paid $60 bucks for my microscope... it's not like that's a ton of money... that's one decent coin purchase. I use mine frequently when grading new acquisitions. And too, it's saved me money by allowing me to examine coins prior to committing to buying inferior or overpriced ones. Mine's portable. IMO, that's justification alone for spending the 60 bucks.
I have found that numismatic photography is almost as rewarding of a hobby as coin collecting itself. I imagine collectors who are interested in using microscopes to photograph coins share my opinion.
ok, this has turned into a "use a microscope, not use a microsope" forum intead of what is a good microscope to use. I appreciate all the info but for those of you who use them, which ones do you use and what are good ones for the beginner like me. thanks
Well I really like my digital blue and yes I do use it, but primarily when searching my change. The 5x and 10x loupe just aren't enough at times - plus with a stack of pennies, I can slide them under, look at 'em, slide em out in seconds. On a rare occasion do I actually snap shot a piece of the coin. I do not use it like a camera - if you want a scope like that, then this one will not work, you would need something fancier. Yes - I can put slabs under it also. I mainly use it to save eye strain.
Of course that is really true. And as an example of how such photography is used is the www.coppercoins.com web site. That person, Chuck, on that web site has taken many, many thousands of photos of just Lincoln Cents. Many are in his two books and on his web site. Other web sites also contain thousands of coin photos and someone had to do that. And as noted here, some people enjoy just photoing a coin. Contrary to that, possibly most coin collectors never take a photo of a coin at all. There are similar situations in every hobby. One person I know always has an album of photographs in his truck and only photos of his guns. Someone else I know has photos of a wall in his house full of Archery equipment. Many others don't even have family photos. To each thier own.
