USB Microscopes and coin pictures.....Need some simple but good software..

Discussion in 'Coin Chat' started by Ethan, Jun 21, 2014.

  1. Ethan

    Ethan Collector of Kennedy's

    I recently bought one of these:

    [​IMG]



    I love the thing, the minute control, the base stand of metal, Decent construction. Not that I am griping or anything but the software is very basic.

    I had also bought one of these about a year ago:

    [​IMG]

    Its functionality for coins is limited. However the software was a bit better.


    Since these are standard devices and seem to be no more than a webcam to the PC, I was wondering if someone knows of some software that I can use that will access the camera, allow basic manipulation of the photo, minor measurements and markups etc.


    I have found some software that will do those things but it is pretty complicated and does not access the USB camera.


    Thanks....


    PS I really like this microscope here is a picture of what it can do and I am just learning it..
    [​IMG]
     
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  3. daveydempsey

    daveydempsey Well-Known Member

    I have a USB camera and use it quite a lot, after shots of coins have been made I use a photo editing program just like I would using a normal camera.
    My choice is Photoscape

    www.photoscape.org
     
  4. ldhair

    ldhair Clean Supporter

    I really like the stand. Very nice.
    Show us some more images.
     
  5. 19Lyds

    19Lyds Member of the United States of Confusion

    All my coin pictures are handled with either Microsoft Office Picture Manager or PhotoElements 7.0 or both.
     
  6. Ethan

    Ethan Collector of Kennedy's

    I will but it will have to wait a bit, spending time with son before he heads back to the Military.....proud of him. Enlisted, served almost two years and is now headed to the Academy....
     
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  7. Circus

    Circus Tokens Only !! TEC#4981

  8. mackwork

    mackwork Caretaker of old coins & currency

    Can you turn the LEDs off on the Andonstar?
     
  9. Ethan

    Ethan Collector of Kennedy's


    Yes it is adjustable and has a dial and a button for snapping the picture
     
  10. Ethan

    Ethan Collector of Kennedy's

  11. Ethan

    Ethan Collector of Kennedy's

    Ok here are a few pictures now that I have some time. I will start with some stitches and Velcro closeups.

    First some things, focus is easy on this scope. You can get close enough that you need the LED which is a good thing. It is adjustable as needed. There are actually two ways to focus and I found both useful.

    Stitches

    [​IMG]

    Velcro (needed two shots as the focus changed, which is what you would expect)

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]


    So far I am impressed and glad I purchased it. Now for why I actually bought it. COINS.

    Its takes them in BMP format which is good, these shots have been converted to jpeg. It is of a Kennedy Half. I did not take far shots as that is not why I have it.

    [​IMG]
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    [​IMG] [​IMG]
    [​IMG]


    All in all I like it, it gets close when needed and will suffice for my needs.
     
  12. armando0831

    armando0831 Active Member

    That's pretty sweet. Love the pics. So, it can't take images of a cent? I see these on EBay for around $60.
     
  13. phankins11

    phankins11 Well-Known Member

    Nice! I've been looking at what to buy, I think you just helped me make up my mind. That Andonstar is...well...it rhyms with dad bass
     
  14. xGAJx

    xGAJx Happy

    These are some really nice close-up pictures. Bravo!
     
  15. BigTee44

    BigTee44 Well-Known Member

    How much did the camera run you? did you buy it on ebay? Do you have a link?
     
  16. TIF

    TIF Always learning.

    I have the same scope and use Debut software, a free download.
     
  17. desertgem

    desertgem Senior Errer Collecktor Supporter

  18. coinzip

    coinzip Well-Known Member

    Will it work with windows 9?

    How about windows 10?

    Can you call the company on the phone and ask them a question?
     
  19. desertgem

    desertgem Senior Errer Collecktor Supporter

    Most of the camera software for windows 8 and beyond is written for onboard cameras and control rather than the traditional separate external usb webcam ( which is essentially what a usb microscope is). I use an astronomical (webcam) camera with windows 8 and a regular stereozoom triocular, but you have to twink windows 8 ( doesn't work in 8.2)each time you load it in. So I go to an independent digital camera if I have a lot of work to do. I have several computers still with winXp that seem to work with any of the older programs.

    The software is usually coded off shore and licenses for release sold to companies such as celestron where almost everything comes from China. Usually you don't get a real manual to the software and no help numbers. The software may have a manual on the CD. Your main source of info is the various user groups for digital microscope/telescope lines.

    Some programs are coded under contract and sold by the scope maker or independent. Some of these with frame registration and stacking may hit $500, and there you can get manuals and help if you have a registration. They spend money to make it work with the Win 8+ and Linux, Mac systems and then you pay for it .
     
  20. Ethan

    Ethan Collector of Kennedy's

    I will try the links as the software that comes with it is a bit lacking but works.
     
  21. Ethan

    Ethan Collector of Kennedy's

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