| Author |
 Topic  |
Dottir
Pillar Of The Community
Canada
864 Posts
|
Hi. I finally scanned my magnifying glass to show you all what I'm using. I placed a penny beside it for scale size. You can barely see the small circle extra magnification part just above the handle, but thats the little circle I try viewing my coins through. I can't see tiny details like closeups of MM or doubled letters etc and unfortunately scanning can see a lot but scanning makes for a lot of blurry-ness to images and its nigh impossible to zoom in for ultra closeups of MM's and details, so you don't get a clear close views. Maybe I'm just not good at scanning and its me not knowing how to properly zoom and scan? I dunno. Whatever the problem, I need a better magnifier to look at my coins.
A better magnifying tool would save me from scanning everything to see if there's any doubling etc because I can't see if something is worth scanning or not using my little handheld 
I'm thinking I need at least 15 strength glass? By the way, I have NO idea how strong this magnifying glass is. Maybe 5 or 10X? Not a clue.
 Edited by Dottir
02/17/2011 9:40 pm
|
|
|
|
Valued Member
United States
114 Posts |
I have 2 magnifying glasses one that goes 50x I think, and it has built in light But the one I use on a regular basis is a small 15x Magnifying glass and the lens is a little smaller than a silver dollar if I find anything interesting I use the 50x one.
|
|
Pillar Of The Community
Canada
864 Posts |
I even called around to a jeweler to find out if they had an extra one laying around in the workshop that they'll sell me. They had one with a light and offered it for almost $40 EEK I declined I just signed up with paypal and will look around online for one but I need nothing fancy with bells and whistles. Just basic strong magnification for my hobby purposes for now. A local business let me look through their loupe, a jewelers loupe, which worked but they didn't have a spare. I was excited to look through it and super clearly see a MM and inside of it plus clearly see the lettering and little things. They only run about $10 I think. |
|
Pillar Of The Community
United States
8363 Posts |
I recommend a jewelers' loupe for close up work, I use a 14x doublet that cost me $5 and it works well. John1  ( I'm no pro, it's just my humble opinion )
|
|
Pillar Of The Community
United States
790 Posts |
I second the loupe. I keep mine always at hand. I misplaced mine this week and pulled out my old magnifying glass and the difference was extraordinary. The loupe is SOOOOO much better and easier to use. I think I paid about $7 for mine.
|
|
Pillar Of The Community
Canada
864 Posts |
I've just been googling for any jewelry suppliers in BC. Found one place in Vancouver with loupes but they have a $20 minimum order, plus there's postage which they don't tell you how much. They had a loupe for about $5 similar to the one I used and that worked for me at that store and I guess they call them watchmakers loupes. Guess I'll look up watchmakers too and find out if we have any watchmakers shops in town. I did check out eBay and yes they have lots of different kinds in there. I've never used a loupe before except for the one at that store so I don't know what they're like to see through or to hold (twisted fingers and hands) as I can't test any out before springing for them I know I was able to "handle" that watchmakers type loupe and clearly see inside the MM though. This is like an adventure |
|
Pillar Of The Community
7718 Posts |
I had this shot on hand...from a prior discussion of magnifiers and loupes. I find that magnifiers are great for scanning groups of coins; I use my loupes for finding small details like overdates. My favorite is the Peak 8X (upper right). Made for viewing slides, it's easiest on my eyes. The small 10X jeweler's loupe works far better than that big Harris 10X I bought at a coin shop; good optics make a huge difference to ease eyestrain. You should find a quality jeweler's 10X loupe for around $20.  Edited by DVCollector
02/18/2011 12:47 pm
|
|
Pillar Of The Community
Canada
864 Posts |
What is that mediumsized black loupe, top right, beside the handle of the handheld?
|
|
Pillar Of The Community
Canada
864 Posts |
Meanwhile, I spotted this type in eBay, a 20x strength for %5 PLUS shipping almost $6 and paypal and eBay fees? and I wonder if I can manage to hold it though. I haven't had any like this design to see if I can actually hold and manipulate one to look at coins. Kinda frustrating to not be able to test anything out before buying. You know I really don't "get" that a town this size has no products like these in town. Go figure  http://cgi.ebay.com/Folding-Jeweler...em27b8501604 |
|
Pillar Of The Community
7718 Posts |
That's the "Peak 2018 8X slide loupe". I got it years ago for slide photography.
It's the easiest on my eyes. It's $30 in the US.
|
|
Pillar Of The Community
7718 Posts |
PS--I've never really needed more than 8X for studying die varieties.
I've found that the greater the magnification, the harder on my eyes.
|
|
Pillar Of The Community
Canada
864 Posts |
Thanka a lot for that. Out of my budget so will just move along to other possibilities You know, it just occurred to me that maybe someone in CCF actually sells magnifiers and loupes! I know I'd sure like to support a CCF-er and buy from someone in this community rather than some store or online stranger. Now I have a paypal account and actually have some money in my account at the moment I can buy something if the other has paypal too. Scooby, do you have paypal? |
|
Pillar Of The Community
Canada
864 Posts |
I think the loupe I tried at the store was a 10x ... but could have been stronger. I haven't tested out varying strengths. I think my magnifying glass is only a 5x and not good enough for honing in.
My current magnifying glass is good for some basic overall looks at coins but not for honing in for an ultra look at fine small stuff, so would still use my handheld. Just need ability to see the little stuff is all, hence wanting a loupe or something.
|
|
Pillar Of The Community
Canada
864 Posts |
By the way, I REALLY like the wide handle of the handheld in your photo. Like ergonomic. My narrow handle is hard for me to grasp and hold onto and it always swings and flips on me  A wide handle I could control more. |
|
Pillar Of The Community
Canada
864 Posts |
|
|
Pillar Of The Community
7718 Posts |
My magnifier is a "Ultra-Optix SV-31P". I think it's made for reading fine print.
It also has a smaller high-power lens, but it's not great on the eyes.
|
|
Topic |
|
Posted 02/17/2011 9:35 pm
