Stereoscope Selection Advice Requested. Thanks.

Thanks again for your guidance SuperDave.

Yes, that macro lens is pricy!

My Nikon lens lineup consists of:

• Nikon DX 35mm prime, f/1.8, 52mm front lens thread


• Nikon 85mm prime, f/1.8, 62mm front lens thread, with aperture ring


• Nikon DX Telephoto Kit lens, 18-105mm, f/3.5-5.6, 67mm front lens thread

So for the "Reversing Lens" method, both of my prime lenses fall outside of the 50-75mm you mentioned. My D90 has a 1.5 crop factor for the sensor.... not sure if that comes into play here. Maybe the 85mm is still a good candidate? The 85mm is a really nice lens and has the benefit having a manually adjustable aperture ring where the other two strictly DX lenses do not. So in addition to the already required Nikon (or equiv) BR-2A Reversing Ring (~$40), I would also need to get a Nikon (or equiv) BR-5 62mm-52mm adapter ring (~$29) to make it work.

A Set of 3 extension tubes (man there are a million brands out there) would be in the sme price range as the two reversing components mentioned above (some more and some less $$). Maybe the extension tubes route is the better way to go given I can mixup the different combinations of extension tubes and use them for all of my lenses?

I am curious which of the two methods above (reversing lens vs. extension tubes) provides a sharper image? or will they provide the same result and it would really come down to convenience of setting it up? Price wise they are both very inexpensive solutions like you said.

Ok, sounds like the stereoscope is a no brainer for the detail viewing and imagery. So when you mentioned a couple posts ago:




You are referring to the 3.5x-45x as the ideal choice, right? And the 3.5x-90x will not be of any benefit, correct? The 45x to 90x zoom range of the later in these scopes is really too close to have any practical use when looking for small coin error/variety details? Sorry, beat this dead horse, I just want to make sure getting the 3.5x-90x for $30 more is a waste of money or is it worth the small increased investment given my intended use. I haven't looked into one of these scopes to have a frame of reference unfortunately.

Thanks again guys for helping me spend my money.

Thanks Ray.

I am searching ebay right now and have about a million hits to plough through! Do you think I should go with Nikon tubes (if Nikon makes them)? or run with some 3rd party tubes. If I don't go with the electrical contact tubes.... there's not much else that can go wrong I guess.... just quality material and secure fit is all that's left to be concerned about I suppose. I think I will check some reviews to see what brand is reputable. I am ok spending a little more for a better quality set if necessary. I see most sets come with three tubes (12mm, 20mm, and 36mm).

Thanks again!

Yup, it's that simple.

Hi Ray,

I took a look at the following 7x-45x AmScope stereoscope:

AmScope SM-1T (7x-45x) http://www.amscope.com/sm-1t.html

And found that a Barlow isn't included in the packing list... which supports your thoughts on the zoom range..... but, the scope description indicates it has a 4" working distance... hmm.. tricky....

Actually, if the 7x-45x with no barlow equates to a 4" working distance,

then maybe you get 3.5x-22.5x with the 0.5x barlow (like you said) and a best case 8" working distance.

and then you get 14x-90x with the 2x barlow (like you said) and a best case 2" working distance.

You are right, it is a little misleading the way they list the working distance.... I think they list the best case working distance given the barlows (or lack thereof) included.

Just thinking here..... thanks for your input!

Thanks everyone for your help!

I have the following on the way:

AmScope SM-1TX (3.5x-45x) http://www.amscope.com/sm-1tx.html Except I found it on ebay new for $325

And the associated Nikon Adapter for $88 from the same source on ebay.

I am also watching a set of extension tubes hoping to bid on those later this weekend.

Thanks again for the help.

Hi Dar,
The AmScope trinocular stereoscope I purchased was a great buy. Everything needed came with it for viewing nice crisp views of my coins. Neatly, individually and securely packaged. Simple assembly and you are ready for many late nights of observation. Great quality product.

If you are planning to use your DSLR with it, you'll need the appropriate adapter for your camera depending its brand. AmScope can provide those too. I followed the advice of many fine and extremely knowledgable folks on this forum and purchased a set of Jansjo lights ($10 at IKEA) for more than enough and easily adjustable lighting. Getting the lighting right for photos is tricky and takes some experimenting.

Anyway, extremely happy with the my AmScope.

Hope this helps and best of luck!

Good luck Dar.

I found mine brand new on ebay for $100 less than directly from AmScope. It was from a user name called precision*world. He shipped it super fast too.

Have a great day!

EDIT:

I don't know if this is Bad Form but I am going to start a new thread to ask some questions as I do not want to steal/Necro the OP's here.

Thank you.

Dar