Macro Lens And Microscope Options

John1,

Thank you. I will try your method of turning off the lights on the scope altogether and using an external light instead. I tried that in the past. It is so hard with the shiny cents to get it just right.

When you say 12k, is the k referring to a brightness level or lumens?

For the full pics, I think I need to get the tripod out and use that for my HD camcorder pics to remove any shake for now, like how you use a point and shoot camera, until I see more info on the macro lenses for phones. I tried the zoom on the camcorder which is optical so that is better than digital zoom, but I think is more geared toward the video.

Also, I am going to try outdoor pics to see if that makes a difference too.

Thanks again! Very helpful!

Do you use anything in particular? Maybe I should get a real filter other than paper towels?

I also ordered the selfie ring for the phone. Was thinking I might dissasemble and put it on my HD Camcorder lens somehow.

I need to read up on lighting in that one thread, try making the DIY grocery bag/hanger filter, and try the milk jug idea too.

Edit: Found a selfie ring for $5.56!

Edit 2: How in the world did you put a filter on the tiny LED deep under the inside of the microscope? I was barely able to put tiny pieces of electrical tape onto 3 of mine.

Do I need to take out the screws and put the tape directly over the bulbs? Maybe this is why it did not have as big of an impact as what I was expecting, because the light was still escaping under the frosty round part.

Thanks John1. You are being a tremendous help!

I am looking forward to removing the frosty ring on the scope. Will see how that whole taping off works, then if not, will try putting scotch tape over a flashlight and using that as the sole light source for the scope.

Luckily, I have a flashlight with a magnet on it along with a metal lamp shade on a work light I was using originally all this time so hopefully it will stick to it right over the work area. If not, I have lots of heavy duty clamps and 1x2s, etc.

Practice indeed!

I spent some time practicing on the 1982 Large Date because it was poking me in the eye as a possible DDO. Wondering tho if now the pics are too dark, ha ha...

http://goccf.com/t/430800

I tried to remove the inner frosty ring. I got the tiny screws out but since the outer clear plastic ring is concave a bit, the inner frosty ring would not come out. :(

I ended up using that metal work light w/ a layer of paper towel, a layer of printer paper, and a double layer of gray plastic grocery bag.

Then I turned the LEDs on the scope nearly completely off, and moved the scope around under the light. What worked best was when the light was "behind" the scope and then a small "ramp" was used at various corners to make the glare go away.

Edit: I was pretty happy with how the new lighting setup improved the pics on the HD Camcorder, but think they might be a tad too dark. Maybe remove the printer paper for that. But the 4 layers are needed for the scope for sure.

CentSeeker,
Make sure to click on rmpsrpms link in his signature line.That cellphone set up is the bomb
John1

Hi rmpsrpms,

Thanks for going the extra mile, and Wow!

Changing the levels to fix the darkness and shadows gives a better picture of the true size of the devices! That is pretty cool. I am going to have to try making the adjustments myself moving forward. I have an old version of Photoshop from 2010 I think too, but not sure if it will work on this new Windows 10.

I am anxious to see your review of the macro lens! Can't wait! I was reading that it has multiple lenses or something compared to the cheaper ones that use a single lens, so I wonder if that is why it is better.

Again, thank you so much!

Edit: This sounds pretty cool:

Hi rmpsrpms,

That was very kind of you to share your professional review, thank you so much. It turned out great!

I see you have a very cool stand for coin pics with the phone. I imagine you have some engineering skills to boot. The lights look easy to use as well.

I hope to get back to coin pics soon.

Thank you for your help and sharing your review with us!