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 Replies: 18 / Views: 7,327 |
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Valued Member
United States
147 Posts |
I looking for ideas on whats the best (in the cheaper range) usb microscope/camera
to take pictures of my coins in the future to catalog them and such.
any feedback would be amazing and thanks in advance fellow members.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1511 Posts |
Here's the one I bought that was recomended to myself by other members here. It perform's amazingly for the money, I couldn't be happier. To get further shots to focus you just have to put it on a stand, some stacked CD's.. Etc.. But the zoom and quality are amazing, definitely can compete with much more expensive cam's. For $26 and change you can't go wrong with this one, I love mine. And also... You can get the same cam for less... But this is the cheapest price from a US seller... I don't like ordering from China/Hong Kong, not a fan at all. So I'd assume to pay $5 more and get it (faster) from a US seller... But that's just me.. (Here's there actual store.. Same price as on ebay, but I don't know if shipping's free) http://mambate.store.rakuten.com/pg...465230e.html(Here's the ebay link to the one I bought) http://www.ebay.com/itm/200X-Camera...em4845388848 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1054 Posts |
I know you're looking for cheap, but really the only unit I can recommend is the Dino-lite. They start in the $100 range, but they are the best in the market as far as a USB microscope goes.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1511 Posts |
First and foremost, don't take me wrong, I mean no disrespect at all and to each his own, we all have our own opinions and this is solely mine.. Without opinions life would be pretty boring.. Lol. I'm sure the Dino-lite is great in every way... but I'd have to say its directly comparable to the less ecpensive, $26 Mambate. It's literally identical, with a different name sticker on it and 4x the price..? I dont really think the quality of the lense or other parts could be that much better. Same design, same operation, same controls (shoot, zoom, lights etc) I don't think the picture quality could be better to the point of where I'd pay an additional $75.. Maybe the program is better, as I've not used one, but I'd have to assume it isn't $75 better. The mambate has received excellant reviews from many members here, I think it's a better buy than the Dino.. But that's just me, again, everyone has their own opinion. Here's a link to a topic on this camera (the mambate) that a member here bought and posted a "journel" of the results. With examples of photos, set up, stands, etc. it's long, but worth the read if you want a great, cheap camera. https://goccf.com/t/88598Edited by NathanASE
03/27/2013 9:00 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
8515 Posts |
Nathan...can you post some pics that you've taken with the Mambate ?
Oregon coin geek.....*** GO BEAVS ! ! ! ***
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1511 Posts |
Sure, here's a bunch. I haven't had mine for too long at all, so take into account that I have no special lighting whatsoever set up.. I really need to do something about my lighting... To get a much better example of photos I'd suggest checking the link to the topic I posted the link to in my above post. The OP of that thread has the same Mambate and a very very nice setup for it he made and a few light set ups... & His photos are FAR better than my own... Lol. But here's a few I've taken so far.. If you'd rather see more close ups or further away pics, toning shots etc let me know and I'll post more, but again, I'd really check out that other thread for much better pics and info on this Mambate USB cam.. It's like 5 pages devoted to it. 1853/4 Seated Liberty quarter kinda close up of date and close up of arrow and 3/4.    Close up of obverse & reverse shields and date on my 1843 dollar..    1911 $5 Indian a few different pics... (Last pic is true color)     |
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Valued Member
United States
359 Posts |
Nathan, I'm impressed by the clarity on those zoomed images! I was considering putting together a special light box to use my DSLR for coin pictures, but if you can get that quality with a $26 USB microscope I'm second guessing my decision. I'd probably come in cheaper just getting the Mambate...
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Pillar of the Community
United States
950 Posts |
I totes just bought one of these.
I'm excited to try it out!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1511 Posts |
Ya for $26 it really takes amazing pics! You guys should check out the topic I posted the link too if you want to see what this cam can really do, with proper lighting and a nice stand set up, the OP really does an amazing job with his! Although I've only had it a few months with no special lights I'd say it suits me just fine and truly takes amazing pics..
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Valued Member
United States
359 Posts |
If I can stop spending cash on coins for a little while, I'd like to try out of these babies. Question: I notice that there's a "trigger" button on the microscope itself to take a picture. Is there a way to trigger the snapshot via software, or do you have to physically push the button? I'd be concerned about jiggling the camera/stand when I pushed the button.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1511 Posts |
Yup, it does have a "trigger" button on the cam, but yes, you can also use your mouse and click a button on your computer screen.. which is what I've done the majority of the time. I was also always always worried it would move/jiggle the shot while I press the button on the cam itself, But I tried the other day and it actually still takes good shots and doesn't really move it too much (the further away the shot the better though). You can also take the camera off the stand and just hold it and take shots that way too.. With the button on the cam.. It's just the super, super close ups using the button might move it more than your like.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
950 Posts |
Mine arrived yesterday but I haven't had a chance to use it yet. It looks good though and the stand is nicer than I expected.
The instruction booklet gave me a laugh.. I love poorly done literal translations.
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Valued Member
United States
359 Posts |
Thanks, Nathan! Baysinger, I'll be interested to hear your personal review of the camera as well.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
950 Posts |
Overall I am satisfied, but I learned to NOT push the red button that is supposed to take a picture. Im not sure why, but it takes about 3 billion pictures right away and I cant figure out a way to delete them other than deleting them all manually, one by one. That was irritating. Otherwise its pretty cool! the stand could be taller though, I had to set it on a 2 inch stack of things to get the whole coin in the field. Also the focus wheel could be a bit more grippy. It is smothe and sort of hard to turn. Here are some pictures I took with it. I had to edit these down to about 30% of their normal size to get them to upload here.   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
950 Posts |
Side note.. its AMAZING how dirty coins are under such magnification! I thougt all of my cents looked pretty free of debris but then with this.. OH BOY do they have gunk.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
9155 Posts |
Can you get the copper colour of the cent too show up more or is the coin that colour?
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Replies: 18 / Views: 7,327 |
Posted 03/27/2013 6:35 pm
