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 Replies: 8 / Views: 2,644 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1374 Posts |
Hey all, Just wanted some advice on a decent stereoscope. Nothing fancy, just awesome clarity. I've owned three Amscopes (all 10x-40x). The electric on the first was blown out of box. The second one had good optics, clear on the edges of the field of view. However, it was missing some parts. Third AmScope I ordered - quality so bad through the lenses that I get a headache. They are heavily smudged; not even clear in the center of the lens. I sent pics to AmScope, and they refunded my money 100% and told me to keep the piece of junk. I'm having a heck of a time finding some quality microsocpes. It is as if AmScope has a monopoly on the internet or something. Can someone help! Russ |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
9792 Posts |
Russ,
I use and really like LW Scientific Steroscopes. Try them out, they are priced around the $300-600 range depending on options. High quality build, superb optics, and easy to get. I used to work at a shop that sold them in Souther California, but there are lots of places online that you should be able to locate, if not drop me a line.
"Buy the Book Before You Buy the Coin" - Aaron R. Feldman - "And read it" - Me 2013! ANA Life Member #3288 in good standing since 1981, ANS, Early American Coppers Member (EAC), Colonial Coin Collectors Club member (C4), Conder Token Collector Club member (CTCC), Civil War Token Society (CWTS) member, Liberty Seated Collectors Club (LSCC) & Numismatic Bibliomania Society member (NBS), USMex, Member in good standing, 2¢ variety collector. See my want page: http://goccf.com/t/140440 |
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
Have a look at Brunel stuff, as well. They're British, priced in similar range to westcoin's stuff, and you'll have to add your own camera but the optical quality is superior for the price. Or, you could follow the formula we're preaching around here and have a great camera & microscope both for about $400.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1374 Posts |
Thanks a million westcoin and SuperDave! I've been getting great shots through my AmScope using my point and shoot camera. But I've gotten to the point where I'm ready for a professional setup. A great scope and after my shop is ready to go, a nice DSLR rig for macro. I'll have an entire room setup for photography. Will definitely post pictures of my coin shop renovation. I'm actually moving into one of the town's oldest buildings. My great-grandfather, a numismatist, owned the bank that was in the same space back in the 40s. It came up for rent for the first time in over 30 years just a couple of weeks before I got my new job down here. Crazy. I'm trying to get his old cannonball safe. It remained with the bank, which has since changed locations. |
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
If you're going to get a dSLR anyway, why bother with a scope? It's relatively cheap and trivial to graft that capability onto a dSLR. Heck, you'll get most of that magnification with a regular macro lens anyway.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1374 Posts |
SuperD - Good point, and I considered that too... but the stereoscopic 3D effect you get with a microscope when looking with your naked eye is too fantastic. To see how the metal flows, and how devices pop out as you rotate the coin under the scope, is awesome. I've found several varieties this way.
I've been using my stereoscope to hunt Snow varieties and inspect anything else that comes across me. It is great for getting a quick look at RPDs, stones, or amber with bugs inside!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4038 Posts |
I'm with you on that D2. I use a B&L Stereo/Stereozoom setup for viewing varieties, going through rolls, etc. But I haven't done any photography through it since I put my first photomacrography setup together. I find it's good to have the two functions separate, though it takes up more room on my desk. It's possible to use the PM setup in Live View for viewing varieties, but you don't get the stereo view which I agree is outstanding for variety searches.
By the way, if you're ever interested in a B&L system, I have several available...
Contact me for photographic equipment or visit my home page at: http://macrocoins.com |
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
Quote:
SuperD - Good point, and I considered that too... but the stereoscopic 3D effect you get with a microscope when looking with your naked eye is too fantastic. To see how the metal flows, and how devices pop out as you rotate the coin under the scope, is awesome. I've found several varieties this way.
I'll never argue with that. Only addressing the imaging part of it, which it occurs to me was never even mentioned in the OP.  |
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Valued Member
United States
259 Posts |
AmScope supplies their scopes with either a 1.3 Mp or 2.0 Mp camera. Both seem relatively low-res. How well do they work to port the image into a PC for capture?
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Replies: 8 / Views: 2,644 |
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Posted 02/04/2014 2:00 pm
