Qx5 Microscope

I have one. If you are ok with a kids toy, it is fine. The resolution is terrible (512x384) and it is grainy. The LED light that comes with it is horrible for coins. You will have to provide external lighting.

But, it is only a 65 or so bux too....

Here is a photo I took of a die cracked lincoln with the built in led light.


Same coin with camera. Note: I did not spend a lot of time on the shot, but you can see the color is much nicer with the camera.


I does ok getting close ups of coins, but I can get the same images with my 6 mp camera in macro mode and they are clearer with better color......

MM

Kurt made a good point. It is good for live viewing on a big monitor. Much less eye strain. As you move the coin around, you actually see it live on the screen.

I guess I am critical of the photos it does because I used to do a lot of 35mm photography and color reproduction was critical.

MM

quote:

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Are there no color balance or white point controls in the software?

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No. It's a low-dollar effort, and even if there were you'd want to use third-party software anyways. With mine, I tend to work in monochrome; the sensor and lighting aren't exactly state-of-the-art, as has been mentioned, and you're just shooting details anyways. Monochrome is better for showing error details, in my mind - I feel like color detracts from the specific detail I want to show, unless it's absolutely perfect. In the QX5's case, the optics and electronics can't really be trusted to provide accurate-enough color. It's easy enough to take away and reduce saturation in Photoshop, but having to add color is a can of worms.