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 Replies: 12 / Views: 3,451 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
646 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
4591 Posts |
I bought mine on sale at Amazon for more like $80. I like it - it takes a delicate touch to focus and the in-built LEDs are for the birds. I use it at shows to scan coins inside a dealer's case without having to have all of them pulled out. -----Burton 50+ year / Life / Emeritus ANA member (joined 12/1/1973) Life member: Numismatics International, CONECA Member: TNA, FtWCC, NETCC, EveryCountry (online) coin club Owned by three cats and a wife of 40+ years (joined 1983) Author: 3rd Edition of the Sample Slabs book, https://www.sampleslabs.info/ |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
4618 Posts |
I have one, but I like my Nikon cameras much better. I always have problems with colors when I try to use the Celestron. HOWEVER, the one I have doesn't have the same support. Mine has a little chrome arm that's really difficult to use. The one in the link you posted seems much more interesting and useful.
ANA ID: 3203813 - CONECA ID: N-5637 Clean a coin that may be worth collecting? Please DON'T! When in doubt, leave it dirty!! 
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4037 Posts |
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Valued Member
Canada
234 Posts |
I got this Celestron microscope more than 1 year ago.
I'm quite satisfied, but there's some drawbacks.
1- as mentioned focus adjustment is quite course.
2- The post is not long enough. If you want to grad your full coin, you have to adapt the setup.
3- LEDS produce bad reflection on shiny coin. I minimized this effect by adding small rings of paper inside the tube to improve light diffusion.
4- I use external 5000K LED bulb for additional flexibility with lighting conditions.
5- Magnification of 200x is somewhat limited if you want a close look of tiny detail.
In all cases, you need to experiment a lot, whatever the model you have. You need a good instrument, but lighting conditions is the second aspect you need to masterise, such as the light angle of incidence and line of sight with the camera. There working condition always change depending what you want to highlight on your coin.
There's many similar models available on the market depending of your budget.
Edited by SP67
04/24/2020 11:44 am
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Valued Member
Canada
276 Posts |
FYI, there are plenty of reviews on youtube. I have one and I am still using it today for my coin photos. The learning curve was not that difficult. I would recommend it. Here's the manual for review, https://celestron-site-support-file...b%5B2%5D.pdfSupport Site, if the software on the CD does not work. https://www.celestron.com/pages/dri...and-softwareQuote:
1- as mentioned focus adjustment is quite course. Yes, the focus wheel on it is very tight. After you are close to the picture of the coin that you want, further minute adjustments can be made with the Height Adjustment Wheel. Quote:
2- The post is not long enough. If you want to grad your full coin, you have to adapt the setup. Purchase a 5/8" oak dowel rod from Lowes or Home Depot as a inexpensive replacement for the post. Quote:
3- LEDS produce bad reflection on shiny coin. I minimized this effect by adding small rings of paper inside the tube to improve light diffusion. I only used it on brown toned coins. Quote:
4- I use external 5000K LED bulb for additional flexibility with lighting conditions. 1 -3 LED lights for me Edited by the_sifu
04/24/2020 3:10 pm
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Valued Member
Canada
234 Posts |
Thanks the_sifu for your additional comments. I will replace the post as per your suggestion. I should have mentioned that I'm quite satisfied with the optical quality of this microscope  |
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Valued Member
Canada
276 Posts |
You're welcome, SP67. Wideglide and SP67, if you have not checked out this thread on USB Microscope Modification. Please take a quick gander. There are a lot of great creative ideas on repoling and lighting from the CCF community, with great pics. http://goccf.com/t/283676When I started using the Celestron USB Microscope, it was never about the camera, but it was always about the lighting. Also, never ignore the use of the Height Adjustment Wheel. I never use it for the first couple months and relied solely on the focus wheel, and rediscovered it, later on. What a difference in quality of my coin pics. The Height Adjustment Wheel is easier to use, and you can make finer adjustments to picture on the screen. |
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Valued Member
Canada
234 Posts |
Thanks for the link. I new to this forum, so I'm still looking for great threads. For sure I will take a look at your reference.
I know the height adjusting knob, and I'm always using it.
The other drawback I will have to fix is the rigidity between the post and the mounting table. It's actually too soft, which make the fine focus more difficult to achieve.
The current software is also basic. Do you know better software compatible with this microscope?
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Valued Member
Canada
276 Posts |
Quote:
Do you know better software compatible with this microscope? Sorry, I do not. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4037 Posts |
The primary limitation of this microscope is its software. The scope itself is pretty good, but the software is very poor.
Contact me for photographic equipment or visit my home page at: http://macrocoins.com |
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Valued Member
Canada
234 Posts |
I agree with your statement rmpsrpms !
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Pillar of the Community
United States
584 Posts |
obs studio has decent drivers built in except you have to print screen because it doesn't have capture. well as of few months ago.
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Replies: 12 / Views: 3,451 |
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Posted 04/18/2020 9:55 pm
