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 Replies: 98 / Views: 32,914 |
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New Member
United States
13 Posts |
Hey all, I am having a bit of fun learning how to photograph my ASE's, but there always seems to be a bit more that can be added. I have seen throughout the Photo forum something called a 'USB Microscope.' What are your thoughts, for those of you that use this type of equipment? I can also see so many other applications that this thing can do. I don't know 'ratios' of any kind, but what is the 200 magnification equal to in macro/close-up photography, if anyone has figured that out. Here is one I found, if I can post this link. If not, please Mod, delete the link. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...TRK:MEWAX:ITI am curious about this piece of equipment and am wanting opinions. Yeah, I'm going CHEAP because that's how I am. Thanks, Dale |
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Valued Member
United States
362 Posts |
I use one I got on Amazon for under $60. I wanted I good entry level one I could play with and decide if I liked USB Microscopes. First all, it is GREAT for very good close ups if you are looking to confirm a die crack, die variety, ect. It also takes good picts of most coins although I had to figure out how to set the scope up and coing to be able to get the whole coin in a shot but this is only with the big ones, ASE's, Morgans, any LARGE dollar. Set up is simple, plug it in and capture your picts. I am very pleased with itI just need to work more with light as the microscope has a light but it just shines down onto the coin and will cause glare, depending on the angle. I would recommend getting one but start simple so you do not tie up a lot of money in one that you may not like. Good luck! |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10038 Posts |
Droid754 said: Quote:Here is one I found, if I can post this link. If not, please Mod, delete the link. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...TRK:MEWAX:IT If you look at their close-up pic o the 10.00 bill, it really is not all that impressive. That seal is about the size of a dime anyway - so the seal is all the close you will get to a dime. I wonder how they are measuring magnification? The seal on a bill is about .59 inches. If it were magnified 200X... Hmm... pull ou the old 2nd grade math book for help... 200 X .59inches = 118 inches or 9.8 feet! If this seal were 9feet 10 inches across! I would think a lot more detail would be seen with the naked eye. So, obviously you cannot fit almost 10 feet on a web page, but I would think the detail seen through this magnifier would correspond to the figures. Maybe I need to Google this and see what I m missing and why 200X is not really 200X  Remember these these USB "microscopes" are simply USB cameras, mounted (convenient!) with a macro lens as a permanent fixture (also convenient in not having to switch modes like on a regular camera). The LEDs are definitely (IMHO) an added plus. Just remember the more MP the camera is, the more detail will show up when you enlarge the picture. Also see the photography section of this forum before making a choice. If you already have a camera, it is very possible you do not need one of the microscopes - unless you prefer the conveniences. How much squash could a Sasquatch squash if a Sasquatch would squash squash? Download and read: Grading the graders Costly TPG ineptitude and No FG Kennedy halveshttps://ln5.sync.com/dl/7ca91bdd0/w...i3b-rbj9fir2 |
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New Member
 United States
13 Posts |
Yeah, I'm going with cheap. The one I AM LOOKING AT IS LESS THAN $30.00. So, cheap.
Plus I am looking at the 'Play With' factor. There has got to be some neat stuff I can do with this thing, if it works as advertised.
Earle said:
"If you look at their close-up pic of the 10.00 bill, it really is not all that impressive. That seal is about the size of a dime anyway - so the seal is all the close you will get to a dime."
That is NOT that impressive a picture. It makes me want to think that the close-up was not taken with said scope. The close-up just looks odd to me.
Fortunately he does have a liberal return policy. I WILL USE IT if I have to.
And, that same picture is used on other items he has for sale that involve a close-up. He has a 1.2 MP scope that has the exact same shot. That's what makes me think it was done with something else.
Besides, the 'seal' just doesn't look right.
We'll see..
I appreciate your time and am looking forward to more, especially from someone(s) who may have this exact scope.
D.
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New Member
United States
3 Posts |
I just got the one in the ebay auction you are showing above. It is easy to set up with the computer, however it is very hard to adjust and the picture for me has been low quality. Dont know yet if I will return or just mark it up live and learn. |
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New Member
United States
13 Posts |
Jack,
I just got mine today.
Haven't had that much time to play with it yet but a couple of things stand out.
One; White Balance seems to be spot on! It takes a picture in ambient light that my Canon DSLR has such a hard time doing, no matter how I set it up.
AND, it does have two light settings. On the on-off switch... A High setting and a Low setting. Low is the best for those close shots. Not so much in the way of 'hot-spots.'
That was one reason I went with one of these. The silver, bright, white on the coin actually shows up.
It can get real close, like as little as ten MM away. That's close.
And as far as it being so hard to adjust the focusing, well, I'm hoping it will loosen a bit with use.
I have found that the sturdier the base the camera is sitting on the easier it is to focus.
I also don't focus using the ring in the middle. I move my finger to the edge and it has to stop and keeps from over focusing.
It will get a close, tight focus but ya just gotta work with it.
So far, I like it. I will post a pic or two tomorrow.
Keep it for a while and work with it.
Dale
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Valued Member
United States
81 Posts |
I have one that I paid about $60.00 for. I like it and use it for seeing varieties. I'm glad I got one with a stand, it helps a lot. I don't always use the lights for pictures. I use defused lights from different angles, that seems to work the best for me.
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Valued Member
United States
262 Posts |
Bought one of these as well xfrom ebzy. Look forward to seeing the quality.
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Valued Member
United States
322 Posts |
Hi Droid754,
I would like to know how your experience using this microscope.
It is inexpensive, I am afraid it is only cheap product that didn't work well.
Please let me know, I would like to buy one if it is good.
Thanks,
Samuel Tan
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3076 Posts |
Look while your ultimate concern is CHEAP...then why are you thinking ultimate quality.......
the cheap dino lite or what ever will do just that give you close ups of your coin. but the color will not be correct.but the detail will be fine....
Its full purpose is to provide observance of fine details, doubling ect..a cheap is not meant to take the best of both worlds...its a great tool for fine details...Or buy an expensive camera which will do it all.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3546 Posts |
Hi,
I was looking into the Mambate products a bit more in detail and it appears that a couple of versions of the USB microscopes are available in the $ 30 - $ 50 price range.
The more expensive one at $ 50 comes with magnification capabilities of between 40x - 800x while the $ 30 version is equipped with a lower 20x - 200x magnification package.
Would purchasing the more expensive model having the higher magnification buy me much if my only purpose is going to be making photographs of coins ranging in sizes from dimes to ASEs (American Silver Eagles)?
From time to time I do observe various varieties and different VAMs etc.
Thanks,
mdpmedia
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Moderator
 United States
56855 Posts |
I think the 40x-800x is way too much mag for coins. I would go with the 20x-200. The one I have goes 10x-150x. John1  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7840 Posts |
Wow! I just stumbled across this thread AFTER I purchased a (entry level) Dino-Lite AM2100 ($99), which is supposed to arrive in the next few days. I am going to send it back unopened and get me one of these Mambate 20x - 200x versions for less than 1/3 the Dino-Lites.
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New Member
1 Posts |
If you have a microscope for coin use, even if it's NOT Mac compatible, I'd like to hear your opinion of it. I've seen the Dino Lite at the FUN show and it looks GREAT, but unfortunately I do NOT have that kind of money to invest in one. Any info on the subject would be appreciated.
Edited by markjason
01/12/2012 10:47 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7840 Posts |
 markjason. That is just one of the great things about this forum; learning from each other! Brightwell also makes a USB Microscope with lots of bells and whistles, and less expensive than Dino-Lite. Dino-Lite is a well-known Gov't seller (which may explain the high prices) as well, I am borrowing one from a co-worker, and it is great! But way too expensive for me, that is why I looked (and bought) the economy version Dion-Lite AM2100, which is going to be returned unopened. I can buy three (one for me and one for my kids) of the Mambates for the price I paid for the Dion-Lite. Edited by oih82w8
01/12/2012 11:00 am
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Moderator
United States
56855 Posts |
I see that the Mambate doesn't have a light control and neither does mine. I have a Celestron and had to cover all but one LED and that LED is covered with a filter, I use a hand held LED. My nephew has a Dino and it has light control and white balance,i wish mine had white balance. John1 |
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Replies: 98 / Views: 32,914 |
Posted 05/16/2011 09:21 am
