2024 scope

[Conan62]

Can I have opinions on the best scope for
Lighting (realistic view)
detail
variable magnifications easily changed
Auto-focus??
external HDMI or Wireless
ability to measure
Under 1000.00$

[MintErrors]

In my opinion, thr research is on you. You are the one who knows exactly what you want. One thing I did not see on the list is storage for photos. That again, depends on models and type.

If your looking for the newer table top versions of the microscopes, researching places like Amazon might be beneficial. You can compare fearures and costs.

Most of what you listed above do not apply to the standard microscopes. The trinicular stereo microscopes are very good, connect to a pc so you can view the object on the pc and save photos. Those can be found at AMSCOPE.

Those features above are leaning towards the new fangled Asian based microscopes. I don't have any recommendations, since I use something totally different. The scopes I use typically weigh close to 15 pounds.

All these listed feature requests are noted, but, it's not as easy as slapping a coin down, and takingva photo. There are plenty of variables which can make the process a little more difficult. In most cases, lighting is the #1 pain....it may change on each coin depending on the coin denomination, toning, condition, etc.

If your looking to purchase a microscope for use with coins, I believe you won't need to go much higher than 80x magnification. Most times, 10x or 20x is sufficient.

Going higher than that will only add to the confusion. Many minor imperfections can be exaggerated which in most cases, minor things are pretty worthless.

My recommendations for my purchases worked for me and the environments I take my gear to. They may not work for anyone else. I suggest making the list in order of priority and see what's out there.

[Conan62]

Thanks, Gary, I’ve been looking on Amazon for some time. I have two Tomlov scopes now, but I’m not happy with Photos, screen image quality or the inability to measure. I would like to get away from Tomlov even though they claim to be the number one scope. They’re most recent release is auto focus. I appreciate the additional name (Amscope), I will research it. I agree with everything you say thank you.

[occnumis2021]

Thanks, Gary, I’ve been looking on Amazon for some time. I have two Tomlov scopes now, but I’m not happy with Photos, screen image quality or the inability to measure. I would like to get away from Tomlov even though they claim to be the number one scope. They’re most recent release is auto focus. I appreciate the additional name (Amscope), I will research it. I agree with everything you say thank you.

smart phones are a bit more money but are much more versatile, much higher quality images, if you at least a somewhat newer generation phone. you can also purchase (inexpensively?) the loupe that attaches to the phone where the lens(es) are.

if you had the money and desire, i'd push for a DSLR (used) with an appropriate macro lens (probably $250-400 total for both) that would kick the phone and scopes butts.

but then you need a stand, shutter release (imo), power adapter (plug in) in-lieu of a battery and charger. can't go portable as easy but MUCH better for long home imaging sessions (or at shows).

[MintErrors]

occnumis2021 , I have multiple dslr cameras, and I will agree that with a very expensive high grade lens - which will cost at least 800 bucks, you can snap a solo photo of the coin and see lint on the field. I have seen heritage auction house setup and the macro lenses they use are incredible both in size and price tag. They have about 18 stations. They use different stations for different types of coins so they do not have to change the configuration much. I think I still have the info on the lens that heritage uses. That will have to wait until I am back in the office on the pc.
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Smart phones are Ok... I currently have a galaxy s9 plus and photos are way better than a dslr camera with a standard lens. I will say that I am going to purchase a Samsung s24 ultra and I cannot wait to see how the 200 megapixel camera performs when taking photos of coins.

I've got the stand, power adapter, remote shutter, macro tube for close ups and even a lens to take photos through the eye piece of a standard microscope. I enjoy all of them. I have learned many years ago that it does take different setups to get quality photographs of coins. It depends on whether you want full obverse and reverse or just certain sections of the coin.

Honestly, it depends on the mood. Close ups, I do with the AMSCOPEs trinocular stereo microscopes (5x to 80x) with the 14 or 16 megapixel microscope cameras. I can the use a dlsr to get the full obverse and reverse or go with a smart phone.

It really depends on the budget and what the desires are years down the road.

[occnumis2021]

occnumis2021 , I have multiple dslr cameras, and I will agree that with a very expensive high grade lens - which will cost at least 800 bucks, you can snap a solo photo of the coin and see lint on the field. I have seen heritage auction house setup and the macro lenses they use are incredible both in size and price tag. They have about 18 stations. They use different stations for different types of coins so they do not have to change the configuration much. I think I still have the info on the lens that heritage uses. That will have to wait until I am back in the office on the pc.
0
Smart phones are Ok... I currently have a galaxy s9 plus and photos are way better than a dslr camera with a standard lens. I will say that I am going to purchase a Samsung s24 ultra and I cannot wait to see how the 200 megapixel camera performs when taking photos of coins.

I've got the stand, power adapter, remote shutter, macro tube for close ups and even a lens to take photos through the eye piece of a standard microscope. I enjoy all of them. I have learned many years ago that it does take different setups to get quality photographs of coins. It depends on whether you want full obverse and reverse or just certain sections of the coin.

Honestly, it depends on the mood. Close ups, I do with the AMSCOPEs trinocular stereo microscopes (5x to 80x) with the 14 or 16 megapixel microscope cameras. I can the use a dlsr to get the full obverse and reverse or go with a smart phone.

It really depends on the budget and what the desires are years down the road.

HA! very nice.

used equip, even for a macro lens should be way less than 800. i bought a new one years ago for half that. a sigma something. 150mm?

i liked the resolution on the dslr because if you zoom in on one area of the coin, the image itlsef (non raw image) can be enlarged much more because of the high pixel count.

BUT, those macro tubes and ms objectives, really really get in those hard to reach places. rotfl

idk if the OP $1000 budget is a typo and is really $100? but for $1k, i for sure could put together all of the things we mentioned for a dslr, including the stand. not a high quality one mind you but a decent one. finding a body that hasn't been abused would really be the toughest challenge.

digi scopes (i've had 2 many many years ago) are quick, easy, cheap? but extremely limited and so many poor souls posting on coin forums after having bought one only to be told the images aren't acceptable must be heart-breaking. :-/ - that is partly due to lack of coin imaging knowledge though.

they are great for searching through bulk coins though while preserving one's neck. lmao

edited to add: i did have a numismotography expert helping to guide me (more than one?) to put together my setup.

[Conan62]

Thank you for the information. I have a Nikon Z mirrorless camera with 50mm, 24-200 and 180-600 lenses. Nikon is very proud of their products. Their NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S macro lens is 849.00. Can probably get one used for 750. I might have to bite the bullet. We’ll see. I’ll let you know. Digital scopes start on Amazon for $35. The last one I bought was about 300. (I can’t remember exactly). It was the best one available at the time but I’m still unhappy with it. Going to look into Amscope.

[occnumis2021]

Thank you for the information. I have a Nikon Z mirrorless camera with 50mm, 24-200 and 180-600 lenses. Nikon is very proud of their products. Their NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S macro lens is 849.00. Can probably get one used for 750. I might have to bite the bullet. We’ll see. I’ll let you know. Digital scopes start on Amazon for $35. The last one I bought was about 300. (I can’t remember exactly). It was the best one available at the time but I’m still unhappy with it. Going to look into Amscope.

tbh, it sounds like you have everything you need. perhaps buying more stuff will not get you where you need to go. learning what you got (intricately) will probably take you miles. i concede, it took me several months to "dial-in" my images with my nikon d90 but admittadely, i knew absolutely nothing about dslr and high-end macro imaging.

have you looked into tethering? i never got around to it but it was a regret that i didn't. i knew others that did and it seemed pretty effective.

will you take a close-up of a coin with your current camera/lens? maybe even a couple images. moving the lights around is KEY to finding the sweet spot with coin imaging.

a LOT takes place in post processing. knowing how to crop, zoom into an image is like, half the battle.

photoscape is good for round cropping. paint.net is good for layering, rotating (cropping too) etc. but i use ms paint (the basic one, not the new win10/11 one) to do a LOT of post processing but it does have it's limits of course.

[MintErrors]

occnumis2021 The equipment I knew Heritage actions used years ago was:

Each station (18 of them)
Canon 5DmkII or III camera tethered to PC with a Canon 180mm Macro lens Lighting was a Calumet Travellite with a Bowens hood.