Best Microscope to use

[Coinfused]

Hello Everyone, as I scan through the different forums on this site I cant help but be fascinated by the impressive high quality and highly detailed pictures of some of the specimens being submitted here. I also read and at some point am also told that if I can't see the error with my naked eyes then it may just be a minor error or insignificant to that effect. Its little confusing to me because I was just looking at an example in one of the forums here regarding a possible RPM on a 1960's Lincoln penny. The errors are literally minute but yet the details are astounding. With my four eyes I sure would not be able to see that even if I use my loupe. I could use my cheap coin microscope but by the time I get close enough to actually get a good look, the microscope is at its maximum capability and the coin/object is now way out of focus. I have an option of buying another microscope but I would like to know which one or what brand that would give me the best result or best bang for my money. I would like to be able to submit my potential findings or even submit a better and clearer picture/samples to our panel of experts here so they can inform and better educate us novices and amateurs and so that we too can see what they are seeing and understand what they are telling us. If you have this type of equipment and are currently using it, kindly tell me the brand and I will research it. I am looking forward to your responses.

[MintErrors]

I have two models from the American Scope brand. https://amscope.com


Both are Stereo Microscopes and are trinocular have a special place for a microscope camera so the microscope camera does not have to be put in the eye piece a photo taken and then remove the camera and replace the eye piece.

I paid about $300.00 for the Microscope and about 200.00 for the microscope camera on the newest set up I have.
The other setup will be packaged up and used solely at the CONECA state rep table at the shows I do.

The Microscope cameras I have are of different Quality.
The first one I bought was 5 MP (megapixels) and it was OK.
The second was a 14MP and the third was a 16MP camera.

AMSCOPE provides a CDROM with software that you can load onto your PC. You attach the supplied cord from the back side of the camera into a USB slot into the PC and start the software. You will need to make a few adjustments when the software is loaded in order to optimize the photos.

I bought mine over the holidays and they had a 20% off sale. I don't want to influence your decision on costs quality or type of microscope to buy but I want to make a few suggestions:

Buy something right the first time. I pay attention on the actual weight of the microscope. My AMSCOPE weighs close to 15 pounds, so I know its not going to be a student model, its going to last as long as I take care of it.

The AMSCOPE has a slide out, push in bar on the left hand side near the eye piece. This allows the Trinocular port to open and close. If the Trinocular port is open, you lose the left eyepiece while it is in use. Simply push the bar back in to close the trinocular port and regain use of the left eye piece.

I suggest finding one that has a LED light vice a halogen one. The halogen light on may older AMSCOPE used to get so hot, I simply unplugged it and removed it from the system. I use a variety of lighting instead to help get the best photograph I can.

I think the Microscope you buy should come with a additional screw on Barrow lens. I specifically buy systems that come with a X2 Barrow lens.
you need to be EXTREMELY careful and patient when screwing in the Barrow lens, the threads can easily be cross threaded. If there is any resistance at all, its best to take it off and try again. Its important to have it on properly so the Lens can provide a good focal area.

I will take a photograph of what my set up looks like:

AMSCOPE-Microscope.jpg

Here are a few profuse Lincoln Cent mintmarks I was able to take at max magnification with barrow lens screwed in.

1945S-CONECA-RPM-009-0001-4x2-S-only.jpg

1946-D-CONECA-RPM-012-00001-4x2-D-only.jpg

1947-D-CONECA-RPM-001-00001-4x2-D-only.jpg

[Coinfused]

Mr. Kozera, Thank you very much for your suggestion. I will definitely look into this. The details of the sample pictures you presented are what I was talking about and you hit the nail square on the head so to speak. These are the kinds of details that can only be seen through a proper microscope and camera. Without these details, some novice like me could submit a legitimate variety or error and could just be dismissed as an extra cud or something other than what it really is. Thank you very much for providing me/us the information we all need to make this hobby more educational, interesting, fun, and a lot less stressful moving forward.

Best Regards

[MintErrors]

All I can add is, wait for others to respond as well.

I like the AMSCOPE's but at times the focal area can be small depending on the amount of magnification. I typically do not go over 80x power because it becomes very grainy and just the slightest movement on the coin or the focusing wheel knocks it out of focus.

I do not know if this a suffrage across other scope designs, or the setup. IF you decide to go with AMSCOPE, the representatives have been true-to-course with me on the questions I have asked.

The initial investment is crucial but so is the #1 pain - proper lighting. Some people will swear on a stack of Bibles that one light is the best to photograph coins. The photos above were taken with two identical lights with some sheer cloth over them to diffuse the reflection/refraction. I have enough space on the conference tables to move the lights slowly at will until I find that sweet spot. It's ingenuity, logic and craftiness that wins over a stubborn coin that does not like to be photographed. Some coins will be exteremely easy to photograph, while others will take a long time to get it right.

Of all the coin photographs I have seen, Jason C's photos (now the CONECA lead attributor !) are absolutely incredible at times.
Hopefully he will chime in here and offer his suggestions.





I think this is the AMSCOPE Stereo Trinocular one I have. It has the 2x multiplication Barrow lens.

SKU: SW-2T24Z

20X-40X-80X Trinocular Stereo Microscope with Top & Bottom Lights (amscope.com)


The Microscope cameras will be good if they are 10MP or higher. My 16 MP is about equal with my 14MP one.
They can go on sale or clearance on short notice, but for example, this is the type that fits directly into the trinocular eyepiece without fuss. I was picky, I wanted at least 14+MP, but it depends on your budget.

10MP USB3.0 Real-Time Live Video Microscope USB Digital Camera (amscope.com)


If you have any questions at all, feel free to PM (private message) me here, respond to this post or email me at
info
at
minterrors
dot
org

[Coinfused]

I will wait for others to respond and definitely look into their suggestions so I can properly weigh my options. Thank you again for your insight. I am looking forward to go to the website tonight and see what they have.

Very Best,
Mike J.

[jcuve]

The AMScopes are good.