coin pics and viewing

[nightowl]

i would greatly appreciate any info on what everyone uses to view their coins and also taking pictures of them. right now im useing a 60X hand held magnifier which is a pain in the butt not to mention the eyes. i use to search just for dates and condition. since coming to this site you all got me hooked on lookihg for varietes while im at it. i would like something to be able to view the whole coin at one time. i also would like to be able to take pics of some regular ones to unload on ebay. i wear glasses and am camera and viewer stupid!! the cheaper the better for right now. sorry i didnt mean to write a letter Joe

[Steven]

Joe,
I don't think I would want to view the whole coin at one time while looking for die varieties. Personal preference I guess. I would rather look at each of the devices on the coin, letters, numbers, field etc., then a full view of the coin without maginification for condition/eye appeal.
I use a 10X loupe and/or a 20mm telescope lense when searching. I take my photos with a cheapy traveler camer 6.31mp. I attached the loupe or the telescope lense to the camera lense when taking photos.
I just can't seem to scratch up the cash for a decent set up for photos as you may be able to tell in my photo section. :sad:
This will just have to do me for a while though. I hope this relates to what you were asking.
Also a little photoshop help doesn't hurt.

[fugnchill]

Hi Joe,

My finances are very, very low right now so I use an Intel QX3 microscope ($30). It only has 10X, 60X & 200X zoom. The lighting source is adjustable (upper/lower, high/low). I also use a 2x2 cardboard flip with one of the plastic films cut off to hold the coin and tip it up to view strike depth ( I can show pics if needed). Once I go back to work then I'll be getting a tri-nocular microscope to view and photograph coins ($250 - $1000). I also use an old Sony digital camera 2 megapixal and of course the scanner with multiple backgrounds (such as black cloth). I also built a photo box but that's another story. I try to read/research as much as I can before making a purchase and utilize forums like this, You know... exactly what your doing now. Good for you! Have fun.

Lestrrr

[nightowl]

2562 Has Anyone Tried ONE OF THESE. THEYRE SUPPOSE TO MAGNIFY TO YOUR PC. ARE THEY JUNK OR NOT?

[fugnchill]

I've never seen that before. It doesn't even look like a microscope. The QX3/QX5 is connected to your PC through a USB cord. It doesn't have the resolution that I really want/need but it's better than a scanner.

[DWK]

I've never seen that before. It doesn't even look like a microscope. The QX3/QX5 is connected to your PC through a USB cord. It doesn't have the resolution that I really want/need but it's better than a scanner.

I agree about the resolution. I have a QX5. I have posted many pics here to judge by. 10x gets almost the whole penny. Mostly I use 60X for details. Only rarely do I find 200X useful.

Its real easy to use, I just wish the resolution (Pixels I guess) was better and clearer.

DWK

[JeanK]

Recently I purchased a QX5 microscope and am quite underwhelmed at its capabilities.
Even on 10X the resolution is quite porous.
The 60X mode shows fairly good varieties, but the glare from lighting usually gets in the way and doesn't give an complete picture as I often have to turn the coin around to see the opposite side of the mint mark or other device.
As was suggested to me on another forum, I covered the light with a small piece of white cloth, which helps some with the worse glare.

What I really want is an appropriate camera or microscope to take the same type of pictures but very clear and at different magnifications and an adjustable focus. Preferrably without having to stand on my head.
What equipment does a professional coin photographer use?

JeanK

[kloccwork419]

lol..U guys wont believe me but i bought a kids handheld BioniCam video microscope and it has its own screen. It also connects to any TV for some"easy on the eyes" viewing and it takes pix with its own usb drive that u can just plug in and get the pix off. Its funny. it can go up to 400x if you really want to. i keep it at 100x and it works great. It has 3 little lights coming in from different angles on the tip too.

Anyway

I never seen that thing up there before but it sure does look nice. Im gonna have to look into it.

[JeanK]

I just checked on the BioniCam video microscope and found it to be a bit rudimentary for coin photography.
Then I went on the hunt and found a very interesting microscope at:
www.celestron.com Being the LCD Digital Microscope #44340.
If I can find out if it is compatible with my computer I might order it.

Check it out.
If anyone in LCR has this product and wants to share the pros and cons, please do.

JeanK

[DWK]

Jean:

I could find no mention of the resolution or megapixels of the camera in their manual.

I assume its poor, like our QX5s. I love mine for ease of use, but I too, would like better resolution. Oh well, someday soon I hope.

Dave Kearns

[kloccwork419]

Heres a basic quick pic I took with my BioniCam of a maybe doubled date

[JeanK]

Thanks David, I think you are right about the resolution part of the microscope.
Maybe I can find a shop where there is one to try out first.
JeanK

[JeanK]

That is a nice picture Jason.
What magnification is this one?
My QX5 cannot seem to focus that good on 60X. Then there is the glare, which is a big problem. I even covered the light bulb with a piece of white cloth and a bit of invisible type of scotch tape, still too much glare.
Disappointed or not I refuse to give up on the search.
JeanK

[kloccwork419]

Its at 100x..it go 100-200-400x..i keep it at 100x..at 200 its seems to be really close. Which works good if you want to looks REALLY close to a doubling to se if its MD or not..i know it just feels good on my eyes lookin at my 26in screen rather then lookin thru a half inch loupe..lol

[RWBILLER]

I just use a little hand-held magnifying glass that has a 6x viewer - I need to get something a little stronger and "more technical."
I just use my camera to take close ups or regular pic's then use the softwares crop feature.
thx
Roger