Which Microscope

I'm thinking of purchasing a microscope. I know as much about microscopes as the back side of the moon. What I would like is one that would allow me to focus on two different stamps of the same image so I could compare them against each other, I'm looking for differences. Magnification up to about 60x would be enough I think, lighted, USB port, stereo view and affordable.

I'm open to suggestions.

Art

60x magnification would allow you to see bacteria growing on a stamp! 10x is a good start with 30x being about the highest magnification that is practical. Anything more would be over the top.

Brian

Edit:

It looks like 60x is common for digital microscopes.

Hi Art!

Your needs are real and I love to use a digital magnifier and get the value tablet on the stamp the size of the screen. So many wonders are no longer a mystery when fly specking KGVs. Totally special being able to see in detail clearly.

But the real issue here for me is how good is your memory. If you have a good memory you would need to see only one stamp at a time. The more time you spend with the same type of stamp the better your memory becomes.

UV lights are a bit the same. I need 10 lights joined together to have a large working area because my short term memory is not so good. Another person may have a good short term memory and can work with 3 or 4 lights.

It is an interesting issue and I wish you all the best.

Always Happy Stamping. KGV.

Brian,

I'm not looking for bacteria. Have you looked at the plating variances of the 1 cent Franklin A5? WOW! Some of the differences are the size of bacteria! I have several dozen of this issue, mostly the perforated Scott #24. Besides, I want to learn about plating and I figure that this would be about as bad as it gets. Besides, its another toy and will make me look like I actually know what I'm talking about. I love illusions.

Art

I've had a good experience with a second hand microscope. It has a North - South and an East - West adjustment on the stage (the part where you put the slide) which is great for comparing two stamps at the same time. It was probably made in the 1970s (or even earlier) and looks it, but on the up side, it has been going for 40 years (at least) and I will probably pass it down to my children or grandchildren.

The only feature it lacks is backlighting; a light underneath the stage - it only has a mirror. This isn't that useful (in my opinion) for stamps anyhow.

It is also possible to buy cheap children's plastic microscopes that work quite well. I bought one from a garage sale for $5. It works but doesn't have the solid feel, the adjustability or the clarity at higher magnification of the other one.

Hope you find something that suits your needs and your budget Art.

Hi artlaunier

As a Gemmologist I find that my stereo microscope is invaluable.
However they are expensive. You are looking at $500.00 dollars upwards.
Maybe you may be able to find one on ebay or other sites.
Regards
Horamakhet

What "digital" brands does anyone seem to like for a scope? I see there are soooooo many varieties out there.
Bob

Here art look at this. My wife is buying me one of these soon and seen this thread and thought you may be interested? -Jeff
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Portable-20...em415da3edbd

Amscope.com has good quality scopes at a very reasonable prices. I agree, a stereo microscope is very good for close viewing. You can even get a digital camera that can be put in the place of one of the eyepieces. As a science teacher I have seen science supply catalogs sell scopes for outrageous prices. You can get the same quality (if not better) scopes at Amscopes.com for almost a third of the price. For stereo scopes the prices start at a little over $100 and go up. I've bought both a double arm boom stereo microscope (that has zoom magnification from 3.5x - 90x) and a compound microscope from them and am very pleased with the quality and performance.

I was looking at Czechoslovakia 162 this morning and thought I would do a few screen captures with the digital camera connected to the stereoscope. I was going to post a lowest/highest magnification shot of the stamp but ended up exiting out of the software and putting everything away before saving.

But then I realized that I took a picture of the desk beforehand. You can look on the screen and see the difference between the highest and lowest magnification. The closeup of the man's head (on the right side of the computer screen) is the man in the middle holding up the sword (on the left side of the computer screen).

I know, it's not as good as the actual images but I didn't have it in me to hook everything up again. Plus, it's close to nap time.

Very nice setup! I can't wait to do the same for myself :)

I bought a small digital microscope last year. I got it on-line from an astronomy shop in Toronto. The microscope is branded "Celestron". Celestron makes quite a variety of 'digital' microscopes from about $100 and up.
I don't use it a lot but for things like seeing or measuring the microprinting on modern stamps it is great.
Brian

I just bought a Celestron 44302-A for about $60. See sample below from the new Liberty Bell envelope. It advertises 10x to 150x mag. I find it is very light weight - I may build a heavy base platform to hold it in place. Also, the thumb wheel to change magnification is not user friendly. Otherwise, I'm happily flyspecing away.

Not much word on this topic in 2 1/2 years here, how is the digital microscope crowd getting along?

I was browsing scopes on ebay today. It looks like a neat gadget. My collecting hasn't gotten to the point where I know what details to pick out but for a low price today of a scope would enhance the hobby to see what I am not now seeing.

this forum usually posts some neat close ups at times.

what looks good to you on the link to use or maybe you have another link to another place to look at this type of item.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_kw=...oscope+stamp

Yes, there are some nice choices for less than $20 US on this page:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw...tamp&_sop=15

I have this one: USB 25X-200X Magnifier 2.0 MP Digital Microscope Endoscope HE
It works very well.
First plus: It can be mounted on the stand to allow hands-free looking.
It comes with built-in LED lights and filters.
You can capture pictures and it shows in real time so you can use it for other things like watch repairs, soldering miniature electronic circuits; and, as previously mentioned here: the + + of watching bacteria grow.

If you want to go WIFI:

http://www.adafruit.com/products/1276