Magnitude Of Magnification--Xx

In looking through a magnifier (strength unknown) and looking at some of the supply houses ads, what is the minimum magnification one would need to inspect a specimen for known & published variety aspects of an issue (not fly-specking)???

magnification of 5 times is ok

http://www.amazon.com/Eschenbach-10...ier+10x
This is what I use....it is GREAT!

I use 5x for most things. 10x for flyspecking.

Thanks for the suggestions..5x looks good..

There are many great LED & UV magnifiers out today which are really compact and handy.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odk...+uv&_sacat=0

For regular viewing, 2 1/2 to 3 is OK, but for the real difficult stuff, 10x is best (for me).

For those with tablets (also works with a regular computer):

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

I find that anything from 5X to 20X might be needed, depending on what I am looking at and for.

Sorting out your US stamp "Grills"(if I have the right word) do you only need 5X or is it a form of fly speaking?

Interested. KGV

Checking grills is not flyspecking, but identifying the catalog number of specific stamps. A 5X will work; it is made easier by using a fingertip to spread some pencil graphite on the grill.

I wonder if any of the usb microscopes on ebay would be any good.. seems fairly cheap to get one.

For some of you that may own Ipads or other tablets, I am finding that I can make a very simple stand, and examine stamps using the built-in camera mode. This offers very good zoom capability at a reasonable resolution. Plus, easy to save and email.

Hi

For years I have used foldable Linen Testers. I have 2 which are different magnifications. For general use the larger one is 6x and for "fly specking" the smaller one is 20x. They are more than adequate and being foldable they are convenient.

My Linen Testers are metal and therefore a little more expensive than the plastic ones. If you buy these go for the metal. They last for years, unless you drop one and step on it as I did
(I did buy a new one).

Jerry B