A Closer Look - Type/Brand Of Microscope I Can Use?

Any ideas fdrom the Pros as to the type/brand of microscope I can use to view the details on my Washington/Franklins etc? I've been using a magnifying glass or a hand-held lighted 30 power magnifier but now as I age I need something more stable.

I've been collecting pre-1977 U.S. stamps for almost 50 years. Why nothing after 1976? That's when I realized the USPS was in the business of making a living off the stamp collectors.

I'm sorry I don't have much information on microscopes.

However I would like to welcome you to the forum, mobiusring! (You must be a mathematician.)

We are looking forward to seeing some of the stamps in your collection! Do you collect mint, used or both? covers?

You might want to consider the QX5 digital microscope.

Hello mobiusring

I have two microscopes....the QX5 can only be used when connected to a computer but has a built in 2mp digital camera so you can see what you're looking at on your computer screen, capture and save pictures. The only real drawback is that it's a only a 2mp camera, looks like a toy but yields fair to decent results. Here'a picture of a spider leg I took with it at 100x.....


Edmund Scientifics has the more traditional style microscopes, the one I bought does not connect to a computer but I am able to get pictures with my Nikon 4300 just by holding the camera to the eyepiece. Here's a couple of samples....
Stamp paper at 400x....


table salt at 400x....


http://digiblue.com/digital_blue/qx5.html
http://scientificsonline.com/Defaul...2=1204681730

Hope you're able to fnd something that works for you.

It looks like t360 and nr-notrare have taken care of you already, but I did want to say to the site and of some of your material!

This old guy doesn't know anything about new-fangled computer microscopes, but if you are looking for a traditional microscope it would seem that a dissecting microscope is what you would need since ordinary microscopes depend on transmitted light and you would be looking at the surface of a stamp.

Much appreciated, folks! I just bought a digital microscope on ebay. I like the idea of looking at the stamp's details on my monitor.
t360: I did major in math/physics my first few years of college but am now an Architect and structural engineer in Chicago.
Great pics nr-notrare!
Thanks for the welcome laswabbie
Modern_who, make room for another old guy!

As far as stamps, my most proud posession is a beautiful used Washington 3 cent Scott 64. I have pretty much come to my economiucal limit on standard issue stamps and am now finding "place holders" on ebay and am working on the "back of the book". I use the Scott specialty series albums.

Hello mobius....

Thanks, glad you like the pic's.....I'm curious, what microscope did you get ??

Would sure like a look at that #64 !

would like to see your #64!