Need Recommendations for Coin Microscope/Camera

Romankow

Hi. I need recommendations for a USB microscope camera that takes photos. I am willing to spend up to around $200.

Most importantly, I want one that can take a full photo of a US silver dollar. A lot of the products out there will only handle a coin the size of a US cent.

I also would like the camera to be 5MP or above.

I don't really care if it comes with its own screen. As long as it is viewable on my PC, that's good enough.

Thanks for your suggestions.

LanceNewmanOCC

i bought a couple of them back in 2010 or so, well before the trend. they worked technically and even though they have advanced, i steer people away from them. they are just too limiting imo.

you're better off with whatever iphone gen you can get for $200. (if you are patient and have some help, you can probably find a decent dslr and lens on ebay used. with help so you don't accidentally buy a junker)

i use an iphone6s ($60 virtually new) and it will beat out most of the results from digiscopes. not bashing those than have them or use them but my advice is my advice. you can buy an attachment zoom lens for $10-20

i'll post a couple images i take with my old iphone here as soon as i dig some out. i'd probably call these a solid B effort. i don't have 2 stationary lights set up nor a stand for the camera. (someone posted a cool iphone copy stand recently but using some books or other items can accomplish nearly the same goal)

you'll be able to do better with whatever the next generation or 2 is.

i'm doing something i do VERY rarely and that is upload high-res image, just so you can see the potential.

WAYNEAS

I use the cell phone stand with 2 lights.
Last picture that I took with my iphone7.

@LanceNewmanOCC said:

i'm doing something i do VERY rarely and that is upload high-res image, just so you can see the potential.

What settings do you use to get the "S" close up?
Thanks
Wayne

LanceNewmanOCC

@WAYNEAS said:
What settings do you use to get the "S" close up?
Thanks
Wayne

.
there are 2 methods i use. (common standards) 1 is that the iphones takes such unbelievably clear and LARGE images/video, that you can do some serious tinkering in post-processing (very easy) to enlarge pics w/o losing resolution.

and either an iphone zoom attachment (tons on ebay) or hand-hold a loupe (challenging) between the camera and object (coin). (the image i took could even be much better if the effort were put forth.

WAYNEAS

@LanceNewmanOCC said:

@WAYNEAS said:
What settings do you use to get the "S" close up?
Thanks
Wayne

.
there are 2 methods i use. (common standards) 1 is that the iphones takes such unbelievably clear and LARGE images/video, that you can do some serious tinkering in post-processing (very easy) to enlarge pics w/o losing resolution.

and either an iphone zoom attachment (tons on ebay) or hand-hold a loupe (challenging) between the camera and object (coin). (the image i took could even be much better if the effort were put forth.

Thanks
Wayne

yspsales

I returned an Amscope a month ago...

Even the smallest 10 power magnification setting was too much to photograph or look at...

Had one years ago that was perfect. Regret selling but cannot remember the Amscope model number.

coinbuf

A waste of money imo.

yosclimber

Best value if you want a lot of capability is to get a used Canon camera body (T2i (18MP) or later, $200),
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_digital_SLRs
and a Canon 100mm macro lens ($120 used on ebay).
Then you will have a big sensor (3300 x 3300 or larger), and proper white balance, so you will get the correct colors.
You will also need a camera stand to hold the camera steady.

Check out some of the available systems at:
https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/963567/numismatic-photography-systems

I also like @LanceNewmanOCC's suggestion to simply use an iphone, if you have one.

Here's a half dime I shot with my Canon T2i (aka 550D, 2010) and macro lens earlier this month.
Right-click and "Open image in new tab" to see full size.

DennisH

I love BIG cracks on coins, so that half dime is awesome in my book!

LanceNewmanOCC

@yosclimber said:
Best value if you want a lot of capability is to get a used Canon camera body (T2i (18MP) or later, $200),
Here's a half dime I shot with my Canon T2i (aka 550D, 2010) and macro lens earlier this month.
Right-click and "Open image in new tab" to see full size.

an amazing image to show the bisected die break and corresponding developing radial crack that was so well shot and post-processed that the image can still be enlarged several times. kudos and what a wonderful seated coin!

yosclimber

It helps to have a really nice coin to shoot, too!

bsshog40

I have an Opti-Tekscope. Works pretty good. Here's a die crack I took a pic of on a nickel.

LanceNewmanOCC

@bsshog40 said:
I have an Opti-Tekscope. Works pretty good. Here's a die crack I took a pic of on a nickel.

you may want to get a better angle/higher magniification to the top side of that "crack." imo, it looks like a "cut" that i've seen on a few other coins that has tripped up some people. pretty good image though.

this is why i've come here to post though.

has anyone used one of these from wizard? a bit pricey but i kinda like the diffuser? attached.

bsshog40

@LanceNewmanOCC said:

@bsshog40 said:
I have an Opti-Tekscope. Works pretty good. Here's a die crack I took a pic of on a nickel.

you may want to get a better angle/higher magniification to the top side of that "crack." imo, it looks like a "cut" that i've seen on a few other coins that has tripped up some people. pretty good image though.

this is why i've come here to post though.

has anyone used one of these from wizard? a bit pricey but i kinda like the diffuser? attached.

Not a cut. That was just one of the pics I took as an example. I know the difference between a cut and raised line.

LanceNewmanOCC

@bsshog40 said:
Not a cut. That was just one of the pics I took as an example. I know the difference between a cut and raised line.

fair enough.

i've seen many knowledgeable people mistake these before especially from not seeing the coin in-hand, which i can't from my end.

how about a gouge vs die crack.

not many cracks i've ever seen so clean and straight out of tens of thousands, perhaps a few hundred.

MWallace

@yosclimber said:

I love that Half Dime!

ricko

@yosclimber.... Wow... That is one, major, die crack.... and really great picture. Cheers, RickO

bsshog40

@LanceNewmanOCC said:

@bsshog40 said:
Not a cut. That was just one of the pics I took as an example. I know the difference between a cut and raised line.

fair enough.

i've seen many knowledgeable people mistake these before especially from not seeing the coin in-hand, which i can't from my end.

how about a gouge vs die crack.

not many cracks i've ever seen so clean and straight out of tens of thousands, perhaps a few hundred.

Could be a die gouge! Here are a couple of the other pics I took. There is one by the date and one off jefferson.

LanceNewmanOCC

@bsshog40 said:
Could be a die gouge! Here are a couple of the other pics I took. There is one by the date and one off jefferson.

nice!