<< <i>I will chime in again, not as the sarcastic ba$tard that I am, but as a resident physicist, with a specialty in medical applications.
When you look at things with both eyes open, you process them as nature intended, as a stereoscopic version of the thing itself. The processing is natural and the image perceived is easily understood by the brain. Breaking it down into what is seen by the right eye as distinguished from what is seen by the left however, you get this:
The right eye sees the light reflected from an object as it travels from the light source, bouncing off of the subject, and into the right eye. The left does the same.
So, how does this apply to viewing coins? Simple. Keeping both eyes open allows your brain to combine both inputs into a single image. The natural, two eyes open view allows for harmonic combinations of light to form in the mind's eye, forming a more complete and accurate representation. This is especially important to consider when viewing coins (themselves) and coin images.
Basically, when we view coins using a single light source with both eyes open, we hold the coin so that the light is most revealing of the coin itself, usually upright, with the light coming in from out in front of your head. Coin collectors have innately trained themselves to see this as the "natural" look of a coin. This is why photographs of coins with axial lighting, or lit from below look unnatural. Since the light is perceived slightly differently by both individual eyes and then combined for the final mental image, closing one eye does in fact reduce the input and will actually change the mental image of a coin, albeit ever-so-slightly that you may not notice.
One thing that I did discover when learning to photograph coins is that having a light source at 10 and 2 o'clock will yield the most accurate representation of the coin on film. This is because those light positions mimic what the eyes see when they are both open. If you think about it, this makes sense. The 10 o'clock light provides the lighting that is representative of what the left eye sees. The 2 o'clock light gives the right eye info. Combined, it looks natural, and most like holding the coin in hand under a single light.
I hope this helps. >>
Hate to tell you this but you're kidding yourself if you're thinking you're seeing the coin through the loupe with both eyes. You may indeed have both eyes open while holding the loupe midway between your eyes and the coin, but you're seeing the coin with your dominant eye, and you're not seeing it with the other eye. Demonstrate that for yourself by zeroing-in on the coin as such with both eyes open, then closing one eye, then opening it, and closing the other eye. That will show you which your dominant eye is. Try it, see it for yourself. Just keep your head still.
<< <i>I've used a telescope for years, and keep both eyes open while viewing with it as well. The generally accepted notion is that it prevents eye fatigue. Whether this applies when using a loupe or not I don't know, but it seems to make sense when viewing large numbers of coins. >>
absolutely, what I have always been taught and do.
Be it telescope, microscope or loupe......
"Gold is money, and nothing else" (JP Morgan, 1912)
"“Those who sacrifice liberty for security/safety deserve neither.“(Benjamin Franklin)
I agree with you, and I am a physicist, also. When i view a coin through a loupe, the 'other' eye can't see the coin. BTW, I shoot guns and do astronomy the same way....one eye shut.
Most people do better with most things if they keep both eyes open. Many people have a lot of trouble learning this ability and there are individual differences and exceptions. It's best to try learning it with two eyes. With many things the advantage isn't that great so go with what works for you.
Comments
if you close one eye,
the other may see better as the brain is getting less imputs to process.
<< <i>I will chime in again, not as the sarcastic ba$tard that I am, but as a resident physicist, with a specialty in medical applications.
When you look at things with both eyes open, you process them as nature intended, as a stereoscopic version of the thing itself. The processing is natural and the image perceived is easily understood by the brain. Breaking it down into what is seen by the right eye as distinguished from what is seen by the left however, you get this:
The right eye sees the light reflected from an object as it travels from the light source, bouncing off of the subject, and into the right eye. The left does the same.
So, how does this apply to viewing coins? Simple. Keeping both eyes open allows your brain to combine both inputs into a single image. The natural, two eyes open view allows for harmonic combinations of light to form in the mind's eye, forming a more complete and accurate representation. This is especially important to consider when viewing coins (themselves) and coin images.
Basically, when we view coins using a single light source with both eyes open, we hold the coin so that the light is most revealing of the coin itself, usually upright, with the light coming in from out in front of your head. Coin collectors have innately trained themselves to see this as the "natural" look of a coin. This is why photographs of coins with axial lighting, or lit from below look unnatural. Since the light is perceived slightly differently by both individual eyes and then combined for the final mental image, closing one eye does in fact reduce the input and will actually change the mental image of a coin, albeit ever-so-slightly that you may not notice.
One thing that I did discover when learning to photograph coins is that having a light source at 10 and 2 o'clock will yield the most accurate representation of the coin on film. This is because those light positions mimic what the eyes see when they are both open. If you think about it, this makes sense. The 10 o'clock light provides the lighting that is representative of what the left eye sees. The 2 o'clock light gives the right eye info. Combined, it looks natural, and most like holding the coin in hand under a single light.
I hope this helps. >>
Hate to tell you this but you're kidding yourself if you're thinking you're seeing the coin through the loupe with both eyes. You may indeed have both eyes open while holding the loupe midway between your eyes and the coin, but you're seeing the coin with your dominant eye, and you're not seeing it with the other eye. Demonstrate that for yourself by zeroing-in on the coin as such with both eyes open, then closing one eye, then opening it, and closing the other eye. That will show you which your dominant eye is. Try it, see it for yourself. Just keep your head still.
<< <i>I've used a telescope for years, and keep both eyes open while viewing with it as well. The generally accepted notion is that it prevents eye fatigue. Whether this applies when using a loupe or not I don't know, but it seems to make sense when viewing large numbers of coins. >>
absolutely, what I have always been taught and do.
Be it telescope, microscope or loupe......
"“Those who sacrifice liberty for security/safety deserve neither.“(Benjamin Franklin)
"I only golf on days that end in 'Y'" (DE59)
Bear- I have bought many coins that way! lol
Proud recipient of two "You Suck" awards
a lot of trouble learning this ability and there are individual differences and exceptions. It's
best to try learning it with two eyes. With many things the advantage isn't that great so
go with what works for you.
Ron
Actually with left eye closed and right eye open about equal distance from glass to coin.