Loupe questions

D · January 22, 2014 7:45AM

What sort of loupe do you use by preference?

What strength?

Favorite brands?

Are there any brands that you've used that would not receive a positive review?

What sort of power does a professional grader use? (I don't necessarily mean a PCGS-salary employee, only someone with a reputation as an accurate grader)

-D

keyman64 · January 22, 2014 7:54AM

I use a 10x/20x combo loupe that I really like. It was pretty cheap. The labels have worn off of it now so I do not even know what cheap off-brand it is... if you search eBay for "10x/20x loupe" very similar ones will show up.

They are not all created equally though! I have cheap 10x that is garbage and I have a 30x w/LED lights that is garbage as well...you have to hold it so far away from the item it is really a 10x at best.

lostincoins · January 22, 2014 7:58AM

this is what I use it has glass lenses with all metal construction and had a good working distance.

JJSingleton · January 22, 2014 8:07AM

I cannot emphasize how important a good loupe is. I swear by a Zeise 3x6x9. Not cheap, but for me I cannot live without it.

Broadstruck · January 22, 2014 8:08AM

Worth every penny and the only loupe you'll ever need.

rmpsrpms · January 22, 2014 8:10AM

I use enlarging lenses as loupes. A Nikon 50mm f2.8 gives about 7x magnification and better quality than ANY standard loupe. You can get them cheap on ebay.

TomB · January 22, 2014 8:15AM

A 5X B&L for most everything, but a 10X Zeiss if I really want to examine something.

Cameonut · January 22, 2014 8:17AM

My advice: Do not waste your money on a cheap loupe. I have several in my desk drawer that didn't get the job done.

My preference: The Eschenbach 3+6=9 Achromat - I use the 6x most of the time (3x rarely) and 9x for varieties. Fits your hand nicely.

A close second place is the Zeiss D90 (also 3x plus 6x lenses for 9x total) only because it doesn't have a handy way to attach to a lanyard. Optically I can't tell the difference between the two.

Both loupes have saved me tons of money by letting me "see" things I didn't see with lesser optics and smaller field of vision.

Edited to add: I often use the 3x lens to look at dealers coins thru the glass of their cases. Very handy.

morbidsteve · January 22, 2014 8:24AM

<< My advice: Do not waste your money on a cheap loupe. I have several in my desk drawer that didn't get the job done.

My preference: The Eschenbach 3+6=9 Achromat - I use the 6x most of the time (3x rarely) and 9x for varieties. Fits your hand nicely.

A close second place is the Zeiss D90 (also 3x plus 6x lenses for 9x total) only because it doesn't have a handy way to attach to a lanyard. Optically I can't tell the difference between the two.

Both loupes have saved me tons of money by letting me "see" things I didn't see with lesser optics and smaller field of vision. >>

I second the point about not wasting money on a cheap loupe. I did so on some cheap loupes and they sucked. I got a B&L hastings triplett 10x and it's so much better. The glass is cut to make it so anywhere you look through it is clear, not distored (which is what you'll get on cheapos). It's also extremely clear glass.

Steve

AMRC · January 22, 2014 8:29AM

6X or 7X Max, beyond that stability is a real issue and negates much value of the higher zoom. Save the stuff that needs higher magnification for the stereoscope.

lostincoins · January 22, 2014 8:46AM

The loupe I posted has 3 glass lenses no edge distortion and is very clear. I have compared this to many others and still use this one. When I got it it had a ring of leds on the back but I brok that, it was very helpful

I have had guys in the B&Ms even as to buy it lol...

golden · January 22, 2014 8:53AM

I forgot to unload and mine went through the wash last night.

oreville · January 22, 2014 9:01AM

Eschenbach

I really like their 5x the best and the rest for detailed examination of anything more specific does not really matter what I use.

CoinCast · January 22, 2014 9:32AM

<< Worth every penny and the only loupe you'll ever need.

>>

Just got one of these for Christmas and it is very nice. I used to use a 7x Bausch and Lomb Hastings, but the field of view is way nicer on the 5x.

I also have a 20x Bausch and Lomb, that I use for tiny things like mint marks

BryceM · January 22, 2014 9:36AM

<< Worth every penny and the only loupe you'll ever need.

>>

+1

LotsoLuck · January 22, 2014 9:51AM

5x Yep, that's my custom tape job.

phnatacc · January 22, 2014 9:56AM

My favorite.

highwayman1 · January 22, 2014 11:44AM

<< Are there any brands that you've used that would not receive a positive review?

What sort of power does a professional grader use? (I don't necessarily mean a PCGS-salary employee, only someone with a reputation as an accurate grader)

-D >>

First some advice: if you plan on using it for any considerable amount of time, don't get a cheap loupe. Get a real, professional quality loupe. I've known people who've lost thier eyesight using $10 loupes or very high power loupes for years. Next, you only want to use a 10x in most cases. Most of the time you won't be using a loupe when grading other than to check surfaces, mint marks, etc. and for that a 10x is the one size fits all for the vast majority of dealers, graders, and professional numismatists. Finally, do not use an LED loupe. This can cause permanent vision damage since some of the LED loupes I've seen use LED's that have UV light in their spectrum. They often appear blue tinted. A simple 60w or 100w incandescent light bulb is all you need to grade.

I wouldn't buy a B&L product again, as my hastings triplet fell apart and now lives on a string. They are also way too small and are easily lost.

If you want a very high quality loupe that is under $50, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Belomo's 10x. It, too, fell apart after a few years but the optics on my 10x I bought in 2008-09 are just so high quality that I can't help but recommend them. The optics on my old Belomo 10x seemed better than on the Zeiss D36's I've used.

If you are a grader, do varieties, or spend hours looking through your loupe everyday, you might want to consider a professional diamond loupe like Eschenbach, Schneider, Triplet Hawk or Zeiss D40 - the last two probably being the best.

stealer · January 22, 2014 12:01PM

<< What sort of power does a professional grader use? (I don't necessarily mean a PCGS-salary employee, only someone with a reputation as an accurate grader) >>

I can't say for the latter part of the question, but I know that most PCGS graders don't use a loupe for anything larger than a 3cs.

Coinflip · January 22, 2014 12:06PM

this little cheap b&l 5xto20x triplet is interchangable n so versatle you can do anything with it
The led helps when lighting is inadequate.

I have been needing a high quality Eschen or a Z but I just cant find anything so quality that is so versatle. Probaby going to have to go with a true Eschen 10x double/triple and use another loupe for mintmarks n detail, as the triplets arent clear like a one piece. The achromat would come close but , just is missing something and again is a triple so not as good as it can get and if u need a good rpm view, forget it

mrearlygold · January 22, 2014 12:09PM

My fav's ( By Far ) are still the illuminated Eschenbachs. Mostly use the 10x but also find uses for the larger diameter 5x as well. I've got a bunch of them both the older style and the newer style. I am not particularly fond of the newer style because of the way Eschenbach re-designed the lense cover. In the old style the lense cover was hard plastic and could be operated with one hand. Not so with the new version which is a soft vinyl-like material that is chinsy and needs 2 hands to operate it so the tendency is to keep the lense uncovered. I used to vigorously promote the old version. While I still like even the new version because there isn't anything that really competes with it, I have to say that if an eschenbach quality could be found in the same design as the old version, I'd jump ship.

In the meantime when you find a good thing, stock up !

If you see these anywhere buy them! If you don't want them sell them to me! I'll buy them for gifts but I do not want the new version.

The larger diameter is the 5X and the smaller is 10X

D · January 22, 2014 12:42PM

Thank you everyone for the clear responses! I had previously bought a cheap one and I've recently lost it; I never felt very good about my cheap loupe.

-D

Walkerfan · January 22, 2014 12:52PM

My trusty JSP 10X doublet.

LanceNewmanOCC · January 22, 2014 12:57PM

.
Zeiss Optics D36 (3x+6x=9x) Aplanatic Achromatic Pocket Magnifier

.

highwayman1 · January 22, 2014 1:07PM

<< My trusty JSP 10X doublet. >>

These loupes are sold under countless names, $10 coin shop/show specials. Invest a few more dollars and at least buy a Belomo, they work better than loupes that cost $100+ more than they do and many professionals swear by them. At $40 a pop, you can't go wrong.

Coinflip · January 22, 2014 1:19PM

Whats,a good zeiss one piece

Walkerfan · January 22, 2014 1:32PM

<< 

<< My trusty JSP 10X doublet. >>

These loupes are sold under countless names, $10 coin shop/show specials. Invest a few more dollars and at least buy a Belomo, they work better than loupes that cost $100+ more than they do and many professionals swear by them. At $40 a pop, you can't go wrong. >>

I didn't know this----thanks for the info. I like the JSP that I have, b/c the frame is steel instead of plastic. It has always worked well for me, even though I only paid about 10 bucks for it.

LanceNewmanOCC · January 22, 2014 1:34PM

<< Whats,a good zeiss one piece >>

numerous choices.

if you don't mind doing some research and spending some money for quality items, here are some links for you i have bookmarked.

link 1
link 2
link 3
link 4
link 5

those should get you off to a good start.

i'm not against bausch & lomb or any of the other top optic companies (i can't recall their name just now), i'm just more familiar with zeiss and know they work well.
.

lkeigwin · January 22, 2014 1:46PM

<< 

<< Worth every penny and the only loupe you'll ever need.

>>

+1 >>

+2
Lance.

Swampboy · January 22, 2014 1:53PM

<< 

<< 

<< Worth every penny and the only loupe you'll ever need.

>>

+1 >>

+2
Lance. >>

Just ordered one from rockin' Wizard Supply.

< $100 w/shp.

rmpsrpms · January 22, 2014 2:49PM

Loupes come in single achromats, doublets, or triplets, in order of improving color correction and reduced distortion. Enlarging lenses start at triplets, with better ones having 6 elements, so are far better corrected for all types of aberrations. I highly recommend picking up a cheap enlarging lens to use as a loupe...I guarantee you won't go back. Here is an example:

Cheap 50mm f3.5

This lens will cost you $7.50 including shipping and will blow away any Zeiss, Belomo, Eschenbach, B&L, whatever loupe that you put it up against.

This one is $9.76 shipped:

Another 50mm f3.5

Here's a Nikon for $16.40 shipped

Nikon 50mm f4

PerryHall · January 22, 2014 4:52PM

I have both an Eschenbach 3+6=9 and an Zeiss 3+6=9. They are both similar in quality and price. I usually use the Zeiss because I find that it's more comfortable to hold. Of course, I also have several less expensive loupes and magnifiers.

291fifth · January 22, 2014 6:07PM

For grading, my favorite is the Eschenbach #1177 5x, which many others have mentioned.

I also have 7x, 10x, 14x and 20x Hastings Triplets. I probably don't need all of them but I bought them many years back and still find them useful for specialized purposes.

ricko · January 23, 2014 12:21AM

Zeiss 3x6x9..... awesome quality glass..... Eschenbach is good as well.... Cheers, RickO

Newmismatist · January 23, 2014 12:55AM

<< What sort of loupe do you use by preference?

What strength?

Favorite brands? -D >>

My favorite is the Eschenbach 3x6x9 Loupe- three magnifications 3x, 6x & 9x - this is similar to the Zeiss that someone else mentioned, but it has a little hole in the body to attach a lanyard so you can wear it around your neck and NOT lose it - a great plus, as I have lost my Zeiss loupe and these puppies are expensive to buy - but if you collect expensive coins, you will save thousands when you find things that you would not otherwise see. I highly recommend this loupe.

ColonelJessup · January 23, 2014 1:39AM

<< 

<< What sort of power does a professional grader use? (I don't necessarily mean a PCGS-salary employee, only someone with a reputation as an accurate grader) >>

I can't say for the latter part of the question, but I know that most PCGS graders don't use a loupe for anything larger than a 3cs. >>

The vast majority of great graders are near-sighted. So I've used the Eschenbach 5X for the last 30 years.. .

OldIndianNutKase · January 23, 2014 5:39AM

I have three:

ATCO 2-1/2X - 5X Loupe: I have had this loupe about 50 years. Love the size (35mm), especially for larger coins, but glass is showing 50 years of abuse

Zeiss 3X+6X = 9X Loupe: Recently purchased this loupe for greater magnification and to replace the ATCO. Very pleased with it. (22mm)

B&L Hastings 10X: A waste of time for anything much larger than a mint mark. (10mm)

The Eschenbach 5X is an excellent choice with a 30 mm lens.

Broadstruck · January 23, 2014 7:02AM

<< 

<< 

<< 

<< Worth every penny and the only loupe you'll ever need.

>>

+1 >>

+2
Lance. >>

Just ordered one from rockin' Wizard Supply.

< $100 w/shp. >>

Swampboy, Please report back with your thoughts as it should be a real eye opener!

bigmarty58 · January 23, 2014 8:12AM

D,

I use a Eschenback 6x loop, not cheap, but well worth the price.

-Bob

FredWeinberg · January 23, 2014 8:25AM

There was a guy at the FUN show
stopping at all the dealer's tables
and offering a magnifying glass
for $500 - yes you read me right.

I was impressed with it, but not
a $400-premium impressed.

Most of the magnifying glasses I
have are made by Kochoptik, which I bought
in Switzerland - but it's a German company......

cmerlo1 · January 23, 2014 8:44AM

I use an Eschenbach 12x for cherrypicking, and a Bausch & Lomb 5x for grading.

Coinflip · February 4, 2014 2:22PM

Anyone know the diference in these two pieces besides the price point?

Eschenbach - 10X Achromatic Loupe Magnifier
$239.00

Eschenbach - 10X Aplanatic Loupe Magnifier $129.80

LanceNewmanOCC · February 4, 2014 3:11PM

<< Anyone know the diference in these two pieces besides the price point?

Eschenbach - 10X Achromatic Loupe Magnifier
$239.00

Eschenbach - 10X Aplanatic Loupe Magnifier $129.80 >>

1 and the most important to me, lens diameter.

with achromatic allowing for a full range of the visible spectrum and aplanatic being free of imperfections aka spherical aberrations that would alter full smooth spectral viewing, both should be used with this cost of these loupes.

it seems the more valuable as advertised is the one "claiming" to have the best spectral viewing potential that does not allow for one part of the visible spectrum from another being prominent.

that's my take anyway.

my 3x6x9 zeiss is advertised as aplanatic, the type of the cheaper of the 2 as advertised above. now i wonder if i need to test an achromatic?
.

CoinZip · February 5, 2014 12:38AM

my loupe is a Samsung Tablet, its really cool to look at a dealers coins inside their locked show cases at a show.

rmpsrpms · February 5, 2014 12:43AM

That's pretty cool. Is that the lowest mag the scope can go?

lcoopie · February 5, 2014 2:02AM

I got out my The Eschenbach 3+6=9 Achromat

I forgot I had it, LOL

I have to use the 3x more

it gives you a larger view and very clear

breakdown · February 5, 2014 2:39AM

Eschenbach Mobilent 5x. You can get one for $50 -- good for butterfingers like mine (easy to open or hold or close). Also have Zeiss 10X if I really need more power but very rarely use it.

johnny9434 · February 5, 2014 2:43AM

<< I use a cheap 10x from HE Harris and Co., works well enough. >>

i use a doublet as well 10x just like mr. fade's, wide angle

Branchmint · February 5, 2014 3:24AM

Be sure to shop around, especially on the Eschenbach loupes. I wound up buying my 3x 6x 9x at National Jewelers Supplies for $119.95. You can find them all over the board all the way up to about twice that price.

LanceNewmanOCC · March 4, 2018 7:47PM

.
an old but useful thread about optics.

i'm still hunting for a zeiss 3x6x9 under $100 and it ain't easy.

there are a couple others mentioned here with links i'd like to try as oppose to the $120+ 3x6x9 but i have not the access to anyone with the loupes i'd like to try mentioned here.
.

Loupe questions

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