Loupe Suggestion?
cgcmgr
Posts: 116 ✭✭
Hey Guys,
Looking into purchasing a loupe to check out my cards before I submit them. Can anyone suggest a good one? What magnifying power should I be looking at? I read about loupes with measurement marking on them, is that the way to go?
Thanks,
Chris
Looking into purchasing a loupe to check out my cards before I submit them. Can anyone suggest a good one? What magnifying power should I be looking at? I read about loupes with measurement marking on them, is that the way to go?
Thanks,
Chris
Love '83 Topps. Looking to put together a PSA 10 set.
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Loupe
Because they are so cheap, I keep one at home, one in the car, and one with the show stuff. You never know when you might need one.
I wrote something about 10 years ago:
<< <i>I am going to report on some of the different magnifiers that I have purchased over the past few months.
The first one I will discuss is the linen tester. I purchased it in both ½ and 1 inch square area. When you look thru the opening, you will see the measurement marks along the borders of the square – this is very useful in determining centering.
1. Selsi 8X linen tester with an optically ground and polished 1/2" x 1/2" lens. Black lacquered aluminum alloy frame. Unit folds up and fits in its own vinyl pouch. Measurements are in 1/32 of an inch and 1/8 of an inch. $11.
2. Selsi 8X black plastic frame linen tester with a 3/4" x 3/4" lens. Gives measurements in 1/16 of an inch and millimeters. 5$.
3. Selsi 6X black finish aluminum alloy linen tester, with a 1" x 1" lens opening, for clear and sharp definition. Frame folds flat for carrying in pocket and comes with a protective vinyl-carrying pouch with a Velcro latch. Measurements are in 1/8 of an inch and millimeters. $11.
Considering the fact that the unit is collapsible, it can be used both as a hand held magnifier and when fully opened, it can be laid on a 'protected' card and is extremely accurate in measuring/comparing borders for determining centering. I found the larger 1" size to be easier to work with in general.
Please PM me with any questions - the items I will be discussing can be purchased from a bunch of sources - I purchased from Jake's Coins.
I realized not too many are that interested and I wasn't finished with all the mags I picked up to check.
I don't use a loupe that much since I don't really look at cards that closely.
What do I need it for?
Determining if a lithographic style of print is really vintage.
Under 10X or great, print dots look entirely different in chromolithograph and photoengraving vs modern offset printing.
Just looking for something to take a good look at corners and surface of a card
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The key question would be "what power lens do the graders at PSA use when viewing cards?" That to me would be important to know. Cards under 5x are different than 10x, and if they used 10x a collector should as well.
Btw - does anyone know what power PSA's graders use when looking at cards?
I use a lighted magnifier that I bought from harbor freight for corners.
I believe psa uses a black light to detect recoloring
1948-76 Topps FB Sets
FB & BB HOF Player sets
1948-1993 NY Yankee Team Sets
<< <i>PSA doesn't use anything just naked eye. >>
Seriously? I had no idea they didn't view under magnification.
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<< <i>PSA doesn't use anything just naked eye.
I use a lighted magnifier that I bought from harbor freight for corners.
I believe psa uses a black light to detect recoloring[/qty
Thank you and hard to believe they just use the naked eye versus a loupe. With the 10x sometimes I see too much
<< <i>I don't know about the real fancy ones, but I use a 10x LumiLoupe made by Carson. Works great. >>
I use this same one.
Naked eye should suffice as long as you know what you're looking for and more importantly, NOT looking for... Over-thinking and trying to out-guess the grader is one of the most common causes of inferior grades. That, and not really knowing what to look for.
Even many seasoned collectors don't really have the "eye" for grading and will sub and then complain about others getting preferential treatment.
Why do some consistently get good grades? Why do others fail and post complaints and accusations?
Learn how to examine a card and review it objectively. Don't hope that something will slide by the graders. Don't expect it to be a MINT card if it has flaws just because you want it to be or because you can't see a flaw in the loupe if you hold it a certain way...
<< <i>I have said it before, a loupe is a great tool to have for many purposes, but if it is being used to determine what your submitting, you're probably doing it wrong.
Naked eye should suffice as long as you know what you're looking for and more importantly, NOT looking for... Over-thinking and trying to out-guess the grader is one of the most common causes of inferior grades. That, and not really knowing what to look for.
Even many seasoned collectors don't really have the "eye" for grading and will sub and then complain about others getting preferential treatment.
Why do some consistently get good grades? Why do others fail and post complaints and accusations?
Learn how to examine a card and review it objectively. Don't hope that something will slide by the graders. Don't expect it to be a MINT card if it has flaws just because you want it to be or because you can't see a flaw in the loupe if you hold it a certain way... >>
Excellent advice that all should adhere to when collecting. In your opinion what are the main areas where collectors don't evaluate their cards correctly when submitting them? Corners, edges, centering, creases or other defects or is it simply not being objective when looking at ones own cards? Guess it is a lot like people with their kids and nobody ever thinks their kid is ugly or dumb?
my 8X Reflecta - an item made for examining photographs - has provided me with additional confidence that otherwise would not have existed. it's the only one i've ever used for cards.
corners for sure deserve a look under magnification. there are flaws which can't always be detected by the naked eye. there are also surface issues, like bent edges, which become more apparent as well.
while the overall process does rely heavily on simple visual inspection......and common sense, the loupe is an invaluable wingman to me.
recommended.
My guess is that most people fail to look at the corners and the surface properly. The most commonly overlooked aspect, at least in my experiences, is the spider wrinkle and the light back crease.
One of my favorites was a guy that ended up getting VG to EX on most of his cards and it was determined that he was putting a tiny back crease on each one while putting them (forcing them) into the CardSaver...
There's little that I can say or demonstrate that will be taken to heart. Those that think they know it all, already know it all. I've posted some tips and hints over the years and have had some question my methods. While I may be getting older, I think I'll let the results speak for themselves...
Edited: Tuesday January 06, 2015 at 10:44 PM by itzagoner