Help with a magnifier please

Tradernik · September 3, 2017 1:22AM

Made a mistake I don't usually make - went with an Amazon cheapo 'loupe'. It was advertised as 15x. What showed up says 4x-20x. It's not adjustable though. Viewing a Buffalo nickel in a holder is...pretty bad. Strangely, the best result I can get is to wear my reading glasses and close one eye, then hold the magnifier about 6" from my eye, and the coin about 4" past that.

I'm old enough to need reading glasses.

So Google tells me the Hastings Triplet is what the pros use. At $132 CDN it's more than I want to spend but I'll get it if you tell me the clarity is unmatched. There's another brand called Lighthouse which is $70. The Hastings looks like it's a one-eye-closed device?

One blog I read says that the max I should go for is 7x? Really? Also, should I be getting something with a few different magnification settings? Any help is appreciated.

PerryHall · September 3, 2017 3:19AM

Have you tried your magnifier/loupe without your glasses on? I wear glasses and I take them off when using a magnifier. Also, higher powered magnifiers are normally held closer to the eye and the object being examined. In the over $100 range, the Zeiss 36D (3X+6X=9X) is an excellent choice with the Eschenbach magnifier being a very close second. I have both but prefer the Zeiss because it's more comfortable for me to hold. For less money, the Bausch and Lomb magnifiers are excellent quality. They make several models. A 5X or 7X is good for general examination of coins with the 10X being the minimum for coin authentication and the examination of mint marks for varieties. In addition to the coin collecting supply companies such as Wizard Coin Supply, Amazon and eBay sell magnifiers with eBay sometimes having the expensive models in used condition sharply discounted from their new price. Let us know what you decide on buying.

Tradernik · September 3, 2017 3:55AM

PerryHall, thanks for the reply. I tried without my glasses just now. It's sort of the same. The best result is still squinting with one eye closed. With both eyes open the image is sort of doubled.

I see the Hastings Triplet is a B & L product. The Zeiss is going to be $200 up here in Canada. That's a good tip about buying used on eBay, I'll check that out today. What I should probably do is go down to my LCS and try a few.

EDIT: Yes, way better deals on the B & L Hastings Triplet models at eBay, even with shipping factored in. I guess there are still some corners of the universe where Amazon doesn't rule. Thanks!

ambro51 · September 3, 2017 4:15AM

Go to www.surplusshed.com they sell Lenses and have triplets for $12.

MrHalfDime · September 3, 2017 4:22AM

@PerryHall said:
Have you tried your magnifier/loupe without your glasses on? I wear glasses and I take them off when using a magnifier. Also, higher powered magnifiers are normally held closer to the eye and the object being examined. In the over $100 range, the Zeiss 36D (3X+6X=9X) is an excellent choice with the Eschenbach magnifier being a very close second. I have both but prefer the Zeiss because it's more comfortable for me to hold. For less money, the Bausch and Lomb magnifiers are excellent quality. They make several models. A 5X or 7X is good for general examination of coins with the 10X being the minimum for coin authentication and the examination of mint marks for varieties. In addition to the coin collecting supply companies such as Wizard Coin Supply, Amazon and eBay sell magnifiers with eBay sometimes having the expensive models in used condition sharply discounted from their new price. Let us know what you decide on buying.

I would be hard pressed to add anything substantive to the above, except to say that once you try the Zeiss magnifier you will be completely sold. I would also recommend adding a neck lanyard to your new Zeiss so it will stay with you at shows; they have a tendency to grow legs if left sitting at a dealer's table.

Cameonut · September 3, 2017 4:46AM

I highly recommend the Zeiss D36 as mentioned above. Paid for itself many times over because you "find" things like hairlines etc.

Eschenbach also makes an Acromat 3+6=9 that I cannot differentiate optically from the Zeiss. Both have wide fields of view.

I use the Eschenbach most often for two reasons. 1) it "feels" better in my hand and 2) It has a ring to hook to a lanyard.

Either of these loupes are over $100 - you don't want to lose it so I recommend a lanyard.

astrorat · September 3, 2017 5:31AM

You will find an investment in a good magnifier is like buying a good coin reference book, both will be important as you advance as a collector.

I have tried many different loupes through the years and you can't go wrong with Zeiss, Eschenbach, or Bausch and Lomb. The choice you make will depend greatly on how each feels performs for your needs. Each will be high quality.

I like the Eschenbach 7x single lens, but I do not believe those are made any more.

No matter which magnifier I try, I gravitate back to the Bausch and Lomb Hastings triplet. [Hastings triplet refers to how the glass is bonded and is not a brand]. The B&L Hastings triplet loupe provides excellent light transmission, color, and edge-to-edge distortion-free viewing.

IF you need magnification for grading, then the 7x B&L Hastings triplet is ideal. The 14x version is good for varieties. Two great sources for B&L Hastings triplets are:

Optics Planet
opticsplanet.com/bausch-lomb-triplet-magnifiers.html

and Amazon
https://amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=bausch+and+lomb+hastings+triplet&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Abausch+and+lomb+hastings+triplet

Good luck on this important purchase.

The link below is for one of our local coin club newsletters for which I wrote a brief on magnifiers (page 4).
http://www.tylercoinclub.org/newsletters/Your_Two_Cents_Worth_092015.pdf

ricko · September 3, 2017 5:56AM

My preference is the Zeiss 3x6x9x....It is superb quality and with a lanyard, will last a lifetime. I always carried mine at shows....clarity and field are excellent. As you can see above, I agree with most of the others. Cheers, RickO

ldhair · September 3, 2017 6:39AM

I fell in love with this one. Best thing I ever did for my eyes.

silverpop · September 3, 2017 6:48AM

i use a H.E Harris and Co. 16x mag to look at my coins
you can use this mag with glasses and still see whatever you are looking at clear

Walkerguy21D · September 3, 2017 7:06AM

Love my Eschenbach 5X to look for minor hairlines, defects, etc. Should have purchased it and learned how to use it years ago. I bought it used on the BST 6-7 years ago for ~$75 and it paid for itself MANY times over.

Yes, get a lanyard or some other way to hold onto it.....I won't go into to details, but as MrHalfDime stated, they have a tendency to grow legs. I had to ask one dealer to give it back to me, as I saw him casually pick up it, use it to study a coin of the several I was inspecting at his table, and put it on his lap....and this was a major dealer at a FUN show.

ldhair · September 3, 2017 7:25AM

I got to the Fun show a few years back and forgot my glass. I could buy one at the show for about 3 times what it should sell for. I'll never make that mistake again.

PQueue · September 3, 2017 7:39AM

Buy the best...Eschenbach Acromat 3+6=9

Insider2 · September 3, 2017 8:10AM

@Tradernik

All good suggestions. What you also need to consider is this - lighting, power, and use of a magnifier.

I own over a dozen different hand lenses (I guess I may be a collector) from 4X-20X both combo's and single lens types. I also have five stereo microscopes, three I use on a regular basis. I bring this up as one instructor told his authentication class that the best, hand lens or stereo microscope is useless without light or if you do not know what you are looking at!

You do not need a $150 hand lens if you have experience. Generally, you don't need an expensive glass if you are dealing with circulated coins worth less than $20 each. So first you'll need to tell us what you wish to use your magnifier on. If you are a beginner, you can buy a very nice glass for less than $30 and grow into a higher price item or many different lenses. Do you spend over $1000 a year on coins?

IMO, a 5X-7X is a good starting lens. Take your glasses off and hold the lens next to your eye. Bring the coin up close to the lens until it is in focus. There should be plenty of information on the Internet on how to examine a coin properly.

You need light to see a coin. The more powerful the lens the smaller the field of view and the less light it lets in. If you are a beginner, don't purchase anything over 10X at first. Please keep this to yourself. In my experience over the years, many of the collectors and dealers walking around with $135 magnifiers don't know what they are doing! They should have spent the money on a better numismatic education. Just because they make money selling coins does not make "numismatically educated."

IHO, the all around best ever made hand lens for anyone from beginner to expert grader WAS the B&L 3X-4X-7X combo with a plastic lens. They are not made anymore; however, the internet has clones for sale. I recommend you start with this one. They are inexpensive and I use one daily to examine coins. Decades ago, while they were still made they were given out along with the ANA Grading guide at some grading seminars.

Now tell us what you wish to do with the hand lens.

ambro51 · September 3, 2017 8:50AM

Only $6! http://www.surplusshed.com/pages/item/l3275.html They also have two other triplets that are great magnifiers. During my gold dollar period I used their 10x Hastings (25$).

Insider2 · September 3, 2017 9:38AM

Thanks for your opinion. Mine: Terrible choice!

ldhair · September 3, 2017 10:05AM

The quality of the glass/lens is the important thing. Do your eyes a favor.

Tradernik · September 3, 2017 12:45PM

Wow, thanks so much for the detailed responses. I'm usually the guy who will spend the extra to get quality stuff when it comes to gear. I've spent over $200 on coin books without even thinking about it. Clearly a quality magnifier is a good investment. I have to run but will respond late tonight.

I have a feeling that when I look through the Zeiss or the Eschenbach, it'll be a good feeling. This Amazon thing is a toy.

Rich49 · September 3, 2017 5:21PM

I have used this one for 5 bucks for many years.It folds flat. 8X With or without glasses on works good.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/8x-Magnifier-Loupe-Three-Folding-Type-Linen-Tester-Magnifying-Glass-LED-Light-/282440848278?epid=1131504140&hash=:g:VVsAAOSwJ4hY-WWv

TPRC · September 3, 2017 5:50PM

My coin dealer bought a collection recently and it had some loupes in it and I tried them out. I liked them so much, I tried to buy them and when he said he wanted to keep them at the shop, I bought them on line. Kassoy is the name and you can google them. I bought a 10x and a 20x for about $20 each. Shipping was $10, but I just liked the feel of them and I thought they had a pretty large view range for such high power loupes, without much distortion. I have nothing to do with the company, and I know loupe choices are very personal, but I thought they were high quality for the price.

I also have an Eschenbach, a Bauch and Lomb (my go to loupe in 7x), and a Zeiss in 10x. I don't care for the Eschenbach.

Insider2 · September 3, 2017 6:23PM

Hey thanks for the post. I just learned something. When I was growing up, a loupe was placed into the eye-socket and used by jewelers and watchmakers. Today it can be a folding hand lens.

Rich49 · September 3, 2017 6:54PM

Most of the time I use it unfolded flat.I have also held it up to my camera lens for close up shots.

Tradernik · September 3, 2017 11:54PM

@astrorat said:
You will find an investment in a good magnifier is like buying a good coin reference book, both will be important as you advance as a collector.

I have tried many different loupes through the years and you can't go wrong with Zeiss, Eschenbach, or Bausch and Lomb. The choice you make will depend greatly on how each feels performs for your needs. Each will be high quality.

Many thanks for an informative response. I read through the piece you write on magnifiers. I was wondering why a Bausch & Lomb product would have what appeared to be another trade name associated with it.

Most interesting was the question 'If you need magnification for grading' and the quote from your article which points out that many pro graders don't use magnification until they see something that they need to magnify! I had just assumed that it's necessary for grading. It was a shock to me when I received my first ever coin purchase a couple of months back - two Buffalo nickels. Online pictures are so huge and close up and detailed... the coins arrived in holders and they seemed so small! Anyway, for me it helps to have a magnifier to look at them. Bigger coins will probably be a different story. I'm a total new grader.

Tradernik · September 4, 2017 12:05AM

Again, thanks for all the responses. Seems like Zeiss and Eschenbach are the clear favorites. I need to try them out. I'll go down to Canadian Coin & Currency which I thin kis the biggest place in Toronto. I could just order them all through Amazon and return what I don't like but that always seems sort of unfair, plus why not support my LCS.

Interesting how many of you specifically mentioned the lanyard, and the fact that these things can tend to walk away. Like this story. Wow.

@Walkerguy21D said:
I had to ask one dealer to give it back to me, as I saw him casually pick up it, use it to study a coin of the several I was >inspecting at his table, and put it on his lap....and this was a major dealer at a FUN show.

Tradernik · September 4, 2017 12:06AM

Again, thanks for all the responses. Seems like Zeiss and Eschenbach are the clear favorites. I need to try them out. I'll go down to Canadian Coin & Currency which I thin kis the biggest place in Toronto. I could just order them all through Amazon and return what I don't like but that always seems sort of unfair, plus why not support my LCS.

Interesting how many of you specifically mentioned the lanyard, and the fact that these things can tend to walk away. Like this story. Wow.

@Walkerguy21D said:
Love my Eschenbach 5X to look for minor hairlines, defects, etc. Should have purchased it and learned how to use it years ago. I bought it used on the BST 6-7 years ago for ~$75 and it paid for itself MANY times over.

Yes, get a lanyard or some other way to hold onto it.....I won't go into to details, but as MrHalfDime stated, they have a tendency to grow legs. I had to ask one dealer to give it back to me, as I saw him casually pick up it, use it to study a coin of the several I was inspecting at his table, and put it on his lap....and this was a major dealer at a FUN show.

keets · September 4, 2017 3:15AM

you should search the internet for the best price you can find on the Eschenbach 3x6x9 that Larry pictured above, then just swallow hard and buy it. if my experience counts for anything the loupe will easily pay for itself over the years and you will be glad you bought it. the clarity is unmatched.

whatever you decide to do, please be nice to yourself and don't be CHEAP when buying what may be your best Numismatic tool. if you buy a $12 loupe you won't realize you have wasted your money.

DCW · September 4, 2017 8:02PM

@ldhair said:
I fell in love with this one. Best thing I ever did for my eyes.

I agree. Buying a nice loupe to look at your treasures just makes sense. I mean, when it comes down to it, viewing your coins with absolute clarity should be every numismatist's #1 priority.
This glass has been my best purchase in the hobby.

Washingtoniana · September 4, 2017 9:26PM

The Eschenbach 3-6-9 is a great magnifier. What you can't see from the pictures is that it's a little bigger than the Hastings. I also have an Eschenbach 10x, which I like almost as much. Otto Frei has the 10x on sale now for $57.15 - 5% for your first order. ottofrei.com/Eschenbach-1182-10-10X-Aplanatic-Triplet-Loupe

Tradernik · September 4, 2017 11:10PM

@Washingtoniana said:
The Eschenbach 3-6-9 is a great magnifier. What you can't see from the pictures is that it's a little bigger than the Hastings. I also have an Eschenbach 10x, which I like almost as much. Otto Frei has the 10x on sale now for $57.15 - 5% for your first order. ottofrei.com/Eschenbach-1182-10-10X-Aplanatic-Triplet-Loupe

Great, thanks! I checked and it's a reasonable $9 for shipping to Canada. I just have to get straight in my head the difference between the 3+6=9 and the 10x. It's probably been explained somewhere in the numerous responses above, I'll have a look now. I assume that the 10x is a single lens while the 3x+6x is the double lens setup, thus the difference in price.

As an aside, I'm encouraged to see that sellers like Otto Frei can make these available for prices that compete with Amazon/eBay sellers. In fact the price beats any eBay seller that I could see, and this loupe is apparently not available on Amazon.

PerryHall · September 5, 2017 3:28AM

@Tradernik said:

@Washingtoniana said:
The Eschenbach 3-6-9 is a great magnifier. What you can't see from the pictures is that it's a little bigger than the Hastings. I also have an Eschenbach 10x, which I like almost as much. Otto Frei has the 10x on sale now for $57.15 - 5% for your first order. ottofrei.com/Eschenbach-1182-10-10X-Aplanatic-Triplet-Loupe

Great, thanks! I checked and it's a reasonable $9 for shipping to Canada. I just have to get straight in my head the difference between the 3+6=9 and the 10x. It's probably been explained somewhere in the numerous responses above, I'll have a look now. I assume that the 10x is a single lens while the 3x+6x is the double lens setup, thus the difference in price.

As an aside, I'm encouraged to see that sellers like Otto Frei can make these available for prices that compete with Amazon/eBay sellers. In fact the price beats any eBay seller that I could see, and this loupe is apparently not available on Amazon.

The 3X+6X=9X models of the Zeiss and Eschenbach loups are more versatile than the 10X since they have three choices of magnification although they are more expensive than the 10X which have only a single magnification.

Cameonut · September 5, 2017 5:45AM

@PerryHall said:

The 3X+6X=9X models of the Zeiss and Eschenbach loups are more versatile than the 10X since they have three choices of magnification although they are more expensive than the 10X which have only a single magnification.

For example, I use the 3x for quickly looking at coins thru the closed glass on dealer display cases. I can cover a lot more ground that way.

ambro51 · September 5, 2017 6:51AM

As I got older, my eyes slowly developed cataracts. Reading glasses, magnifiers....not much help when the lenses in your eyeballs are going bad. Two years ago, cataract surgery on both eyes, with upper tier lenses. Today, I have 20/18 vision at all distances. A true blessing and surprisingly a painless one. And now Yes I can understand how graders don't need loupes.

QCCoinGuy · September 5, 2017 11:16AM

@tradernick I believe Otto Frei.com has the Eschenbach 3x6=9. I got mine shipped to Canada and the whole deal ended up costing $170 CDN. Well-worth it!

TommyType · September 5, 2017 11:59AM

Despite "playing with coins" for 20 years now, I'm a recent convert to the Zeiss D36. (Like, a month ago).

Yes, you can live with a B/L Hastings 7X, (which used to be touted as the best all around choice!), and maybe a 10X for varieties. Maybe something cheaper and "disposable" for daily use. I did for a long time...and I have a small collection of lenses like most collectors.

But once you get some experience with the lens quality and size(!) on the Zeiss compared to the B/L, it is so much better and more comfortable.

Also agree that your average beginner (which we all were), tends to get too much magnification. (I have a 20X to prove it). That 3x lens on the Zeiss is just so perfect for a quick scan of a coin....

ColonelJessup · September 5, 2017 2:23PM

The key for me is not so much the magnification as the diameter of the lens.
Higher mags seem to come with 20mm loupes
I've used an Eschenbach 5x for 30+ years, the key for me being it's 30mm..
I think it's model 7518 - what ever it is, it's been discontinued..
I have an unopened bottle of Blue Ribbon I'd trade for a new one straight up.

I'm down to my last two, and will order Eschenbach's 5x 30mm cheapo plastic slide-out version and see if I can cope.
Whatever I use will be 30mm, that's for sure.

Insider2 · September 5, 2017 4:01PM

The 3X,4X,7X B&L I use is 37mm. With both lenses together (7X) it lets in plenty of light and I can see the entire side of a silver dollar all at once. Great beginner's lens.

Tradernik · September 5, 2017 5:21PM

@ColonelJessup said:
The key for me is not so much the magnification as the diameter of the lens.
Higher mags seem to come with 20mm loupes
I've used an Eschenbach 5x for 30+ years, the key for me being it's 30mm..
I think it's model 7518

Aha, yet another variable. CU says 'Get thee to an LCS' to check these out. I'll definitely post here when I buy one. I already shipped the Amazon one back.

It was branded 'Fancii'. Wasn't that enough of a hint?

DoughDeo · September 5, 2017 6:00PM

In case you come across a Zeiss without the instructions:

Stork · September 5, 2017 6:16PM

@ldhair said:
I fell in love with this one. Best thing I ever did for my eyes.

It's the one I picked.

eschenbach.com/e897c121-0c59-4057-aded-099ea651be91/products-technical-magnifiers-hand-held-detail.htm

Bought mine online and the best favor I ever did for my eyes. It's a great combination and well worth the upgrade to get it IMO once looking at things in a more critical fashion.

I don't like lanyards so I used the loop to put on a ridiculous phone danglie/charm thing. Think Hello Kitty with tinkly bells. Not only will no one want to be seen holding it, it makes an obnoxious sound when moved around (if you don't know the bells). Unlikely to walk away and I can still shove it in my pocket.

Help with a magnifier please

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