UBS digital microscope

One thing I'm trying to develop is a test method on when to move up to a higher grit when honing.
I convinced myself that "seeing" the edge's progress would be best, such as, photos that others have posted to show results of different grits.
I received my "50-500X 2MP USB 8 LED Light Digital Microscope Endoscope" today and can't not display a focused view.
The calibrations on the adjuster show 50x to 500x. However, it functions more like a focus.
The best focus I can achieve is very blurry; unusable.
Some of you folks have captured photos and posted them which were very clear in my opinion.
How did you do that? Is there a trick to getting a decent focus?
Thanks...

My initial experience was exactly as you describe. I haven't been back to try again yet...just haven't had time.

Hi there try moving the end of the microscope away from the blade a little, that helped for me. It's still really fiddly though and I've stopped using mine in favour of a quality 10x loupe.
The 10x loupe I purchased cost a bit more than the ones on eBay but it seems to give a similar magnification to one's described as 30x but with better definition.

Good recent thread on magnification over here:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/honin...=magnification

What USB microscope is it ? I bought one that was (if I rember right) 80x thinking that it was adjustable. It turned out to be fixed at that 80x and the wheel was just for focusing, maybe yours is the same. I never sent it b back as it does actually work very well for what I bought it for; at the time it was for looking at knife edges and now razors :)

If I get chance I'll post some pics of the images it takes.

Try putting the scope directly on the bevel, with the bevel at 90 degrees to the scope edge to begin with.

Make sure to remove clear plastic lens cover.

Dial the focus barrel from one range to the other. It is not 50-500 … it is 50 or 500 power or supposed to be.

The focus field is very small and as said moving the razor to focus may be easier as opposed to using the focus knob. You will have to work out your own holder, I use an rubber eraser under the open scale.

Take photos with the software not the photo button it will knock you out of focus.

Adding additional light a goose neck halogen light or flash light will improve photos.

On my Veho there are 2 extremes ~ 20 & 200x
200x is with the objective dialled in close. 20x is with it wound back.
Moving the razor or scope will help with the focus but some brands are just rubbish & impossible to get a clear view.

The Vehos aren't too bad. Some others are utter rubbish.

Better is a good triplet loupe, glass lenses, large diameter lens to let a lot of light in - pricey compared to USB microscopes though.

Better still is a good old stereo optical microscope, especially with wide-field ocualrs so you have a very decent depth of view and long lens to object distance. Very expensive, though, even second hand.

Regards,
Neil

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Euclid440

Try putting the scope directly on the bevel, with the bevel at 90 degrees to the scope edge to begin with.

Make sure to remove clear plastic lens cover.

Dial the focus barrel from one range to the other. It is not 50-500 … it is 50 or 500 power or supposed to be.

The focus field is very small and as said moving the razor to focus may be easier as opposed to using the focus knob. You will have to work out your own holder, I use an rubber eraser under the open scale.

Take photos with the software not the photo button it will knock you out of focus.

Adding additional light a goose neck halogen light or flash light will improve photos.

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You are my hero. I feel like a dope for not seeing there was a protective cap.
I now have some very crisp pics like what others have posted.
Now to figure out what I'm looking at. LOL
thanks.

I own the very same USB microscope and I find myself using a 40X illuminated loupe instead, for most of the time.

Its ability to take photographs is pretty cool but it's just a nuisance IMHO.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Neckbone

... there was a protective cap ...

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Now that is funny! I can imagine that sort of thing happening to me, all too easily! :)

Regards
Neil

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Neil Miller

Now that is funny! I can imagine that sort of thing happening to me, all too easily! :)

Regards
Neil

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You actually can get a mirror image of the LED's in the pic when the cap is on . ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Neckbone

You are my hero. I feel like a dope for not seeing there was a protective cap.
I now have some very crisp pics like what others have posted.
Now to figure out what I'm looking at. LOL
thanks.

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Haha that is brilliant and put a smile on my face today.