Thread: Magnification recommendations?

Originally Posted by Aerdvaark

I have to say, even though I bought the Carson under heavy recommendation here, I don't like it. I don't like it at all. Why? Under the supplied blue led lighting and angle of illumination all edges look pretty much the same. Blue hazy scratches. If there was a way to provide an incandescent bulb, or white led lighting, IMO,it would perform several magnitudes better. The lighting is horrible. However some things are illuminated well. I don't know why it behaves this way. Maybe it has to do with the amount of reflective surface it is illuminating or the color of the item under view. I know this because I can compare it to my usb scope and get a much different picture. I agree though for the price you can't go wrong, but I'm sure there is a way to modify it to show a better representation of the item under view. Any ideas? Or am I just flat out wrong? I am using a new battery if that helps.

I figured out two things to help. Instead of having the blade edge face the microscope have it facing away from the microscope. Now instead of a white, reflective line at the edge you can actually see the edge.

Get a small flashlight with the kind of color (of light) that you like and lay that down pointing toward the blade. In other words just supplement the light that is built into the microscope.

PCM,
That scope looks like a very good option. With the stand it would be easy to quickly/easily bring the blade under the camera and then just focus by moving the blade up and down--on the lower magnifications. 5 megapixels is about as good as I've seen for a USB camera and 300x is about all that is of any use with that resolution.

That combination for that price is a great value. It would not be hard to set up an external light source for it to make it even better.

Thanks for the link!

Originally Posted by Utopian

PCM,
That scope looks like a very good option. With the stand it would be easy to quickly/easily bring the blade under the camera and then just focus by moving the blade up and down--on the lower magnifications. 5 megapixels is about as good as I've seen for a USB camera and 300x is about all that is of any use with that resolution.

That combination for that price is a great value. It would not be hard to set up an external light source for it to make it even better.

Thanks for the link!

You're welcome! I haven't tried rigging up another light. Some of the issue may be the reflective surface, and possibly the software doing Auto exposure.

The stand and microscope like knobs make it easy to adjust focus. There are about 3 useful levels of magnification. I use the highest for most pics done here.

sent from my phone.

Small, fits in the pocket. Probably moving from the honing station to shave test and forgot the little fella was in there. It wasn't exactly a big loss. The loupe was on it's last leg anyway, the trip through the wash just sped it up a little bit. Still, won't be makin that mistake twice.

Depends on how you use it, USB is a pain in the butt to stop and take a look.

When honing, I don’t need a lot of resolution or a perfect image, just a quick look at an issue or progress.

I use the Carson 200 mico-max, 60-100 and a 60X lighted loupe, USB when taking photos, rarely. They are cheap enough, I bought several of each.

I had one like the 'currency detecting microscope' in the top picture. It was on it's third set of batteries, the contacts in the lid were broken off, and the only reason it was still working was a folded piece of tin foil bridging the gap to complete the circuit.

I bought a carson scope like the bottom one. But ideally I'd like something with some more longevity to it. The kind of thing you'd purchase once and not have to replace because the thing is built to fall apart.

Which is kind of a strike against a USB microscope like PCM's. The nature of electronic components, sure it'll probably be good for 3-5 years, but will it still work in 10? 15? Maybe it'll be obsoleted next year, who knows? I'm seriously considering going old school with a lighted stereo microscope.