Thread: Magnification recommendations?

Will do! It is past 12 PM here in the east coast.... hopefully tomorrow.

https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C...ugfAZee2NWM%3A


Just as an idea for tonight, check the link...

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.

Originally Posted by fxt913

You are all quite crafty individuals from whom I have benefited a lot over the years on so many topics. Here is my tiny contribution: best microscope is the one you make yourself.... a smartphone camera with a lens. You would be amazed at the quality you can get!! How about a 12 MP sensor with a high quality lens microscope, with a 1080P or even 4K 5-6 inch screen, plus a very powerfull software for less money than any of the cheapo and useless usb microscopes from China? Let me elaborate..... as Keith said, 5 MP sensor is about the best usb microscope camera you can get, and pcm's suggestion is indeed good. The lens and sensors on most microscopes below $1000 are crapy though. But, even low end smartphones nowdays sport 12 MP cameras. An android app such as Magnifier is all you need, and it is free. Then you need a semi decent lens to attach. There are many options.... usb camera lens, striped loope lens, dvd player lenses, any of those cheapo magnifying lenses you have..... that you trash as soon as the battery runs out.

The one I use: an old usb camera lens. I striped the camera and retrieved the lens. Then with a hairpin and scotchtape you attach the lens on the back of the phone. Imdo not need t do this all the time....but when I do, it is super simple and easy once you put it together. Soon you all will have many lenses to use and your own setup. As fancy or as simple as you want to make it. I use two flashlights for lighting ideally with diffusers. Give it a try, and enjoy!

I've actually tried a few variations of that. I bought a 200x magnifier that was made to be attached to a cell phone. Unfortunately, it didn't have good enough focus to get any sort of clear imagery with or without the cell phone at any level of magnification. Lesson learned, you get what you pay for.

I had a tiny bit of luck using the 60x scope that just broke. However, the washer/dryer didn't just kill the battery they also killed the focus mechanism and now the lens just kinda flops up and down in the scope's body. Maybe I can cannibalize that to make one of those safety pin cell phone rigs...assuming I didn't just pitch it. I honestly can't recall what I did with the scope.

I find I'm not exactly a fan of the Carson scope. It gets the job done, but holding a razor and operating the magnification and focus adjustments is a bit of a challenge. Not so much an issue with lighting as it is a juggling act, but I'll give credit where do, when I finally DO get it in focus I can get a much closer view than the 60X loupe it replaced, with more or less just as well focused a view.

I have been using one like that for a long time

https://www.amazon.com/SE-MW10085-Il...eld+microscope

only mine is 30x max.
To get good visuals of the bevel/edge, you have to have the light at the right orientation, you have to focus the scope at the spot you are looking at, if you move the scope you may have to refocus. This is not a plug and play system, it will need some fine adjustments as you go.


EDIT: here is mine
https://www.amazon.com/SE-MW10084-LE...PHCDQN4XQHQYPM

Part of the trick to using the Carson is to make a foam piece to glue on the plastic base.

The edge will after a few uses cut into the foam, then to align the edge you just put the edge in the groove. You may need to bump the focus, but your are 99 percent there and in focus.

60X works best for looking straight down on the edge.

Here’s the link to the foam protector.
(Show the world how you’ve modified your tools), Post 78

Here are some links for all of you, just to get a good overall idea as to how you can make a super simple, and fairly powerful setup, for your microscope:

DIY smartphone MICROSCOPE: Turn your mobile into expert kit | Daily Mail Online

https://readfeeldo.wordpress.com/201...or-smartphone/

How To Make A Camera Magnifier Using The iPhone | RemoveandReplace.com


Smartphone microscope takes LED teardown photos | Designing with LEDs

Do they work for our hobby? Yes, they all do! KISS, & DIY! Some are better than others....but it all depends on the quality of the lens. Even cheap, and low quality lenses work very well. Your smartphone's sensor allows for great digital magnification, so even a 10X lens works great. You do not need a high powered lens. Focal length is an issue with them.

Two "secrets" that make this work:

1) The lens HAS to be flushed against the camera, making sure it has made good contact. Make sure there is no dust in between, just as in a normal microscope. Phone protective cases may or may not allow for good contact, so you may have to remove them if that is the case. By the way, it is not just phones.... your old (or new) ipad, ipad minis, android versions...whatever you have.

2) Lighting. You need diffuse light for best results, but even without a diffuser, you can make it to work just fine with two flashlights. Flashlights with diffusers work great!

I bet 99% of you reading this have all you need right now at home and can get one working right away. In our throwaway society there are tons of hardware that get trashed with very decent lenses embedded in them. Old usb cameras (or any camera) have some of the best optical lenses, as do old dvd players, or you can get started with lens from a laser pointer flashlight. There are free magnifier apps for both Android and Apple. Get to know them first and see how they work. They provide digital zoom.... more than you need to see the bevel scratches! The third link I have provided pretty much summarizes this whole concept very clearly. Once I get home tonight I will take some pics of my setup. I would love to see your setups..... and maybe later, Keith would get a hint on a new topic, and put a 30-45 min video of this whole idea, with his interpretation! His youtube channel is indeed cool, and informative! Have fun!!

As promised, I am attaching a number of images showing my setup! I went through quickly and did not spend much time with lighting, and did not use any diffusers as I do not have them here right now.... but with better lighting the results are more impressive. For sure most of you can come up with a more elaborate setup....for me though, the simpler, the better. Been doing this for a couple of years now, when I need to look at the edge, but in most refreshes I do not use any scoping, at all. I sincerely hope someone finds these images, and this DIY method, useful.



The above images show the lens attached with a hairpin, and scotch tape.



Here you see the setup, and how the image looks like.

Simply remarkable!!! I must have one immediately!!!

I am sure you will have more than one, or two lenses, very shortly. With an Ipad mini, the setup is quite pleasant. With an Ipad Pro, it is stunning... a sight to be seen!

Unfortunately, I rarely use my Pro for this, as I keep it with a protective case, and the lens does not make good contact, unless I take the case off. I use Super Vision+ app for Apple, and the Magnifier app in Android, for those who want to give it a try. There are other apps too, maybe someone will have another useful perspective on them. Look forward to see what others will come up with, in the meantime.