20x stereo microscope

[Roy W]

I know it’s a super basic version, but is there any reason this scope would be terrible for coin cleaning? I mean, 55 bucks…

https://www.amazon.com/AmScope-SE120-Microscope-Magnification-Track-Controlled/dp/B00DUIST02/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=12GX2HI9N9Z08&keywords=AmScope+SE120+Portable&qid=1667755643&sprefix=amscope+se120+portable+%2Caps%2C531&sr=8-3

[Joe Sermarini]

If you try it, let us know how much you like it.

[Roy W]

Ehh, went with “AmScope SE400-Z Professional Binocular Stereo Microscope, WF10x and WF20x Eyepieces, 10X and 20X Magnification, 1X Objective, LED Lighting, Boom-Arm Stand”.

I mean, it’s Amazon. Exchanging it is never a hassle.

[Joe Sermarini]

Well, let us know about that one then.

[Virgil H]

I think I have the same model or very similar. I like it a lot with the boom and the light. What I will say is I never use the 20X to the point I am not sure I could find those eyepieces right now without a major search. I also wish it had 5X-7X or something like that as an option, but 10X is very nice. I only really use it for coins, but have used it for soldering a couple of times. If anyone uses 20X regularly, I would love to hear your technique. For me, it is just too much magnification although I suspect it may also be my inexperience using it with coins and an inability to know what I am looking at at such high magnification.

Virgil

[Anaximander]

Ehh, went with “AmScope SE400-Z Professional Binocular Stereo Microscope, WF10x and WF20x Eyepieces, 10X and 20X Magnification, 1X Objective, LED Lighting, Boom-Arm Stand”.

Yes, please let us know how you like it.  That model cost you a nice denarius, but I do rather like the concept of a "boom-arm." Frankly, anything with the name "boom" is apt to get my attention.  However, personally, I'd shy away from any dental applications. Best leave that for the professionals.

[Roy W]

Lol thanks, but I actually changed my mind AGAIN. I went to the manufacturer’s website to get more info, and saw this one on sale for 126, and they’re having a veterans day sale (code VET15) for 15% off. Long story short, 107US delivered…I couldn’t pass it up.


Amscope 20X-40X Compact Multi-Lens Stereo Microscope with Angled Head, Metal Pillar Stand, Top Lighting.

[Virgil H]

I personally think 20-40X is too much magnification for coins. I would be interested in how you like it. Plus, the tray is made for slides, hopefully coins will work with it just as well.

Virgil

[Joe Sermarini]

My microscope is a stereo zoom. I sometimes use as much as 40X but that is for authentication and to check for plating on a suspected fourree.

[Roy W]

Maaaaan…I’ve never seen anything cooler than this in my entire life! This is definitely the way to clean coins (opinion of course, I’m just excited about it).

On a completely unrelated note…does anyone have a couch I can sleep on? I’ve been shooing the wife away for the past 9 hours…

[Fred K]

Hello all, Im very new to coins and was wondering if a standard error coin 1000x microscope would work just as well...Im asking cause Id like the camera it has to take pics.

[Joe Sermarini]

At 1000x, your photos will be of only a teeny tiny spot on the coin.

[Nathaniel N2]

All of my coins would likely just look like dirt again at 1000x

[Virgil H]

I personally think 20X is too much. 1000X would be completely useless for a coin. I use 10X for my microscope work and often a magnifying glass. 20X maybe once in a blue moon. But, in reading your post, maybe I don't know what a "standard error coin 1000x microscope" is.

Virgil

[Roy W]

I agree with Virgil. While I use a 20x, it’s because I’m cleaning with very small diamond dusted pins. The problem with 20x is that it’s so focused on a small area (“zoomed in”) that it’s hard to see the bigger picture. For example, if I’m picking at Constantine’s earlobe, I can’t see that it’s part of a bigger “encrustment flake” that I could’ve just got under and flicked off. I’d recommend a 10x-20x stereo microscope and switch back and forth as the need arises. 1000x would make it impossible to even see what area you’re working on, not to mention differentiating grooves from high spots.

[Robert_Brenchley]

1000x (which I use regularly for microbes) is limited, awkward to use, and absolutely useless for coins. You get a field of view which is a few hundredths of a mm across, and no depth of field at all, making it impossible to focus on anything which isn't flat. Reflected light would be impossible to use as the lens is less than 1/5mm from the specimen. I'd suggest a binocular microscope, which is what you need for large specimens, magnifying about 5-20x, perhaps a bit higher for occasional very close study.

[Anaximander]

I currently rely on an inexpensive swing lamp with integrated magnifier for my low-power needs or a jeweler's loupe for higher magnification.

I rather like the thought of a low-powered microscope, though I have not used a microscope in decades.  If I were to describe the ideal candidate based on this discussion, I believe it would be a zoom binocular scope with integrated LED lighting, potentially with a third optic for a camera. It seems that I would have to select two eyepieces and a lens for binocular viewing.

I see some eyepieces described as 10-20x, which if matched up with a 0.5x lens sounds like it would deliver 5-10x magnification. Does that sound right?

The next question is whether a third, digital camera, optic could also be found that would usefully deliver low-power magnification. From what I’ve seen, these tend to get expensive, and I don’t want to pay up for something that isn’t useful.

[Molinari]

What is the ultimate purpose?  I have a decent scope but I rarely use it--however, with the photo feature I might.  If you are going to splurge on the scope maybe the photo component is worthwhile.

[Robert_Brenchley]

Microscope photography's good fun and a useful record; I've been getting the necessary together to do pics of microbes. But you do need to plan from the beginning; are you going to use one of the specialist microscope cameras, which have their own limitations, or get an adapter for a DSLR? If the latter, you need a trinocular as without the vertical camera tube it won't be stable.