Celestron Handheld Digital Microscope Pro

[VAB2013]

I've seen it on a few Proof cents from the late 50's. I'm not sure the explanation but it seems to happen after the die has been used a while. Maybe it is micro grain structure of the metal, with small grains being removed by polishing, and the "craters" in the die smoothed over by further polishing. I'm sure it is something like that, a figment of the metallurgy of the die and the polishing process.

Thank you Ray! I would imagine the polishing process, even for Proof cents has changed quite a bit over the years. One just expects a Proof to be perfect!

[jfines69]

Looks like the die on that proof had pitting from corrosion!!!

[VAB2013]

Looks like the die on that proof had pitting from corrosion!!!

Surely they wouldn't use a pitted die for Proof's, but then... that was back in the 60's when people didn't throw anything away

[jfines69]

Surely they wouldn't use a pitted die for Proof's, but then... that was back in the 60's when people didn't throw anything away

Only if they could tell it were pitted... Those dies are worse than 5 bricks of 2017Ps

[TPring]

Any updates on this thread?

Just wondering if anybody [besides Ray] got this scope and what they think about it -- Or other scopes [even if they cost a bit more].

I am looking to 'Up' my game in photographing these coins. Are there other setups [maybe analog]? I have heard mixed reviews on the USB scopes.

Can it also capture die scratches?

Thanks

[Petespockets55]

Any updates on this thread?

Just wondering if anybody [besides Ray] got this scope and what they think about it -- Or other scopes [even if they cost a bit more].

I am looking to 'Up' my game in photographing these coins. Are there other setups [maybe analog]? I have heard mixed reviews on the USB scopes.

Can it also capture die scratches?

Thanks

I used to have one that worked before a Windows update and it would capture scratches. The light needs to be as close to 90 degrees to the scratch to show up the best.

[VAB2013]

Any updates on this thread?

Just wondering if anybody [besides Ray] got this scope and what they think about it -- Or other scopes [even if they cost a bit more].

I am looking to 'Up' my game in photographing these coins. Are there other setups [maybe analog]? I have heard mixed reviews on the USB scopes.

Can it also capture die scratches?

Thanks

Yes, I have one coming in Friday I think. My son ordered it and he gets the tracking updates and I have not been updated.

[TPring]

Yes, I am going to order one today and it should be here by 12/30.

Special shout-out to Ray for taking time to order one and give feedback -- That is going above and beyond.

Also big thanks to you [VAB] for checking this out and following through.

[VAB2013]

Yes, I am going to order one today and it should be here by 12/30.

Special shout-out to Ray for taking time to order one and give feedback -- That is going above and beyond.

Also big thanks to you [VAB] for checking this out and following through.

You are welcome TPring! That's cool you have one coming in also! We can figure this thing out together! And of course, if we have any problems, Ray is an awesome guy to help us out!

[VAB2013]

Well Ray, I may need a little help please! My Celestron came in today and I am wondering how much pulling and tugging you had to do to get the clear plastic guide off?

Also, I am reading your notes and one thing I have noticed right away is... the image looks nice and clear but once the pic is taken the pic looks pitted and grainy.

[MiciDragan]

Hi Viv,

Are there any options that can be changed in terms of format of the saved image? It would be great if it could save in other than JPEG. Also, what about taking a print screen of the preview, will it be better than the actual saved image? Perhaps try to reduce gain or ISO format if there is any on the camera.

Mici

[ray_parkhurst]

Well Ray, I may need a little help please! My Celestron came in today and I am wondering how much pulling and tugging you had to do to get the clear plastic guide off?

Also, I am reading your notes and one thing I have noticed right away is... the image looks nice and clear but once the pic is taken the pic looks pitted and grainy.

Hi Viv,

It was not easy. I used a pair of pliers with paper to keep from doing too much damage to the clear piece, though I did not really care so much since it is not all that useful. I planned on wrenching on it til it gave loose, or broke into pieces. It gave loose first.

I don't remember seeing much difference between the live image and the captured pic. Are you looking at the same final image size?

[VAB2013]

Hi Viv,

It was not easy. I used a pair of pliers with paper to keep from doing too much damage to the clear piece, though I did not really care so much since it is not all that useful. I planned on wrenching on it til it gave loose, or broke into pieces. It gave loose first.

I don't remember seeing much difference between the live image and the captured pic. Are you looking at the same final image size?

Thank you Ray, I was able to get the clear plastic guide off without too much trouble, it did crack when I clamped down on it with pliers. Then I just pulled on it in several different places and it popped off. It's just glued on so removing it did not damage the LED's or anything.

I do not see an option in the settings for final image size. I am shooting it at 3 MP. Also playing around with lighting. The LED's give the coin a purple cast. Here is the before and after difference, just by adjusting the light in the room, and also the "EDIT" below.

Edit: Also I made a paper template with a small hole for the lens and then made a tissue paper filter from that and taped it on to cover the LED's.

[TPring]

...I do not see an option in the settings for final image size.

If you are using the Celestron MicroCapture Pro program that comes with the scope, go to Options > Resolution.

edit: Do you see a way to save the original as anything other than .jpg?

[VAB2013]

If you are using the Celestron MicroCapture Pro program that comes with the scope, go to Options > Resolution.

Thank you TPring! Yes I am using that software and I had that set to 3MP, but didn't see how to downsize the photo to 1024x768 for publishing. So I just put the photo in paint, resized it to 1024x768 and saved it as a .png to see if that would make a difference. I have attached that photo to see if it looks any different. Can you tell a difference? They look the same to me.

edit: Do you see a way to save the original as anything other than .jpg?

Yes, either jpg, bmp, png or tif. But png's don't open automatically when you click them, you have to download them first so I didn't choose that one. (at least that's what it does on my computer)