Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
What do you use?
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John
I use a few different tools for the process of elimination. A digital scanner can give you far better magnification than a lighted lope or magnifying glass can and the image can be expanded even larger on a computer screen. A digital micro-scope can be useful to accomplishing the same task as a scanner. Then there are the old trusted lopes and magnifying glasses. I use 2 different lopes. One is a fixed 30xx lens which works well to see most but not all of the smallest detail. Then I have a 10xx to 30xx two lens lope and is great for quick examination.
The draw backs to using hand held lopes or magnifying glasses is one has to have a steady hand for that sure target acquisition that often gets complicated by holding the stamp in one hand and the lope in the other as I'm sure you have discovered. Put the stamp down on a matte background and use the brightest light in a dark room is the secret or better yet sunlight. For the matte background I'm cheap and use construction paper black or red.
Then there is always a camera.
It is entirely up to you and what your budget will allow.
Jeremy
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I use a 3 power magnifier, then I use my scanner if I have to.
It helps to have an ice cold beer to!
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For checking a bundle of the same stamp, I use a Carson headband magnifier with LED. It leaves your hands free to whip through a pile of stamps. I have two hand-held magnifiers, one with a flip to make it a stand, with millimeter measurements on it. The other is an ancient single lens in a leather holder.
For bulk stamps, I sometimes load them onto a Hagner or Vario sheet, scan at 1200dpi and view on my laptop
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I use a 10X linen tester.
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I prefer this hands free Lighthouse model for basic tasks. The one weakness is a weak the on/off switch based upon two models I have used.
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$35 amazon microscope & my hobby lobby $4 coin 10x magnifier. Never found a better handheld than that one!
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I was recently given a SAMSUNG acrobat reader. Fantastic device (machine), but I wouldn't pay $2K for a new one.
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I've got a fairly inexpensive lighted handheld one. Works ok but image blurs a bit if I move it closer or further.
What do you use?
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12:59:56pm
re: Magnifiers- what do you use to look for EFOs and variations?
John
I use a few different tools for the process of elimination. A digital scanner can give you far better magnification than a lighted lope or magnifying glass can and the image can be expanded even larger on a computer screen. A digital micro-scope can be useful to accomplishing the same task as a scanner. Then there are the old trusted lopes and magnifying glasses. I use 2 different lopes. One is a fixed 30xx lens which works well to see most but not all of the smallest detail. Then I have a 10xx to 30xx two lens lope and is great for quick examination.
The draw backs to using hand held lopes or magnifying glasses is one has to have a steady hand for that sure target acquisition that often gets complicated by holding the stamp in one hand and the lope in the other as I'm sure you have discovered. Put the stamp down on a matte background and use the brightest light in a dark room is the secret or better yet sunlight. For the matte background I'm cheap and use construction paper black or red.
Then there is always a camera.
It is entirely up to you and what your budget will allow.
Jeremy
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re: Magnifiers- what do you use to look for EFOs and variations?
I use a 3 power magnifier, then I use my scanner if I have to.
It helps to have an ice cold beer to!
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
re: Magnifiers- what do you use to look for EFOs and variations?
For checking a bundle of the same stamp, I use a Carson headband magnifier with LED. It leaves your hands free to whip through a pile of stamps. I have two hand-held magnifiers, one with a flip to make it a stand, with millimeter measurements on it. The other is an ancient single lens in a leather holder.
For bulk stamps, I sometimes load them onto a Hagner or Vario sheet, scan at 1200dpi and view on my laptop
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08:21:46am
re: Magnifiers- what do you use to look for EFOs and variations?
I use a 10X linen tester.
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re: Magnifiers- what do you use to look for EFOs and variations?
I prefer this hands free Lighthouse model for basic tasks. The one weakness is a weak the on/off switch based upon two models I have used.
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re: Magnifiers- what do you use to look for EFOs and variations?
$35 amazon microscope & my hobby lobby $4 coin 10x magnifier. Never found a better handheld than that one!
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re: Magnifiers- what do you use to look for EFOs and variations?
I was recently given a SAMSUNG acrobat reader. Fantastic device (machine), but I wouldn't pay $2K for a new one.
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