vk
**Member** 
Posts: 4
|
Post by vk on Sept 28, 2023 20:23:18 GMT
I'm new to stamp collecting and was wondering if a magnifying glass is considered an essential tool for collectors. If you do use one, could you kindly recommend which type or brand I should consider?
Thanks in advance!
|
|
Jerry B
Departed
Rest in Peace
Marietta, Georgia USA
Posts: 1,485 
|
Post by Jerry B on Sept 28, 2023 20:54:04 GMT
|
|
stainlessb
Member 
qaStaHvIS yIn 'ej chep
Posts: 4,906
What I collect: currently focused on most of western Europe, much of which is spent on France, Belgium, Germany and Great Britain Queen Victoria
|
Post by stainlessb on Sept 28, 2023 21:08:32 GMT
Hi VK
I have my "Sherlock Holmes" model from my earliest days of collecting. Th class lens is 3" across, and the only markings on it are KOREA. I think it's maybe 5x, but enough to take quick views and see most things.
I have found a scanner indispensable as I can get hi-resolution images and put up on my monitor (27") and fill the screen and see details very well. it is a bit time consuming, but a valuable tool.
and if I need to get really close-up detail, I have a dissecting scope with digital camera (~40x)
but a good hand lens works fine for most needs!
|
|
hdm1950
Member
Posts: 1,887
What I collect: I collect world wide up to 1965 with several specialty albums added due to volume of material I have acquired. At this point I am focused on Canada and British America. I am always on the lookout for stamps and covers with postmarks from communities in Queens County, Nova Scotia. I do list various goods including stamps occasionally on eBay as hdm50
|
Post by hdm1950 on Sept 28, 2023 21:35:59 GMT
I have several older magnifying glasses around that I use often and are invaluable for the hobby. I had mentioned before that we must not forget new technology. If you have a smart phone you may have a magnifying app but for sure you would have a camera. I use mine more all the time to zoom out a stamp.
|
|
REL1948
Member
Posts: 790
What I collect: 1840-Pre-Decimal, GB and Colonies, 1840 1 penny reds, British Empire Postal History, Switzerland Postal History
|
Post by REL1948 on Sept 29, 2023 1:13:01 GMT
Hello vk and Welcome to The Stamp Forum.
You've asked a great question regarding magnification. Each collectors need for magnification will specifically depend on their collecting interests and their eyesight. I can only speak for myself and my needs.
I was pretty involved with the Canada Small Queen issues a few years ago. To adequately identify those stamps, I found the need for several tools besides magnifiers. Special Perforation gauges and Color references were also critical to form credible IDs. Magnification played a role in identifying paper types and changes to the actual printing plates (re-entrys) where minute flaws and changes to a specific stamp helped locate that stamps position on the original sheet. Some people call this 'fly specking', in any event it's the scrutiny required to identify specific stamps within a wide range of similar looking stamps.
Currently I'm involved in learning to plate the Great Britain Line Engraved Imperforate issues. I've found magnification to play an important role in identifying the hundreds of different plates. I mainly use a Lindner LED illuminated Dome magnifier. I love this tool for first looks to get into the ballpark but accurate ID typically requires significant magnification over a tiny area of these stamps. I always turn to my Epson V600 Scanner to resolve those questions. For difficult IDs, I use a digital microscope usually to verify the ID more than first determining it. The digital can be tricky to work with as there are lighting considerations and the possibility of being too powerful to resolve what I wanted to see. At higher magnifications, table vibration or even heavy footsteps can jitter the image. Perhaps not with a more expensive microscope but I can't complain, this one has worked adquately as needed.
It really comes down to your eyes and application as to which method you choose for magnification. There's no end to the wonderful array of optics and electronics out there to help you in your quest.
The photo below shows my Digital microscope on the left, Bausch and Lomb 7X Measuring Magnifier, Linen Tester (small Brass instrument), Lindner illuminated LED Dome Magnifier and on the right a Bausch and Lomb Folding Lighted Magnifier. All of these tools have served me well.
Rob
|
|
|
|
Post by dgdecker on Sept 29, 2023 2:27:27 GMT
I find useful to have one around for those « what if » situations.
with all new technologies I still like to see sone things with my own
David
|
|
Ryan
Moderator 
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 2,749
What I collect: If I have a catalogue for it, I collect it. And I have many catalogues ....
|
Post by Ryan on Sept 29, 2023 6:11:30 GMT
I'm another who is a fan of the linen tester. Mine looks like this - the open structure allows light to get in without creating a shadow on the stamp, and for my miserable eyes that's most useful. I use a 10x version. For more detailed viewing, I use a handheld digital microscope.  Ryan |
|
Jerry B
Departed
Rest in Peace
Marietta, Georgia USA
Posts: 1,485
|
Post by Jerry B on Sept 29, 2023 8:08:38 GMT
Hi VK
I just remembered that a friend used to use a surplus WW II Norden Bombsight. The view was spectacular. Where he got it I have no idea. Hr was partner of an expert ccomitteeand it served him well.
Jerry B
|
|
|
|
Post by classicalstamps on Sept 29, 2023 9:09:19 GMT
|
|
angore
Member
Posts: 5,699
What I collect: WW, focus on British Empire
|
Post by angore on Sept 29, 2023 9:49:44 GMT
I use three: 1. eye lupe - hand held 2. Lighthouse 20x - lays flat, used the most 3. USB Microscope- I use this the least I use this the most  |
|
hdm1950
Member
Posts: 1,887
What I collect: I collect world wide up to 1965 with several specialty albums added due to volume of material I have acquired. At this point I am focused on Canada and British America. I am always on the lookout for stamps and covers with postmarks from communities in Queens County, Nova Scotia. I do list various goods including stamps occasionally on eBay as hdm50
|
Post by hdm1950 on Sept 29, 2023 12:00:20 GMT
From a little question by vk this has evolved into a display of some pretty cool items. Through time there have been gimmick ones as well. This one was in an old estate collection box I bought at some point. It can do the job but things like lamp and ceiling lighting glare make it far from the best option.   |
|
vk
**Member**
Posts: 4
|
Post by vk on Oct 3, 2023 13:14:21 GMT
I want to express my gratitude to all of you for your fantastic responses. I've been on the road and just had the chance to review your replies. I found your answers to be incredibly insightful and enlightening. A special shoutout to REL1948 for sharing your experiences with magnification. Your insights have truly expanded my understanding of how intricate and fascinating the world of stamp collecting can be. |
|
brookbam
Member
APS 236261
Posts: 235
What I collect: US...everything until I decide what I don't want to collect! And now thanks to a TSF give-away I'm adding Space topicals!
|
Post by brookbam on Oct 29, 2023 19:59:35 GMT
I've been using this for now although I do have one of those digital microscope thingies packed in a box around here....somewhere.... Lighted desktop magnifier.  Not the exact one that I use but similar enough that it will do. Mike |
|
