loupy
Member 
Back and active, thank you!
Posts: 70
What I collect: US to 2000 with a focus on 720 & 721, WW 1840 - 1930, DDR 5 year workers, Machins, Canada Centennials, Brazil Allegories, Mexico Archiecture & Archaeology 1950 -75, used stamps preffered when possible.
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Post by loupy on Jan 26, 2019 6:18:21 GMT
What type magnification works best for you when you are Flyspecking?
I started Flyspecking US Bureau issues about 20 years ago while using a 2.5 X magnifier that was 1.5" in diameter, this worked OK, but sometimes I needed more power to really burrow down into the printing details, so I began using a 15X loupe. This works OK too, but now I am seeing too much as I check through multitudes of stamps and slows down the whole process. Thinking about going back to the 2.5 X and using it to birddog through mass amounts of stamps searching for any that might be of interest then switching to the loupe to confirm what I think I am seeing with the 2.5 X magnifier.
So, do you think the 2.5 X has enough power to fill the bill, or should I be using a different power for spotting before I switch to the loupe?
Thanks in advance for your opinion, and every viewpoint will be taken into consideration.
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Ryan
Member
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 2,720 
What I collect: If I have a catalogue for it, I collect it. And I have many catalogues ....
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Post by Ryan on Jan 26, 2019 8:12:56 GMT
I have a cheap small plastic magnifier with two powers, I think 2x on the big face and 6x on the small face and the 6x is enough to see a plate variety (I have miserable eyes and the 2x hardly does me much good). The 6x spot, though, is quite small so I can only see a small portion of the stamp. I prefer to use this type of thing. Sometimes I see it called a folding loupe or something like that but when I was buying them from my machine tool catalogue they were listed as "linen testers". They come in various powers - the ones I buy are 10x power and I like them a lot (enough that I have three of them, one for each floor on my house so I don't have to go up and down stairs whenever I want to look at something). This image was nabbed from an eBay seller and shows a version with little LED lights for extra illumination, but I've always found that as long as I have the open sides towards light, I have no problem seeing things. It's packed all folded up and hardly takes any space so I always leave it opened up. The bottom opening is big enough that a small definitive stamp fits entirely inside it.  Ryan |
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Post by feebletodix on Jan 26, 2019 8:53:21 GMT
One of these :-  Hi Power Aspheric Stand Magnifier lens dia 38mm, power 28D turned up in a mixed lot and it has been very useful. |
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Post by classicalstamps on Jan 26, 2019 10:56:33 GMT
I would use something connected to a large monitor. Cheap USB microscopes are easy to work with, and you can examine a lot of stamps quickly (and comfortably)
(or one with WIFI connected to an iPad, same concept)
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angore
Member
Posts: 5,342
What I collect: WW, focus on British Empire
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Post by angore on Jan 26, 2019 11:51:35 GMT
I would use a 10x. I have a hands free Lighthouse that I like the most, If you are into Washington-Franklin plate scratches then a USB microscope can be handy too.
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firstfrog2013
Member
Posts: 3,276
What I collect: BNA Liberia St Pierre U.S. Bolivia Turkey
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Post by firstfrog2013 on Jan 26, 2019 12:49:26 GMT
I start with my "el cheapo" little plastic 10x loupe.When I spot something worth further investigation I turn on the USB microscope and zoom in with a 16 inch screen image.
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coastwatcher
Departed
Rest in peace
Kentucky, USA
Posts: 506
What I collect: Currently focusing on US and possessions
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Post by coastwatcher on Jan 27, 2019 1:04:09 GMT
Not being very tech savvy, I had never heard of wireless USB microscopes until I read this thread. A quick Google and eBay search showed many different brands and prices. Does anyone have a specific brand and model that they have used and can recommend? I need one that will work with my iPad as I haven’t even turned on my computer in at least six months. Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.
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brightonpete
Departed
Rest in Peace
On a hike at Goodrich-Loomis
Posts: 5,110
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Post by brightonpete on Jan 27, 2019 2:57:16 GMT
Turn on your computer! I don't think any will work with an iPad, but maybe it will if you have an iPad Pro though...
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tobben63
Member
Stamp eat sleep repeat
Posts: 1,866
What I collect: I collect to much, world wide!
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Post by tobben63 on Jan 27, 2019 3:57:50 GMT
I use Leuchtturm Phonescoope. just clips it on your phone, open your photo app and study. Take a picture. If you phone is connected to wifi your picture will upload to your photosky (I use google). Then you can open your photo viewer on your PC and really study . The Phonescope and the stamp.  Photo taken at 1x on my phone  Photo taken at 2x on my phone  |
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coastwatcher
Departed
Rest in peace
Kentucky, USA
Posts: 506
What I collect: Currently focusing on US and possessions
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Post by coastwatcher on Jan 27, 2019 5:40:05 GMT
I don't think any will work with an iPad I have found quite a few that will work with my iPad by using wifi but I’m just not familiar with the various brands I’m running across. |
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coastwatcher
Departed
Rest in peace
Kentucky, USA
Posts: 506
What I collect: Currently focusing on US and possessions
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Post by coastwatcher on Jan 27, 2019 5:43:44 GMT
I use Leuchtturm Phonescoope. just clips it on your phone, open your photo app and study. Take a picture. If you phone is connected to wifi your picture will upload to your photosky (I use google). Then you can open your photo viewer on your PC and really study . The Phonescope and the stamp. Photo taken at 1x on my phone Photo taken at 2x on my phone Thanks tobben63, this looks promising. |
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angore
Member
Posts: 5,342
What I collect: WW, focus on British Empire
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Post by angore on Jan 27, 2019 11:34:15 GMT
I had a chance to post an image. It has 2 LEDs and using C size batteries.  |
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Ryan
Member
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 2,720
What I collect: If I have a catalogue for it, I collect it. And I have many catalogues ....
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Post by Ryan on Jan 27, 2019 13:37:28 GMT
I had a chance to post an image. It has 2 LEDs and using C size batteries. I have an older generation of that. Same shape, same C batteries, but it has a tiny incandescent bulb and if I remember correctly, a tiny tool to install the bulb. Ryan |
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brightonpete
Departed
Rest in Peace
On a hike at Goodrich-Loomis
Posts: 5,110
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Post by brightonpete on Jan 27, 2019 16:19:55 GMT
I don't think any will work with an iPad I have found quite a few that will work with my iPad by using wifi but I’m just not familiar with the various brands I’m running across. Oops, wifi... I seem to have missed that first time around! Sorry... |
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brightonpete
Departed
Rest in Peace
On a hike at Goodrich-Loomis
Posts: 5,110
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Post by brightonpete on Jan 27, 2019 16:28:16 GMT
I like that "phone scope" too! A Canadian distributor sells it for $34.95.
I think I'll buy it with my next order from them...
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