Some Pros & Cons

I've been playing just a little with the Dino-Lite digital microscope I got at the Pittsburgh ANA show last week. Once the software is installed and running, you just plug it in to your computer's USB port and you see what it's looking at. The basics of operation are easy enough, but it'll be awhile before I have a satisfying setup.

I still need to get a good natural spectrum light. Beyond that, it's clear that I'll have to play with the software adjustments or deal with background (or foreground) color & darkness to get decent shots. The biggest con so far is that good focus does not seem to be constant over the rectangular field. The ends in the long dimension are out of focus, so that you can't fill the image with a completely in-focus slab.

Overall, my initial impression is mostly positive. I think I'll soon be able to get a good, consistent set of images of all my coins. I will replace existing registry images with them when that time comes. And I'll have more to say about the Dino-Lite as well.

For now, here's the 1821 large cent I picked up in Pittsburgh. The focus is a tad off, and there's some glare from the slab, but it looks pretty much like the coin. And somebody please slap me if I get another pricey coin this year. I've almost doubled my annual allowance already, and I need to save for some home renovation.