• When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

What power/magnification/brand loupe do you use?

Started by midijab-migration,

15 posts in this topic

midijab-migration

midijab-migration

Posted
Posted

I was thinking of getting a new loupe as the "cheapie" one I have seems easily distorted and makes it hard to focus easily and get a good look at coins quickly when evaluating coins at the shows. At the last ANA show a dealer had let me use her Ziess loupe, and boy, was that thing great! I didn't ask her what power it was or did I pay any real attention to it (as it made the coin come alive!). All I know is it was a white case fold out magnifier about an inch in diameter. What are the better loupes out there? What magnification level should I be looking for?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • Member: Seasoned Veteran
DWLange

DWLange

Posted
  • Member: Seasoned Veteran
Posted

Zeiss is the only brand I use. I've found that the others have too much periperal distortion. I use the 3x6x9 power combination, as do a number of our graders. I haven't checked on prices lately, but I believe this model lists about $85-90.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
RGT

RGT

Posted
Posted

I've heard that Zeiss is the best, but the price shows it. I went a slightly cheaper route and bought a Hastings triplet 7x for grading and a 20x for checking varieties. As I recall, these were about $40 each.

 

That 3x6x9 Zeiss David mentioned seems to be more versitle if you think you need varrying power though.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
IGWT

IGWT

Posted
Posted

I use a Bausch & Lomb 10X Triplet Loupe (for variety attributions, good look at metal flow, polish v. hair lines, etc.) and find that it has very little spherical aberration. I think that they're available for $45-50.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Hoot

Hoot

Posted
Posted

I have both the Zeiss and the B&L loupes. I carry the Zeiss with me to shows, etc., as it offers the convenience of 3x, 6x, or the combined 9x powers with no distortion. Great field of vision for the 6x. At home, I typically use my 7x B&L triplet and find that overall, I like that loupe best. I can see the entirety of a nickel through it, and that's a wide enough field to do effective work with any coin. I use my B&L 10x when I want to see minutiae. I rarely use that loupe, but it's very clear and handy when necessary. With the right lighting, I find that nearly anything I need to see can be seen with the loupes I have.

 

Hoot

Link to comment
Share on other sites
EZ_E

EZ_E

Posted
Posted
Zeiss is the only brand I use. I've found that the others have too much periperal distortion. I use the 3x6x9 power combination, as do a number of our graders. I haven't checked on prices lately, but I believe this model lists about $85-90.

 

Midijab,

 

This is the absolute best optic available, hands-down, no distortion and very durable.

 

They will run you close to $116-125 now. There is usually an add in the Numismatist advertising them. It has two retractable lenses: One is 3X magnification and the other is 6X magnification. Combined, they offer 9X mag.

 

I had problems ordering them. I tried from AmberAmerica via a websearch and received a cracked lens and much attitude. I finally bought one from an optometrist out of Ohio but I forget the name now.

 

p.s. I had bought one as a gift for a friend as well and he is still slapping himself for not getting one over 20 years ago. Do not settle for a cheap, knock-off model.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Go to topic listing