scottyh777
Super Member
Can anyone recommend a Microscope I can purchase for stylus exam.Is there such a thing as a quality USB scope that can take pictures as well?
A Microscope Recommendation needed
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LAB3
AK Member
Good question.... I had a old Shure SEK-2 for several years that I sold here last year after I was done with it.. It was a learning curve to understand what you were looking at. "cat eyes" on each side of the sylus was the wear pattern. Did you read the Sticky here about a DIY scope? I would like to have a USB scope that "really" shows the stylus in a clear pic to the see the wear pattern. There are two of these for sale but they are missing the blocks that hold the sytlus, you can use "Silly Putty" or clay tohold them on the table.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Shure-SEK-2...pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item2a2f32cb2c
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Stanton681EEES
Addicted Member
Here is one my friend has and likes a lot. he has sent me pictures using this model.
http://www.digiblue.com/digital-blue-qx7-digital-computer-microscope/
I have the model below it and it works Ok I'm still getting the hang of it.
You can try looking at this sticky http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=225960
AFAIK USB picture taking is a function of software. I have a cheap ($30) usb microscope and the software included allows picture taking. Good luck.
AFAIK USB picture taking is a function of software. I have a cheap ($30) usb microscope and the software included allows picture taking. Good luck.
scottyh777
Super Member
I rolled the dice and bought this below.I had a $20 Amazon points to take off the price so,for $100 I decided give it a shot.Will report back.I do have low expectations but we
will see (or maybe not see).
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006FCI0G8/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
will see (or maybe not see).
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006FCI0G8/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
scottyh777
Super Member
Not sure if this will work.I tried it before with a cheap 40-50 X optical USB with mixed results or I should say unacceptable results.Have seen some great pics before of other people trying this.If not I can go study some small insects in the back yard
Doctordirt
Silence is Broken
The problem with these monoscopes is that they utilize stage lighting, which is basically transferring a 2D image. In order to see wear patterns on a stylus, you need to see "shadows" to get a more 3D view. Therefore, one would need more oblique lighting from above. A fiber optic light source would be the cat's meow here. Background color is also helpful. I use paint color chips to get suitable backgrounds to bring out features I need to see.
A stereo zoomscope would be the ideal scope for this application, but of course they are more expensive. I have found through work and play that these little guys linked below are pretty darn useful, but you would need to fabricate a stand to make this work for a stylus. They have good optics and can be used on a record. I replaced the stock penlight with a camparable maglight on mine.
http://www.coleparmer.com/Product/Cole_Parmer_Shop_Microscope_60x_magnification/WU-03890-30
A stereo zoomscope would be the ideal scope for this application, but of course they are more expensive. I have found through work and play that these little guys linked below are pretty darn useful, but you would need to fabricate a stand to make this work for a stylus. They have good optics and can be used on a record. I replaced the stock penlight with a camparable maglight on mine.
http://www.coleparmer.com/Product/Cole_Parmer_Shop_Microscope_60x_magnification/WU-03890-30
neobop
Well-Known Member
Looks like it will be fine as long as you can lower the stage enough to accommodate a cartridge.
You need to lose the light underneath and cover the hole. For stylus wear examination, get a couple of high intensity lights and illuminate from the sides. You're looking for the light reflected off the contact part of the tip. See the sticky. You won't need 1000X for this, it's too strong, but the other 3 magnifications are fine. Just be careful when focusing. I think it's best to put the objective lens right on the tip and back off, rather than focusing down. It will save your cantilever from a mishap if you go past the focal point.
neo
scottyh777
Super Member
That's true to.If I remove the stylus from the cart and place it underneath the scope will it fit? Probably fit but I see what your saying about it sitting low enough.
scottyh777
Super Member
I do have the lighting here and will utilize that as well.Thanks for the tip
Barncats
Super Member
As am I. I got an 8X scope with 10X eyepieces from Gladiator at the New England Walpole meet, and separately found some 30X eyepieces, so I can get 240X. Now working on butterfly lighting that can be moved around to best highlight the contours of what is being examined. Also wanting to figure out best way to shoot the image onto my digital SLR with macro lens -- 1) focus on projected image while camera is on a tripod to steady it 2) get an adapter to mount the camera body onto one of the eyepiece ports 3) get an inexpensive digital camera meant to slip into a 30mm port, but that's only 2 megapixel. Report to come.
It's good that a number of us are experimenting with this. Here in New England, Lex DM3 and thedelihaus are playing around with this, and others may be as well.
It's good that a number of us are experimenting with this. Here in New England, Lex DM3 and thedelihaus are playing around with this, and others may be as well.
Grbluen
Super Member
I've just setup my non-usb microscope purchased on fleabay for about 40 bucks. I'm in the process of building a x-y stage to make things easier. It definitely takes some practice!
That being said, I was able to pick-up a wear facet on a stylus that was generously donated by a fellow AKer. I think the stylus on the Clearaudio Maestro is possibly the most beautiful imaginable. The ZYX stylus might be beyond my skills at this point (just too tiny)
That being said, I was able to pick-up a wear facet on a stylus that was generously donated by a fellow AKer. I think the stylus on the Clearaudio Maestro is possibly the most beautiful imaginable. The ZYX stylus might be beyond my skills at this point (just too tiny)
LAB3
AK Member
Here is a tip for those who are trying this now. Purchase some kids "Silly Putty" (it does not stick to metal) to use on the scope table to use as a bed for the stylus to lay on upright. My instructions on my Shure SEK2 I sold said to use a flash light and shine it down the eye piece so a dot of light is on the table to help you locate the stylus when you start out. And use two lights on each side of the stylus like the light bar for SEK2 has. Please post up if any of your DIY scope really show wear patterns on the sides of a stylus. Good Luck.
Louis
Louis
eteller
Addicted Member
I picked up two Amscope microscopes as I have a eleven year old interested in science. I work for an ophthalmology group and have access to $85,000 Zeiss stuff. Let me tell you the Amscope stuff is darn nice, not a kids toy. For hobby stuff it's the schiznit, as a professional ophthalmic photographer I've got pics from one that will match what you can do from a $3k Leica.
www.amscope.com
www.amscope.com
