For those members who use binocular microscopes for fine detail work such as stone setting, what is the best range of magnification to go for? Thank you.
Helen
UK
Helen- Good to hear from you! I hope the “spring” is finally coming on at your place- still in the dreary wet of the 'tween seasons here in VA.
-The answer to your question is a mixed bag- the higher the magnification the smaller your field of view (Think up/down/left/right) and the more shallow the depth of field (think front to back or top surface to bottom).
In all honesty- it is what works for you- for me doing flat work or filing a 7x optivisor is great for a wider field but when I shift to my Bausch and Lomb Stereozoom its 7, 10x and up… and more limited field of view. I can gain some depth of field by decreasing my magnification (or even taking the headpiece lens off and just using the eyepieces with a simple no magnification lens/filter. My scope has the ability to use screw in 52mm camera lens filters- your scope may be different.
It also depends on your own eyes- each lens you add to the lens series for magnification reflects and absorbs some light- so good/balanced light for your work-station is paramount. I use 5200K balanced LED ring light for my scope mount and its assisted with 2 “Daylight” balanced work station lights. Adding proper lighting really improved my ability to see- I was shocked at the difference it made!
I get by for most work at 4x or 7x and for detail wax and ring work cleaning filigree or examining solder lines and stones . For appraisal and repair inspections as well as examining casting defects I hit 10x or greater to get the detail.
Hope this helps- another thing I gained a LOT of good info about my scope and its uses was joining a “Microscope forum” and reading about improving cytology slide examination (a FAR cry from jewelry)… dry and boring… but a lot of tips and tricks there that helped like “proper” lens cleaning, storage and lighting. (And I was able to locate wide field lenses to buy to boot!)
Hope all is well and I havent bored you to death- be safe and as always- at peace! If the rain stops I can finally till my garden to get the beans started!
Kerri