microscopes for sale on ebay as of 24th May 2025 fyi

[Dani Girl]

sourced these models from the scopes to buy and avoid thread so I guess they'd be suitable for folk starting out.

a few olympus scopes popped up too, pricier. Leica have a new scope too that's like 3 or 4x the price of a Leica A60F, a trinocular model called the S9D and there's another called the Leica Ivesta 3 which are pricey beasties.

SOMEONE RECOMMENDED AMSCOPE TO ME, DO FOLK HAVE ANY OPINIONS ON THEM? I HEARD SOMEONE SAY TODAY THEIR LED LIGHT RINGS AND STANDS ARE TOP QUALITY AT AFFORDABLE PRICES.


THOSE SMZs sure pop up with lots of results. Perhaps anyone who has one could comment on how good they are for engraving ...maybe I could like rename this list if anyone wanted to make it a frequently updated thread that folk could post for other's benefits new engraver suitable scopes, just an idea.

Nikon SMZ-1 Stereo Microscope for sale online | eBay Australia

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Nikon SMZ-1 Stereo Microscope at the best online prices at eBay Australia!

www.ebay.com.au

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DOES ANYONE THINK THE ONE ABOVE COULD BE USED FOR STREAMING VIDEO OF STONE SETTING AND ENGRAVING CLOSE UP WITH A REDUCER LENS TO INCREASE THE DISTANCE?

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Nikon SMZ-2B SMZ2B Microscope Head | eBay Australia

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Nikon SMZ-2B SMZ2B Microscope Head at the best online prices at eBay Australia!

www.ebay.com.au

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[Dani Girl]

I'd also like to share this video which I learned heaps from and agreed with everything he said (especially pros and cons on the different kinds of scope arms).

in another of his videos he briefly mentions the make of camcorder mount he has stuck to the front of his scope. I always felt like the camera mounting to behind the scope feels kind of upside down on the TV. I'm guessing it falls off though as he's glad wrapped or taped it on to his extremely expensive Leica scope.

 

[Dani Girl]

further... the camcorder I bought and only used once was a semi success. it worked and plugged into a TV by the old coloured cables but newer ones have hdmi which would he better. what would have improved it further would be gluing an adaptor to the front and adding a close focus lens (I think) so I could get in closer without losing focus.

 

[ByrnBucks]

I am unsure if they have higher priced higher quality models, but Amscope in the 300$ range is only useable for short periods before your head starts hurting from your eyes being strained to compensate for the poor optics. It will help get someone started for sure. Have a great weekend. BB

 

[Dani Girl]

Olympus Trinocular Microscope SZ61TR with 2x WHSZ10X-H/22 | eBay Australia

In Great condition with minor scuffs and rub marks form mounts.

ebay.us

 

[sam]

I would never assume Amscope is "top quality", but some people are content with them. One of my watchmaker friends uses one. Personally, I think buying a used Meiji EMZ-5 makes a lot more sense.

I tested 8 or 10 chinese scopes several years ago for a jewelers supply company, and not a single one was suitable. In fact my reply to one was "if you told me I could keep all of these microscopes, I would take them straight to the trash bin". Maybe they're better now? Then there's the obvious inconsistency of manufacturing that China is famous for. Three good ones, 2 bad ones, etc, etc.

Buy once, cry once. Like eyeglasses, my eyes deserve nothing less than the best optics i can put in front of them.

 

[JJ Roberts]

Master engraver Thierry Duguet was engraving at the Chantilly gun show and let me look at his AM microscope I liked it and purchased one and use it when engraving game scene's J.J.

 

[Adder]

I own a Nikon SMZ-1 Stereo Microscope. Used it for some years. It`s old but useful for engraving. Not the same quality as Leica series. Sorry, can`t tell if it`s better than a Amscope.

Jørn-Ove

 

[Leland Davis]

My first microscope was an AMScope. Not knowing any different it worked. Then I found a used EMZ- 5 it was so much better. I used it for a couple years and thought it was the best. Then a used Leica A60 come up for sale on the cafe wow what a difference. I tell people the Mejji is a Cadillac but the Leica is a Ferrari. If a Leica is out of the question I would look for a used EMZ-5 over anything AMScope has.

 

[sam]

When you buy Leica, Zeiss, Meiji, you can rest assured you're getting a perfect microscope. As I said earlier, Chinese quality control is very unreliable so one good microscope doesn't guarantee the ones behind it on the assembly line are as good.

This was a comparison I did at the JCK Show between a Meiji EMZ-5 and a chinese knockoff that were sitting next to each other at a jewelry supply company. Granted it's not a scientific comparison, but it's painfully obvious that the Chinese scope is dim and dingy compared to the Meiji. There are few shortcuts that can be taken with optics. The best optics are made of superior glass and manufactured to exceedingly tight tolerances. In order to make a microscope 1/4th the cost corners must be cut. This is an example of the outcome.

This was not an Amscope brand, but like Harbor Freight products, they are all rumored to be made in the same couple of factories.

 

[dhall]

It doesn't get any more vivid than these side-by-side photos! So glad you posted these Sam.

Thank you,
Doug

 

[Dani Girl]

Pardon our interruption...

I'm guessing this isn't a good brand name. they claim the camera that comes with it offers superb images and can have usb or hdmi. new for that price is cheap for a tri

 

[Dani Girl]

precisely how good or bad is the smz-2t? the camera part I guess would be as good as the camera you plug into it? thanks

 

[Dani Girl]

Pardon our interruption...

would anyone have tried a $150 scope stand?

 

[Dani Girl]

MEIJI EMZ-TR Microscope with stand and light | eBay Australia

Used microscope with camera (Nikon Coolpix 5700) adapter, stand and light.

ebay.us

what would this scope need to work for streaming engraving and stone setting video? a lens reducer, ring light... camera.

I have an olympus pen EPL-1 which I'm planning to try out with this lens and probably these spacers which a youtube video said makes it basically a higher zoom macro (close focus)

 

[Dani Girl]

should I buy an smz-2t for online video and image onto TV during in person lessons? should I buy the meiji emz-tr and tell him to keep the fibre optic light? sure I'd like a leica ivesta but the budget I'm comfortable with for this doesn't get anywhere near that at present.

 

[ByrnBucks]

Good evening Dani,
At this price and combination of various bits and pieces, no one will be able to tell you if it’s gonna work.

I’v made many things “work” over the years, as many here have assuredly done. Speaking of more than just engravings equipment of course.

That being said cobbling things together is just something you just have to try for yourself and cross your fingers.

There’s no harm in trying you might end up with something useful… you might end up with something thats hard to throw away cause you spent time and money on it.

Go for it if you think everything works out on paper.
Have a great week. BB

 

[Dani Girl]

I see a meiji 8tr for sale... it's feeling like a likely contender. I sent meiji an email asking how the stand attaches... seller reckons the hundred dollar ring mount stand I was looking at wouldn't work... didn't say why. if I buy by PayPal and this guy is selling a dud I'd be covered I think.

 

[Doctorslava]

I see a meiji 8tr for sale... it's feeling like a likely contender. I sent meiji an email asking how the stand attaches... seller reckons the hundred dollar ring mount stand I was looking at wouldn't work... didn't say why. if I buy by PayPal and this guy is selling a dud I'd be covered I think.

You will need two items. 84.5mm focusing ring/holder, and a stand with a boom or other type of the arm.

 

[Dani Girl]

You will need two items. 84.5mm focusing ring/holder, and a stand with a boom or other type of the arm.

well this claims to be 84mm and pictures it holding a meiji. if need be one could shave a bit off the inside of the ring