USB microscopes for very small SMT

Hi Joerg, I would want to know how far you can get the camera away from your PCB and get the magnification you need. In other words can you get the camera 1ft away and get (wag) 5 to 15 times magnification. If you can get room to work, it could be a very useful tool. Mike

I just wrote to them about that but it will take a day since they are in the UK. The ad says focus 10mm to infinity, whatever that means. Says zoom and focus are manual but I only see one adjuster ring. Strange. Unfortunately there is no online manual.

The image quality probably won't be stellar but it doesn't have to be for a soldering aid.

You'll want to keep the lens far enough away that it doesn't get gummed up by the flux fumes. Maybe a little USB fan on the netbook if you don't have a pocket fume extractor.

I guess you manually "zoom" by moving it closer? Then refocus.

can I reccomend a ccd camera with the C mount lens used for watching cash registers? Usually a .6 foot to infinity focusing range, and a.low cost USB frame grabber. Adding a small lens extension tube or ring(s) gives you the adjustment range you would need. Thats what I use.

Steve Roberts

Yes, good point. I was thinking about mounting a tiny little fan inside the plastic spacer to blow outwards. Doesn't need much airflow.

That would be tedious since it's mounted in a pivoting holder.

Initially I was thinking about something like that but I'd rather not use a frame grabber. One more think to schlepp and potentially forget. Thing is the USB versions of that I've seen so far were either outrageous in price or puny in image quality.

Off Topic, Anybody know of a gadget place in the US similar to I want one of these.

Howard

I have a real microscope, but I have done what you suggested as well. The key is to get a long focal length lens and then use c-mount spacers. The spacers allow more working distance. You can get sets (multiple lengths) of C-mount spacers pretty cheap on ebay. Joerg's desire not to use a frame grabber does complicate using a CCD camera, though you can get ethernet cameras from supercircuits.

Getting back to the maco, you need working room to solder. Regarding gunk on the lens, a c-mount lens will be threaded. I got a nice 75mm (very telephoto for CCD) on ebay for about $40.

I don't have the equations handy, but the macro spacer length is related to the focal length of the lens, so a 75mm focal length will use a longer spacer than say a 10mm fl. I set up a 12.5mm fl for use in night vision (imaging the screen) and the working distance is probably an inch. I can dig it up if Joerg gets serious.

I have a few Ernitec 12.5mm f1.3 as new old stock. but I think a longer focal length would be better.

Ebay item120338467673 would do the trick with a macro spacer.

Incidentally, I find using tools while viewing a TV screen very unnatural. While using a probe station like that is OK, soldering was another story. The B&L Stereozoom works much better.

Since you can't tote a Mantis around, how about a digital camera that has a good macro mode? Use it as a magnifier, on a mini-tripod, and it takes pictures, too!

John

A Mantis is fabulous to work under, if you can tolerate the moderate magnification. It's fine for most surface-mount stuff.

John

I might but let me first wait for an answer from Veho in the UK. Theirs cannot zoom below a factor of 20 but I might get used to it. 10-15 would have been nicer. If it can be focused 5-10" away at lowest zoom I'd be ok. I don't really care about the higher zoom ranges.

Everybody is different. I found that most folks at my previous company were like you, preferring stereo microscope. B&L, Leica, Zeiss. I can happily solder while looking at a screen in another direction.

There used to be, "The Sharper Image". But I heard they went bye bye, no idea if this announcement means something might be coming back:

I have one and it does nice macro. Usually in the briefcase when I do EMI jobs. But it won't live-stream via its USB cable. It can only download pics and brief movies.

Back east I've used a Mantis because that's all they had. Almost became sea-sick from its slow wobble and I usually never get sea-sick.

Must have been broken. I love mine.

John

Plenty of those on eBay Joerg. Just search for "USB microscope". They all look like the same unit.

James Arthur

You could end up with your head eaten off!

Best regards, Spehro Pefhany

But die happy.

John