Gorgeous footage, thanks for a pleasant video. I don't fix watches, rather specimen microscopy, but your video style is lovely and watchable regardless of subject matter.

@WatchWithMike

Ай бұрын

That's very nice of you to say! Thanks for watching! 😁

Mike, I'm so happy to have come across your channel. It's a sight for sore eyes without any exaggeration. I'm into watches myself and have been so for many years. And I'm really thinking about taking something apart, which is not really pricey (I can't call any watch "junk" since it has its own story) after having studied the basics of watch-making. The best option to start with would be a pocket watch. It's really surprising that you have a decent amount of tools (to say nothing of this amazing microscope you are showing in this video and which is going to take you to another level), taking into consideration the fact that you have been repairing watches for about two years by now. I find your videos truly inspiring and motivational. Thanks for sharing your discoveries and letting people follow you on the way to perfection. Wish you a million subscribers!

@WatchWithMike

7 ай бұрын

Wow, this is the best comment ever! Thank you so much for your kind words. I accept your wishes for 1 million subscribers, and I am glad to have you along on the journey! 😁👍🏼❤️

@artistkirills

7 ай бұрын

Thank you so much! I subscribed to your channel right away!@@WatchWithMike

Congratulatios Mike.Thank you for the video.

@WatchWithMike

7 ай бұрын

Thank you too, I appreciate you watching!

Awesome piece of gear mike! You give me great idea for upgrading my setup now! Thanks for the video, much appreciated!

@WatchWithMike

7 ай бұрын

You can never have too much gear 😀 Nice work on your channel! I just subbed. 👍🏼

Gorgeous photography! Love the detail! 😊

@WatchWithMike

7 ай бұрын

Thank you Sarah! ❤️❤️❤️

I'm really enjoying your channel. Great videos! I wish I had your artistic eye when making thumbnails. They are excellent. I'm looking at a possible upgrade for my microscope camera. I wish an auto-focus was in the budget, but I'd like to at least upgrade it to a 4K camera to match my other cameras I film with. Great work again Mike! Keep it up!

@WatchWithMike

6 ай бұрын

Thanks Adam! 😁 I think auto focus on a microscope camera is a paradox, because you are constantly changing the focus on the scope in and out manually to concentrate on different surfaces. The camera has no way of controlling the focus knob on the microscope. Thanks for the kind words of encouragement on the channel! I was a photography/graphics geek long before I was a watch repair nerd, so you can see my past-life experience (or lack of) filtering through. I felt like my watchmaking skills were being limited by my eyesight (or lack of, lol) but this microscope is a game changer for me! I feel so empowered. 😁

Wow! Now that is a neat piece of kit!!! Mike you have more tools than some pros I know! That is incredible! Had to google the diameter of the dime haha! We don't have those. Super tiny watch. Reminds me of a Rotary that I got from my grandmother that is now at least 60 years old. Maybe you can get some form of a swivel vice that could enhance your grip? This is the first time that I have seen screws on the balance wheel for the spring. Your wife is awesome for supporting you! Hope you doing well Mike!

@WatchWithMike

7 ай бұрын

Hi Johan! Thanks for the nice words, my wife is the best! I also have some family watches that are small ladies movements, so these practice watches might give me some useful skills. I should've said 10¢ coin instead of dime. Are your 10¢ coins the smallest as well? I need to come up with some object to use for scale that's internationally recognized!

Very nice addition Mike! The stereo microscope is such a nice piece of kit for watchmaking 👍 That 4k microscope camera looks great too! I may need to upgrade my 1080p one now. 😄

@WatchWithMike

7 ай бұрын

AWD, I know, there is a desire to always have the latest and greatest, right? 😁 I am immensely pleased with how well the microscope has been working. It's really a joy to use… My old digital microscope is starting to feel lonely. So sad!

@awdturbopowah773

7 ай бұрын

​@@WatchWithMike Haha desire, more like a disease sometimes I think! 😂 If you really think the old one will just sit and collect dust now, you can always give it away to a subscriber like Horology Biology did, or cannibalize it for a future project (I was always curious if they'd be useful mounted to watchmakers lathe, or even pivot polishing machine, etc).

Marvelous, congrats

@WatchWithMike

4 ай бұрын

Thanks Roberto, I appreciate you watching! 😁

lenses lenses lenses will give you the room you need.

@WatchWithMike

6 ай бұрын

YES!!! I added a .5 Barlow lens (and eventually a .7) in my last video and it gave me the distance I needed! kzread.info/dash/bejne/f5uCytmunqitYLA.htmlsi=9p_N8cdM7Hal-cXC

Couple of tips Mike. You can let the power out of mainsprings if you have a functional crown fitted. Just move the click over while slowly letting the crown slip through your fingers. Saves faffing about with a screwdriver on the ratchet wheel, plus less chance to damage screw or cause scratches. Also, a bit of rodico under your movement holder helps keep it securely in place. Love the new setup btw.

@WatchWithMike

7 ай бұрын

Thanks for the compliment and the tips! I wasn't sure if holding the crown was going to work when I let the mainspring down, since the setting lever spring was broken and the winding stem was flipping between the setting and winding position. As I rewatch the video, I can see the crown spinning so that probably would've worked, lol! I like the idea of using Rodico to steady everything up. So many great uses for that product! 😁

What a fantastic video !!!! I have to say I really enjoy the casual approach !!!! and the illustration of the use of the microscope is on point with me since im also learning to use this new tool. did you have the Barlow lens ? because im pretty sure it is the difference in working space.

@WatchWithMike

2 ай бұрын

Thank you Sonny! Video number two in this series really fine tunes the set up, and addresses your question about using a Barlow lens. 😁

Hi Mike, if you fit a 0.5x Barlow lens available from Amscope you will still get great magnification but also much improved clearance under the microscope for use of tools such as screwdrivers etc. Great video by the way!👍

@leowatkins3718

7 ай бұрын

I have a 0.5 barlow lens on mine (ebay). Without it the hight was a little low on some screwdrivers.

@MexicoBeachFloridaLiving

7 ай бұрын

I use a Barlow .5x lens and I provides good working distance.

@awdturbopowah773

7 ай бұрын

Great tip! Came to comments to mention it too. I use a .5x and also have a .75x for a nice in-between level too.

@WatchWithMike

7 ай бұрын

Adam, thank you! This microscope came with two Barlow lenses, a .5 X and a 2.0 X. I was so intent on getting the camera working that I forgot I had them. Going to give it a try! 😁

I just got the Eakins version of this microscope. I'm loving it. Much better than my digital microscope. What I thought was clean wasn't. Some parts that I thought were fine, had issues. I'm still waiting on the camera to show up to have a complete setup.

@WatchWithMike

6 ай бұрын

Glad you are enjoying your microscope! Under the scope, even the smallest imperfection looks like a gigantic monster. Crazy! 😂

Dear Mike, thank you for a very interesting video. First thing first, what I see here is that the balance tack is missing.

@WatchWithMike

22 күн бұрын

This movement was perfect to tear apart… Thanks for watching!

Nice added tool Mike. My wife would kill me if I tried to add this to my tool kit! I guess I'm stuck with the old eye loop. Maybe with that magnifier, try to get that old Bulova running just for fun?

@WatchWithMike

7 ай бұрын

Hi Robert, this is definitely a piece of gear that would be hard to keep secret, lol! I I will keep working on that Bulova ladies movement. I have three others that are similar, so I have a nice margin of error if something goes wrong. 😮😁

Adding a Barlow lens will increase your working distance, although you will lose some magnification.

@WatchWithMike

7 ай бұрын

Hi William, yes! The microscope came with two Barlow lenses. I haven't tried them yet… I'm going to give them a try!

I've used an AMScope for a long while now and I have never used anything since. It is a learning curve, but once you use it for a while you wonder why you didn't do it sooner.

@WatchWithMike

7 ай бұрын

Perfectly said! I'm still awkward working with the scope, but it is empowering to have that level of vision. More to come… 😄

You need to buy "Rodico" which will hold parts in place so you don't need fingers. Also use pegwood sharpened to a point. These parts are too small for our huge fingers.

@WatchWithMike

2 ай бұрын

Pegwood and Rodico are definitely part of my regimen! I couldn't agree more!

Amazing quality, can you recommend some good quality tweezers like the thicker ones you use? Seem to have allot of stability.

@WatchWithMike

4 ай бұрын

Thanks! I have been using Dumont tweezers. The strong ones are Dumont #A HP - currently on sale at Esslinger.com for $17. My favorite fine tweezers are Dumont #0C90, also reasonably priced at Esslinger. Good luck!

Thanks!!! Enjoyed the video. Ladies watches are insanely small.

@WatchWithMike

7 ай бұрын

I figured this super tiny movement would be the perfect test for a microscope. I also have some ladies watches that were in the family, that need a service, but I've always been afraid to work on something that small. The microscope is a game changer! 😁

A wonderful toy! :) 🕐⚙️🍸

@WatchWithMike

7 ай бұрын

Agreed! I can't wait to play some more! 😁

word of advice. you know you can hook your top camera up to a monitor or tv that has an hdmi in-put. That how i plan on setting up my scope when i get it.

@WatchWithMike

Ай бұрын

Yes, my scope outputs to an HDMI switcher that also displays my other cameras to a 4k monitor. I use it frequently to double check my focus when I'm recording.

@coryjeffreys5146

Ай бұрын

@@WatchWithMike yeah very cool toy that's for sure. I am new to your channel and I would like to get into it myself once I get some things ironed out in my life but good luck and I will definitely be checking out your videos.

First.. and an awesome video! 🤙🏼

@WatchWithMike

7 ай бұрын

@Daud76, Thanks! It's taken me three weeks to fine-tune the microscope to this point. I'm very happy with the results! 😄

@Daud76

7 ай бұрын

@@WatchWithMike Most welcome. 😉 Soon your loupes will be at the back of your drawer and turn into dust magnets. 😄

@WatchWithMike

7 ай бұрын

@@Daud76 lol, when I use a lupe on camera all the audience sees is the back of my head. 😂😂

@Daud76

7 ай бұрын

@@WatchWithMike Rather see it as a "cameo appearance". 😄

You need to get a borrow lens and it would raise your microscope up to give you more clearance to work under it

@WatchWithMike

5 ай бұрын

100% correct! In my second video, I did just that… I added a .5 Barlow lens which made a huge difference! I eventually settled on a .7 magnification Barlow lens which gives me the best combination of magnification and working distance. I have a link to my second video in the description if you would like to watch. 😁

Hi Mike, Just subscribed, like your stuff. I too am a serious hobbyist watchmaker! Question: Is you field of view the same through the microscope objectives as is is through the camera with the .35x reduction lens on the camera? Some microscopy web sites list the .5x reduction camera adapter for the 1/1.8" Sony chip in your camera.

@shingling66

4 ай бұрын

meant to say sony image sensor

@shingling66

4 ай бұрын

I'm interested in seeing the same amount of the watch in view in both the camera and the microscope

@WatchWithMike

4 ай бұрын

Hi Jeffrey, thanks for subbing and following the channel! When I purchased the scope, I also bought several reduction lenses and camera mount accessories. I ended up with the .35X adapter and a 5 mm spacer/coupler, and that seem to be the perfect fit. Plus, the camera didn't stick up as high as some of the other adapter combinations, which didn't feel stable and were at risk for getting damaged because they extended so far above the microscope. The field of view of the recorded image is exactly the same as what I am seeing through the eyepieces, with the exception of slight masking at the top and bottom, and vignette on the left and right of the video image. This is due to trying to record a circular (microscope optics) image onto a rectangular video sensor. Perhaps a .5x camera lens would fill the video image more completely, but at the expense of cropping. I would rather have the extra image on the video, and crop as needed when I edit. Hope that helps! 😁

@shingling66

4 ай бұрын

That helps alot. Thank you!

Great video Mike!! Thank you .. I too am a fledgling watch smith hobbyist, as I have a sizable collection and want to learn as much as I can to repair all my watches, same as I use to do back in the day with my old camaro. The trinocular scope ... do you find the 8" working distance is adequate?

@WatchWithMike

2 ай бұрын

Hi J D, 8" working distance is more than adequate. Also, remember that you can tilt the scope head so you're seeing the subject slightly from the side. It's enough that you have infinite space directly above the work. Good luck with your watchmaking adventures, I appreciate you watching! 😁

@jd7448

2 ай бұрын

@@WatchWithMike ... Got it .. I see that Barlow 0.5 adapter is the winner! Given all the various boom Amscope models, and your set up .. would you change or add anything? I see the Amscope has 7x -45x and 7x - 90x ... is the 7x-90x optics the best option?

@WatchWithMike

2 ай бұрын

@@jd7448 I recently upgraded to a .7 power Barlow lens, which is the best combination of magnification and working distance for me. My microscope goes to 4.5 times magnification, which I think is great for watchmaking!

I want one so bad.:(

@WatchWithMike

Ай бұрын

It really was a game changer for me!

hi mike im watching your youtube videos can i ask what software you use for your microscope please

@WatchWithMike

5 ай бұрын

@watchwhisper - I don't use any software with the microscope, rather I just record video onto the built-in micro SD card slot. Then I offload the video to Adobe Premiere for editing. The microscope comes with software to do measuring and screen recording, I think… But I haven't used it. Hope that helps!

@watchwhisper

5 ай бұрын

Thank you I’m trying to get my videos sorted but I’m not good I’m still learning I’ve only done it for few months thank you

Hi Mike ! first of all , love your videos ! I recently bought a microscope camera similar to yours. but i notice when i zoom in, the image of the videostream is getting darker. As if the camera does not catch as much light, as i can see through my eyepieces. Do you had the same problem? and how to fix that ? any ideas ? Thanks in advance already ! keep up your great work and videos !

@WatchWithMike

2 ай бұрын

Hi Ron, thanks for the nice words! An image getting darker when you zoom in is normal. There's two ways to "fix" the issue as it happens… First, turn up your lighting source if it is variable. Second, make sure auto exposure on your camera is turned on. If you are using manual exposure, like I am, then you will need to get a new exposure setting. On my Hayear camera, the exposure setting feature is called "one push". If a subject appears dark then I turn my ring light to about 1/4 brightness, let the camera do an auto exposure, and then lock the exposure using the one push setting. Then I can use my ring light adjustment to brighten up the image as needed. It seems like a lot of steps, but I've gotten used to it and it gives pretty good results.

@ronhouben3649

2 ай бұрын

@@WatchWithMike Thanks for the advice ! i will for sure look into it. thanks a million !

@ronhouben3649

22 күн бұрын

@@WatchWithMike Hi Mike, i was wondering something else. you have a 3 camera setup + the microscope with camera. When you are working on a watch and your are recording it. how do you work ? U only use the 3 camera setup and you work with eye loupe ? or do you watch what your doing on a screen? or do you do always work from the microscope? because then ur overhead camera can't be used ? I bought a canon camera to record my work, but now it's on a tripod right in front of my on my desk. but i don't like the tilted view , i really love to have a straight from above view, but i always work on my microscope mostly, so i cant really go overhead with my canon camera....

@WatchWithMike

21 күн бұрын

@@ronhouben3649 Hi Ron, great question. I "cheat" the angle of my overhead camera and my microscope at slight opposite angles, so the top camera can see what is under the microscope. More specifically, I tilt the microscope eye pieces down toward me so I am working more forward, and the top down camera is not directly above, but rather behind slightly, so both cameras can see what's in the middle of my work surface.

@ronhouben3649

21 күн бұрын

@@WatchWithMike oh great tip Mike and very clever! What overhead mount do you use for the camera? Is it an arm that is clamped on the desk?

I like the brand name of your first microscope screen: “TomLov…” 😂

@WatchWithMike

7 ай бұрын

I could spend all day laughing at some of the names of imported products! 😂😂😂

@mokumholland5640

7 ай бұрын

@@WatchWithMike well remember,Mike. Keep all comments respectful…🤣

@WatchWithMike

7 ай бұрын

@@mokumholland5640 I try, Tom! This channel is a happy place! 😁

@mokumholland5640

7 ай бұрын

@@WatchWithMike So I noticed. You are investing a lot in your watchmaking!

@WatchWithMike

7 ай бұрын

@@mokumholland5640 Hi Tom, yes! I am completely committed to the hobby. Hey, I have to apologize… It completely flew over my head that you commented on the name of my smaller microscope, and it has your name in it! Tom! I completely missed that. I thought it was just a nonsense name… No wonder you noticed it! 🙈😁

Nice setup, but I have a question about this camera, I'm currently looking for one that can provide 4k@30fps and 1080p@60fps. Could you please make a short test with video record to check that it can provide real 60 fps at 1080p over HDMI? I've already tested myself and asked some reviewers to test a bunch of cameras (total 8 different models, most are with the same IMX334 sensor), they all claimed in the description to provide 30 fps at 4k, 60 fps at 1080p and had price 100-200$, but all of them provide fake 60 fps at 1080p, it is in reality interpolated 30 fps even when monitor recognizes signal as 60 fps (it updates image every 2 frames, and frame in-between is interpolation with averaging of half transparent previous and next frames). The cheapest one with similar sensor those can provide real 60 fps without interpolation are 400$+ (they are able to provide it at both 1080p and 4k tho), that is kinda expensive especially when I mostly need 60 fps only at 1080p. Ideally the microscope camera must be connected only over HDMI directly to a monitor, and with the monitor screen recorded on a smartphone/camera at 60 fps, but if you have a video capture card like Elgato that can reliably capture 60 fps signal, it will be also ok. I will be able then to step frame by frame on youtube with "" buttons or on a pc video player and see what is real framerate of that camera. P.S. Also would like to see this camera menu when connected over HDMI, there are any videos, even on manufacturer channel, showing it.

@WatchWithMike

7 ай бұрын

I will see what I can do to test whether the camera is recording real 60 FPS at 1080P. I am not doing any screen capture via HDMI, rather recording via the internal microSD card. If there is a setting to record at HD 60 then I will let you know what the results are. Here is a link to the camera manual which shows the options in the on screen menus. Hope it helps answer your questions! www.hayear.com/upload/down/hy6110shuomingshuv12banzhongxingyingyu1.pdf

@rokko1337

7 ай бұрын

​@@WatchWithMikeThank you for the manual. As for recording on SD card, yes they all can record at 60 fps, tho with lower compressed quality compared to uncompressed HDMI signal. Here is an example of the test made by one of the reviewers I asked (camera supposed to output 1080p@60fps and even 4k@60fps in 4:3 ratio, but it can't in reality): kzread.info/dash/bejne/aodtprmQmM7ggZs.html In the end of it he shows how interpolated 60 fps over HDMI looks, and real 60 fps recorded on SD card and also says that it is lower quality compared to HDMI.

@WatchWithMike

7 ай бұрын

@@rokko1337 I understand that the compression is higher when you record to the SD card. For my use it is acceptable! What is the application you are using the camera for that you require 60 frames per second?

@rokko1337

7 ай бұрын

@@WatchWithMike Microsoldering and working with hot air, where I need higher fps for better coordination between hands and eyes, when working with tiny elements. I know stereoscopic microscope is better for this kind of work, but it gives neck pain and eye strain when working for a long time, also working distance to PCB with monocular objective and camera setup can be 20-30 cm and even more (with stereoscope you are kinda limited because of the eyepiece placement). And I'm using a parfocal monocular objective (objects stays in focus in all zoom range without a need to change working distance), so no need to catch focus with tuning of working distance every time when I need to change field of view, just turn a zooming ring and continue soldering.

@rokko1337

7 ай бұрын

@@WatchWithMike Btw I suppose you would like to use polarized filter while working with a lot of shiny surfaces. CPL filters for photo cameras are pretty cheap and come in large variety of diameters so there must be a size for your microscope, and you also need second polarized filter on that ring light, the easiest way is to buy polarized plastic film (it's used for LCDs, car instrumental panels, etc. and is super cheap), then cut annulus out of it and stick it to the ring light. There are also exist polarized ring lights with both filters inbuilt and even graduated scale for an easy way to set level of polarization that you need, but they cost 250$+.

yepp its very nice the 4k maybe anti glair light ....

@WatchWithMike

7 ай бұрын

Thanks Elder Pinto!

@ElderPinto254

7 ай бұрын

@@WatchWithMike love the camera i have 4k with the sony sensor is this the same one ??? ... my camera was more exspensive than my microscope hahahaha😁🤣 wauw people look at that microscope and think its exspensive than i say see that little blackbox lol thats the most exspensive

@WatchWithMike

7 ай бұрын

@@ElderPinto254 the sensor in this camera is the Sony 1/1.8 inch IMX334. It's a pretty small sensor, which I believe was designed for phones. Sony makes lots of sensors… I have switched from being a Nikon fan boy to Sony. Good stuff!

@ElderPinto254

7 ай бұрын

yepp like sony its good stuff and yess the past cameras always nikon...my dad always used konica minolta but the are long gone so sad .... @@WatchWithMike

You must be made of money mate

@WatchWithMike

2 ай бұрын

Lol, I wish! The whole microscope set up was about $900 US. Watchmaking as a whole is not cheap, and compared to most watchmaking equipment out there, the microscope provides a lot of bang for the money!

Save some women for the rest of us!

@WatchWithMike

2 ай бұрын

I've got my fill, you should be good!