The Ergonomics of Microscope Soldering:  Direct Optical View vs Camera/Monitor - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2020, 12:46:11 am
content: It's hard to concisely frame all the questions, but here's a try...When using a microscope do you prefer to solder(ie, watch/direct the position of your soldering iron and utensils as you solder/de-solder parts on a PCB)while looking through a stereo microscopeor while viewing via a camera/monitor?In other words, assuming you need a microscope to aid with magnification which do you find easiest/most natural/most enjoyable - direct optical view or camera/monitor view?Does your preference depend on how much time you will be soldering? I.e., assuming you could use either your preferred direct optical microscope or your preferred camera/monitor microscope, which would you prefer if:a. you were just going to work on a few solder joints for 10-15 minutes?b. spend an hour or two soldering?c. spend most of the day soldering?In general, do you prefer to solder while standing or sitting, or some of both?If the budget isn't the primary issue, is there any reason to not go with both (ie, a simulfocal so you could use both direct optical view and the camera/monitor setup)?These questions are mostly driven by personal use cases as opposed to making youtube videos, etc. but maybe some of the reason for camera/monitor view is to enable the sharing of images for collaboration support, Q&A, etc.?Any thoughts or comments related are A-OK. Thx

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2020, 12:58:38 am
content: It’s a no-brainer: a stereo optical microscope.Screens, especially modern digital ones, have latency that is absolutely maddening, since you need VERY fast visual feedback when you are making tiny, sub-millimeter movements. The other thing is the “stereo” part: without binocular vision, depth perception is impaired. In particular for inspection, a stereo microscope makes a huge difference.

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2020, 02:33:44 am
content: Tooki, thanks.I thought I had deleted this in this forum, and put it here:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/beginners/the-ergonomics-of-microscope-soldering-direct-optical-view-vs-cameramo-257888/but you must have seen it for the minute or so it was up in this forum.I appreciate your advice. EFPlease go here:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/beginners/the-ergonomics-of-microscope-soldering-direct-optical-view-vs-cameramo-257888/for this thread.ThxTHIS THREAD IN THIS FORUM CLOSED (& MOVED TO ABOVE LINK).

author: richnormand
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 22, 2020, 03:47:39 am
content: I tried both over the years for detailed work (watches and such), smd rework and repairs.Via the camera you lose the 3D vision that you get from a true binocular microscope. I found that makes quite a difference. In addition I tried several types of high res camera, both vidicon, tri-ccd and fast ccd and the slight lag was always noticeable to me while working.Now I have a Lomo true binocular (complete independent optical paths for each eye, not just a split at the oculars) that is for performing dissections. It has good colour rendition and excellent 3D.I added a variable ring illuminator, polarised light source and analyser that can be affixed to the protective UV filter glass to protect the optics from soldering fumes in front of the lenses.The oculars are adjusted for my prescription so I only have to flip my glasses on my forehead when I use the microscope.Works for me.

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2020, 04:45:15 am
content: Please go here:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/beginners/the-ergonomics-of-microscope-soldering-direct-optical-view-vs-cameramo-257888/for this thread.ThxTHIS THREAD IN THIS FORUM IS CLOSED (& MOVED TO ABOVE LINK).