Stylus inspection with USB microscope

I have been trying to do inspections with USB microscopes for a while now, and am having no success. I've tried a few, and just can't get the knack of these things. I have seen some extremely detailed examination photos on the web with the USB scopes, and can't figure out what I'm doing wrong. When I use low power magnification, I can get the cantilever into focus, but nowhere near the magnification level required to inspect the tip. When I use higher levels of magnification, I have to move the scope so far from the cartridge, that it proves worthless. Whats the deal with this USB process, and where am I going wrong? Wish I had an old Shure SEK2 like back in the day, but, alas, they seem to be like searching for the Holy Grail. Any help would be greatly appreciated.