MAGNIFYING glass ???

[Guest]

Anybody out there know if you can get more than one strength of magnifying glass . I want to paint a figure and i'm struggling with the glass i have because me old mince pies aint what they used to be . My mum was right it has sent me blind!! Any help gratefully received .

Ian

[geegad]

I don't wear glasses yet and I use them when it comes to the fine detail you need them there are many strengh lenses you can buy I have one with a light around it..

You don't want anything to strong or you will have to paint with a pin

Have a look at maplin that's where I got mine from or the "scale model shop" he sells a lot of different product all a top prices...

Good luck bud hope this helps

Geegad

[Guest]

Thanks John appreciate the reply i'll check maplins .

Regards

Ian

[Guest]

Look for headband magnifiers; they fit round the head, at forehead level, and you can flip the lenses into place. From the sound of it, you'll soon be with the rest of us glass-wearers, and a decent magnifier will fit over a pair of glasses, and augment, rather than replace, them. I've used them for more than 20 years, and also appreciate having both hands free, while moving round the subject and inspecting it.

Edgar

[Guest]

Try some cheap reading specs, I wouldn't stand a chance without 'em :idea:

[Guest]

I'm with Andy, just buy cheap reading glasses, you can get them in our local mega discount shop up to 4x strength for a couple of quid, and i think they can be in even higher magnification if you look around, although i shouldn't imagin you'll need any higher than 3x - even for 1/72 work !

You could buy a selection of different strengths for the same price as a good quality mag lens.

[Guest]

And some good lighting of course

[Guest]

I got a lamp with built in magnifyer from my local Hobbycraft for £20. Its a good strength lens, not too powerful but the lamp is very bright. I think a decent light is as important as the strength of the lens. I cant see it online so it might be a local special.

Keith

[Dave W]

I got a magnifier with light on an adjustable arm from Machine Mart for £15.It comes with a clamp to fix it to a work bench.

[Guest]

I use Reading glasses for small close up work and they work a treat

Richy

[stona]

I'm with Edgar. I wear a headband magnifier over my normal reading glasses. Mine wasn't cheap but I use it every time I do a modelling session. It's obviously hands free and I have a selection of lenses. I most often use a 1.5 magnification. It doesn't sound much but makes a hell of a difference. I occasionally use a stronger lens,painting instruments for example,but they have a much shorter focal length and you end up with the work vitually on the end of your nose!

I've seen some very reasonably priced versions but can't vouch for them.

Cheers

Steve

[Guest]

Agree with Edgar & Steve a good headband magnifier. Hands free & it is so much easier for instance masking up a canopy.

One thing I would warn against is using shop bought reading specs except in emergency situations & especially for long periods. They can be lethal & in the end add a basket load of pound notes to the pound world note paid out originally to put your sight back to rights.

If you do get a head magnifier buy one with good quality glass lenses as the plastic ones soon scratch & get that misty look. I use a 1.8 mostly but it is your personal choice. I bought the 3.5 strength lense originally thinking it would light up the world. But you have to be so close to the subject this strength proved useless for general modelling use. IE the stronger the lense the closer you have to be to the subject.

The cheap reading glasses that can damage your sight | Learning Centre | Bedford Eye Care Centre

Laurie

[Guest]

Laurie with respect whats the difference between a magnifier and cheap reading glasses to me they are the same thing when modelling as they are only used for short periods on small scale work , if reading glasses are not good for you then a magnifier can`t be either , I could be well wrong mate just interested

Richy

[Ian M]

I wear bifocals and last time I was in the opticians for a check up I ordered a pair of glassed extra with the whole lens in my new reading distance prescription. WOW that made a difference. The only problem is I forget that they are not the bifocals I otherwise wear all the time. Great fun going up the stairs not so much falling down them!

Ian M

[Guest]

Laurie with respect whats the difference between a magnifier and cheap reading glasses to me they are the same thing when modelling as they are only used for short periods on small scale work , if reading glasses are not good for you then a magnifier can`t be either , I could be well wrong mate just interested Richy

Fair question Richy. O for an optician is there one on the site ?

Probably if you had perfect sight & used perfect reading glasses with the same lens you are right.

The problem is first have you perfect sight. The second problem is Which tested 14 pairs of glasses & found serious faults in half of them which can cause serious problems.

The next problem is how can you choose the perfect specs. If they are imperfect they can ruin your perfect or near perfect sight.

Rather like wearing an air filter or not when air brushing do you take a chance. I like to play safe you only have one pair of eyes which have plenty of natural enemies without possibly adding another even if perhaps low risk. You just do not know. But we are all our own masters !

Laurie