discussion extra magnification

[Waspie]

My current 1/72 build has highlighted just how my eyesight has gone down. My reading glasses are fine for - reading! But for that extra something I need more or larger images to help with my new hobby.

A question for you guys.
If you use assisted magnification, what make /type do you use?
There are so many out there an idea from you people that use them would assist me in making my mind up as to what to buy.
Thanks in advance to anyone who responds.
Doug

 

[PaulTRose]

One of those on the head magifying jobbies are good but I also have one of those clamp to the bench illuminated magnifying glass thingys too.........both work for different jobs for me

 

[Si Benson]

My eyesight is steadily getting worse too, I’ve used a magnifying lamp for years but now I’m also needing that and my reading specs.

 

[Jim R]

Donegan Optivisor with the DA-5 lens. They are not cheap but have quality, optical glass lenses. They're comfortable to wear and the DA-5 lens is a good compromise between decent magnification and a workable focal length.
Beware of imitations.

 

[Andy T]

I've tried all kinds of magnifiers (apart from the daddy optivisor) but always end up reverting back to +3.5 reading glasses, two pairs for a fiver on Amazon.

I wear them on a string around my neck so they are easily to hand

 

[A_J_Rimmer]

I just use a cheap pair of off the shelf reading spec's from Tesco's that I ware over the top of my regular distance glasses - seem to work well (and stops me ruining my £100 reading glasses). I also try to use lots of light.

 

[Tworrs]

Like @Jim R says above, the Optiviser is well worth the investment.
As @A_J_Rimmer notes two pairs of specs is also an excellent choice.

 

[Waspie]

Thanks for all your replies guys, I have to admit to seeing the Optimiser and was surprised at the cost, end of the day you get what you pay for. However, it's a tad over budget at the moment. That's the trouble with starting out, like teenagers, you want everything NOW!!! But its not practical!

Seems I'm going to have to compromise somewhere or just wait.

I've tried all kinds of magnifiers (apart from the daddy optivisor) but always end up reverting back to +3.5 reading glasses, two pairs for a fiver on Amazon.

I wear them on a string around my neck so they are easily to hand

Andy, I have a problem with your option. I used to wear +2.0 readers but I developed an eye issue as a result. It's to do with perspective, the top of anything I look at is wider than the bottom and it does crazy things with my brain. My current prescription reading glasses are trying to correct the issue. But I appreciate your response buddy but its a road I can't go down.

 

[Tim Marlow]

Cheap ready readers are not of great quality and may not be properly optically corrected, especially at higher magnification. OK if your eyes are otherwise in good condition, but probably not great if you have other eye issues.
When I wore contacts I had to wear reading glasses as well (think how varifocals could work as contacts if that sounds weird) so used an optivisor. When I stopped wearing contacts I went back to varifocals. However, my short sightedness is quite marked so working over the top of the glasses gives me a 2.5 magnification, and my optician recommended that I did this instead of wearing anything else.

 

[Tim Marlow]

https://www.theloupestore.co.uk/Headband-Loupes/

Plenty of options here Doug.

 

[Waspie]

https://www.theloupestore.co.uk/Headband-Loupes/

Plenty of options here Doug.

Thank you Tim, yup, lots of choice there.

 

[Gern]

I just use a cheap pair of off the shelf reading spec's from Tesco's that I ware over the top of my regular distance glasses - seem to work well (and stops me ruining my £100 reading glasses). I also try to use lots of light.

D'you have problems travelling Arnold, 'cos you don't look anything like your passport photo?! :smiling3:

 

[David Lovell]

If your reading glasses are up to scratch and your working at the same distance you read from you should be having no problems ,when you pick up your reading glasses from opticians/ boots /spec savers/tescos etc they sit you down and give you the card to read the smallest print at the top should be pin sharp if it isn't tell em there no good ,when you work with your reading glasses on make sure there not slid half way down your nose there designed to work properly fitted sorry this isn't ment to sound like a telling off but as you know I mostly work in brail scale and have never had a problem using just reading glasses ,I'll put my hand up and admit to trying thoes head band things terrible they make things out of perspective you have to keep tilting your head back to look under them to get a proper look of your work area (or flip em up)but that was just me others seem to think there ok like Si Benson ive work lamps with a magnifier in the top I use occasionally just to check on something but would never work through it sadly Doug now closer to seventy than sixty ive found its no good sometimes if your eyes are tired it seems that is the root cause when it gets hard going now I just retire gracefully from the bench . I think people worry too much if you need to magnify it to see it people will need the same to see what you've done?Dave

 

[boatman]

WELL i dont have a problem seein anything really wheather its close up or far away till i need binocs lol but on modeling i use head band magnifier with the lens all fitted in an they just fold up an down an twin leds light also fitted to the visor an a over head white daylight light so for me thing are ok an i find this idea saves eye strain but i find it best not to over do it i just do what i set my self to do then have a rest an hope there will be a tomorrow to carry on but i do have glasses but most times dont need them
chrisb

 

[Waspie]

If your reading glasses are up to scratch and your working at the same distance you read from you should be having no problems ,when you pick up your reading glasses from opticians/ boots /spec savers/tescos etc they sit you down and give you the card to read the smallest print at the top should be pin sharp if it isn't tell em there no good ,when you work with your reading glasses on make sure there not slid half way down your nose there designed to work properly fitted sorry this isn't ment to sound like a telling off but as you know I mostly work in brail scale and have never had a problem using just reading glasses ,I'll put my hand up and admit to trying thoes head band things terrible they make things out of perspective you have to keep tilting your head back to look under them to get a proper look of your work area (or flip em up)but that was just me others seem to think there ok like Si Benson ive work lamps with a magnifier in the top I use occasionally just to check on something but would never work through it sadly Doug now closer to seventy than sixty ive found its no good sometimes if your eyes are tired it seems that is the root cause when it gets hard going now I just retire gracefully from the bench . I think people worry too much if you need to magnify it to see it people will need the same to see what you've done?Dave

Mmmm that’s food for thought.
I do use Boots for my glasses, in fact my optician is a fellow modeller. (Figures and Warcraft stuff)
Sadly I’m the tother side of seventy and the time spent focusing, especially small scale appears to be my biggest foe.
I think this has been highlighted by trying to focus on the tiny parts and the flash and seams being even smaller but noticeable!
I certainly don’t want to mess up my eyes, having enough problems with my eyes without adding to them.
Thanks Dave, as said, much food for thought:thumb2:

 

[Tim Marlow]

Sounds like your optician is the best one to ask for advice Doug. He knows your eyes and he knows the challenges to modelling.

Weird people opticians though. Last time I went we spent about half an hour on my eyes, and about the same time discussing Napoleon LOL. My last optician, when I lived in Salisbury, was an identical twin and they both were opticians in the practice. I used to see him for my eye checks and his brother for my contact lens checks. What was even weirder was that they married identical twins who used to also work in the practice. Well, it was either that or he was so bad at his job I used to see double all the time :tongue-out3: :tongue-out3:

 

[PaulinKendal]

I use an illuminated table mounted magnifier, Doug. Doesn't work for everyone, as there can be a clash between paintbrush and magnifier, but I've learned to deal with that. Here it's being used (with another lamp) to illuminate a figure for photography.



Here's a link to the one I use, purchased from Cambridge Optics - which has a dizzying array of options, including headband magnifiers:

https://www.cambridgeoptics.com/225...e-lens-daylight-led-changeable-lens-882-p.asp

 

[Waspie]

Sounds like your optician is the best one to ask for advice Doug. He knows your eyes and he knows the challenges to modelling.

Weird people opticians though. Last time I went we spent about half an hour on my eyes, and about the same time discussing Napoleon LOL. My last optician, when I lived in Salisbury, was an identical twin and they both were opticians in the practice. I used to see him for my eye checks and his brother for my contact lens checks. What was even weirder was that they married identical twins who used to also work in the practice. Well, it was either that or he was so bad at his job I used to see double all the time :tongue-out3: :tongue-out3:

Well I did as you suggested Tim and gave the eye geezer a call. Had a brief chat. He basically said as long as I can wear my prescription glasses, make sure I get something where both L&R lenses are simply magnifying and I should be ok. If I do have problems then pop in for a more in depth consultation and perhaps look at my eyes again. Told him I wasn't having difficulty reading it was just modelling. (He did say stick to 1/48 - 1/35!!! :tears-of-joy: :tears-of-joy: ).
Thanks for the prompt, the chat did help actually.

 

[Tim Marlow]

That’s what I did and mine even let me borrow an optivisor for the weekend to see how I got on with it. Well over thirty years ago now though……

 

[David Lovell]

I've been a bit lax lately Doug I usually work with two lamps but have only been using one something I always do is work over a sheet of printer paper it really brightens up your immediate working area and working against a white background makes cutting from the spru much easier and clear thinking back about my thoughts im sure with age comes tired eyes perhaps taking a break every half hour or so go and make a cupper(with age take a p).:thumb2ave