discussion Magnifying, What to go for?

[Guest]

I guess I never realised before how much my eyesight had been affected during recent events until it came to painting little details.

I'm now after a magnifier, but I can't decide what to go for...

I like the idea of a desk lamp/ magnifying glass type. Although I have limited room in my little corner. (I'm currently modelling out of a drawer, with a board on top of it for a workspace!)

Not sure about headbands, bit expensive. Has anybody had much luck with a jeweller's monocle type thingy?

 

[Guest]

Have you tried reading glasses? They're basically just magnifying lenses and with a good table lamp they work wonders

I do have an anglepoise lamp/magnifier for the tiny stuff, it's really very good, never tried the head magnifiers though

 

[BarryW]

What about a 'third hand' that incorporates a magnifying glass with clips to hold the work. I find mine useful but, I have to say, not as useful as I originally thought it would be but it certainly doe work well when I get it out.

 

[stona]

I use an Optivisor on me bonce. I rarely use anything but the 1.5x lens which doesn't sound much but makes a huge difference. I very occasionally use a higher magnification but the focal length of the lens means I have to work right under my nose which I find uncomfortable.

Cheers

Steve

 

[Vaughan]

Steve You mentioned an Optivisor would that work if you wear glasses?

Vaughan

 

[Guest]

It sure does, makes them little bitty bits into bigger bits, only problem though, is that your fingertips now look like a leg of ham.

If you buy an optivisor, or one of the many similar versions that are around, it will save your eyes from deteriorating as fast as they have been.

For what these cost, it is a very effective way of saving what little of your eyesight that you have left.

 

[stona]

Steve You mentioned an Optivisor would that work if you wear glasses?Vaughan

Yes indeed.

It was a fairly pricey investment but I feel I've had,and continue to have,my money's worth out of it.

Steve

 

[BarryW]

What a good idea. I have just Googled and found one on Amazon for a tenner with prime that can be used with specs.... Cant go wrong at that price so I have ordered it....

 

[Guest]

Morning Peaknukle. Have the same problem eyesight not so good. But then I think most would have problems seeing some detail especially on painting , or masking, framework on cockpit covers.

This is my experience from about 3 months ago.

Jeweller’s Eye Loup. They come in various magnifications. I got a 5x which I found useless & have not used it at all. OK for sorting out silver marks but certainly with the 5x the object is so close to get focus you cannot use any tools with it. Who wants to sit with one eye closed & the other scrunched up.

Table Magnifier. Found this very useful. But it has limitations compared to a human eye which will focus on anything you look at instantly. You have to make sure the magnifier is at 90 degrees to your object otherwise you do not get optimum focus.

Also essential to get your eyes as close as possible to the magnifier again to get full focus & magnification. But this all comes as you get used to it.

Would recommend a glass magnifier the plastic type are not as good optically & scratch easily. Mine is a 1.75 magnification.

You need a dual effort of light & magnifier. Without light your head & magnifier will cast a shadow on your work.

Make sure each of the joints are damped usually a wing nut to increase the friction, essential.

If you can mount on a wall or a shelf above your work station all the better as this gives good mounevrability(spell check) & also doubles the length of the arms as they can be stretched horizontal. About 3 feet stretch either side of the mounting point. On a table 12” to 18” max. as one arm is vertical all the time.

Disadvantage you have to move the lamp re focus along your work. Advantage good for immediate general use.

Spectacle Loup I bought a spectacle loup which was returned the same day as for me useless. To much fiddling about. But it came with 4 different lens From 1.5 to 3.5 magnification. For modelling I found that anything above 1.8 was impractical.

Each scale of magnification has an optimum focus length from the lens to your work. With for instance a 3.5 magnification I found the model part virtually sitting on my nose. For a 1.8 magnification your work will focus on 10” distance : 3.5 is 4”.

Head Loup For detailed work ie cockpit cover masking perfect.

If you move either head or your work the whole thing moves with you. You can wear your reading specs (essential as you eyes are then in synchro optically). Just flick the front optical part up when you do not need it.

You do need to work at the optical length all the time as the depth of field is virtually nil ie out of focus.

I use 1.8 magnification. Also glass lens.

Found my set is very comfortable. Gives that professor look !

Downside the wife giggles or is it a smirk but what is new.

Also do not let the grand children see it or that will be the last time you see it.

 

[Guest]

Forgot.

I got mine from this place. If you do not like or want to change the lens they will exchange or give you your money back including delivery.

The Loupe Store - High Grade Headband Magnifier

Laurie

 

[Guest]

During my latest build I tried a friend's reading glasses, the cheap universal ones you can buy anywhere, and they are awesome. It's really helped me see where I'm painting and should improve my work.

P.S. friend never got their glasses back..... )

 

[Guest]

I forgot to mention, I'm a glasses wearer so reading glasses may not work for me, But I may go for a walk into boots or somewhere and try a pair on, see if they work.

I think aside from that, a lamp/ magnifier is my next best bet, I have a shelf over my area too so I may find out I can hang from that.

Thanks for the all the replies guys

 

[Ian M]

The last time I needed new glasses, I got them to make a pair extra. Bottom half reading glasses top half normal prescriptions. Getting them to pairs for the price of one was the clincher. (especially as my employer paid for them, my old glasses got broken in a miss-hap at work...)

So good glasses and a normal working distance. I just have to be sure I take the right ones when I get in the car..........

Ian M

 

[Guest]

This is what I got, I mainly use it for lighting as it gives out a nice white light, the magnifier's very good for the tiny stuff though

22W Fluorescent Daylight Magnifier Lamp Free Delivery : Magnifier Lamps : Maplin

It was on offer when I got it, about 28 quid I think

 

[mossiepilot]

Hey peanuckle.

Don't think anyones mentions the sort of magifier that you wear round your neck.

View attachment 35103 Sort of like this - sorry about the poor picture.

I got it from the local art shop and I think it's really meant for cross stitchers and other needle work stuff.

I wear glasses and it can be in use or just hung round my neck without getting in the way.

I added the bit of wood so it sits further forward.

I've been using this now for about six months and it suits me fine.

Tony

View attachment 39577

View attachment 152603

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the input guys!

Well, since space (and money, until payday) is a bit tight, I've ordered a cheap pair of 1.5x reading glasses off fleabay, Gonna see how I get on with them using them in place of my regular glasses for short periods of time.

Probably end up with a desk lamp type affair once I've got a better space sorted