Help with Focal Length & Magnification & even brand for visor.

July 23, 2016 8:46 AM

I paint miniature figures, this sort of thing for those that don't know. But I'm in interested in suggestions from anyone that uses a magnifying visor for their hobby/craft. I currently use a magnifying desk light with a 2.5 magnification to paint & find it super helpful but I'm looking for something more portable to take to class. I'm looking to buy a pair of these.

I'm getting myself in a mess trying to work out what would be a good compromise between focal length & magnification. I am thinking of getting the 2x magnification as that would that leave enough room to paint but would that be enough magnification.

Which is the best to give up magnification or room to work?

I see some models out there with loupes you can twist down to increase magnification when needed are they any good or just a sales gimmick.
Would having 2 visors & switching between a high magnification one for detail work & back again for more general work be a good idea? I have problem eyesight that can be only partially helped with prescription glasses so need some magnification to paint things this small.
Any suggestions or a good quality brand would also be welcome, I'm more than happy to pay more & have good clear vision than get a cheap plastic one that will bug me.

posted by wwax to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (3 answers total)

Best answer: The Donegan Optivisor brand you linked to is definitely the brand to buy. The small fold down loupes do work--I have them on both sides of my visor. My Dad swore by this brand--he used them for silversmithing, lapidary work and faceting. I use mine for micropaleontology. You probably want the 2X magnification with a ten inch focal length. Shell out the extra ten bucks for the model with the glass lens plate. The LX series have plastic lenses and are not nearly as good.
posted by mikecable at 10:28 AM on July 23, 2016

Best answer: Mikecable said what I intended to say. I also learned that if you wear distance lenses under them (to correct nearsightedness), it increases the focal length. I have the 4x ones and the focal distance indeed is too close.

One of these days I want some CraftOptics though!

http://craftoptics.com/
posted by bluesky78987 at 4:20 PM on July 23, 2016

Best answer: Coming in late because I intended to post an answer but then forgot.

Rio Grande has the Donegan Optivisor with 4 acrylic plates from 1.75X to 2.75X for $54 right now. If you haven't made your purchase yet, this might be a good choice, because you can find the magnification that works for you and then upgrade to a glass lens at that size if you want.

This video from FDJtool helped me make the decision of which lens plate to go for.

I got the 2x (10" focal length) which is about right for jewelry work at my jewelry bench. I also paint miniatures, but at at different bench with a lower work surface so I think that for that task I would prefer the a the 1.5x (20") or the 1.75x(14") length (which is why I was pricing lens plates today and found that deal and remembered this ask).
posted by sparklemotion at 8:52 AM on August 8, 2016