robert piepenbrink | 19 Apr 2021 3:14 a.m. PST |
My working assumption is that if I need a magnifier to paint it, it won't be visible on the table. That said, I do sometimes use a magnifier before I paint--to confirm troop type and nationality in 5mm, or to identify some of the odder bits of equipment in larger scales. |
ScottWashburn | 19 Apr 2021 4:45 a.m. PST |
I've been using one for 25+ years. Couldn't paint without it now. |
ZULUPAUL | 19 Apr 2021 7:06 a.m. PST |
I tried a long time ago, didn't care for it. I'm with Robert on this. |
Parzival | 19 Apr 2021 8:21 a.m. PST |
Occasionally, if I need to see what the detail is (some turn out not to be "details" that need a different paint color). It can be a challenge for hand-eye coordination, though. |
Lluis of Minairons | 19 Apr 2021 10:22 a.m. PST |
I do have one such on my working desk, with a built-in lamp, for a since now (a present from my wife). However, I'm not using it yet – just my usual progressive glasses with a regular lamp's light. But it's there still, sitting next to the regular lamp. I'm using it just as a fetish, a good luck bringer – with a small statue of Athena on its base, staring at me while I paint. And, in any case, provided it eventually ceases to serve as a 'rabbit paw' because of my sight weakening anyway, I can always turn it on and keep on painting! |
Micman | 19 Apr 2021 10:31 a.m. PST |
I didn't used to need magnifier but after cataract surgery back in January, I can't focus on anything in painting range. So it is either readers or a magnifier. Facebook in its advertising ways decided to show me magnifiers. Over to Amazon and I found these. I do like them a lot. link |
robert piepenbrink | 19 Apr 2021 11:02 a.m. PST |
Micman, you might want to look at 6.0 reading glasses. I've been using them since my own cataracts surgery. (Actually, in the prep for the surgery, I showed the ophthalmologist a stand of 5mm hoplites, and that was what she recommended.) |
79thPA | 19 Apr 2021 11:32 a.m. PST |
I use them all of the time. |
14Bore | 19 Apr 2021 12:36 p.m. PST |
Didn't start that way but 40 years later it's necessary |
Dagwood | 19 Apr 2021 12:59 p.m. PST |
Fortunately I am short sighted, so can see better, close up, with my unaided eyes than most people. (Not that that helps much …) |
Micman | 19 Apr 2021 3:01 p.m. PST |
Robert Piepenbrink, I have been using 2.75 for the readers and they do work. Of course I have to get a better pair then the dollar store version I picked up. The magnifier has up to 5.0 and those make things pretty big. |
etotheipi | 19 Apr 2021 3:45 p.m. PST |
Sometimes for some details. Not most of the time. |
robert piepenbrink | 19 Apr 2021 4:21 p.m. PST |
For reading, a 2 or 2.5 does me. But that doesn't put the shield on the 5mm hoplite. |
20thmaine | 19 Apr 2021 4:35 p.m. PST |
Other – rarely but not never. |
von Schwartz ver 2 | 19 Apr 2021 5:42 p.m. PST |
Ocassionally, for frogging and lace trim on pelisse's and jackets, 15mm. Normally though I just kick up my readers magnification from my usual of 2.5 to 3.0 or 3.5, I have multiples of various mags laying in various strategic locations throughout the house. |
Wargamer Blue | 20 Apr 2021 3:08 a.m. PST |
I remember the good old days when I could paint 15mm with no glasses. Now I have have a magnifier stuck on my head. |
Stosstruppen | 20 Apr 2021 6:37 a.m. PST |
I use a magnifying light at home and I have a visor for lunchtime at work. Takes a little getting used to, but, once you do they work great. |
tigrifsgt | 20 Apr 2021 4:00 p.m. PST |
I've been using a 3x lighted magnifier for almost a year. My painting hasn't gotten any better, but now at least I can see how poorly I paint. |
farnox | 21 Apr 2021 8:45 a.m. PST |
I couldn't paint without one now. |
Patrick Sexton | 21 Apr 2021 9:03 a.m. PST |
I cannot paint without them. Time is definitely the Hunter. |
Huscarle | 21 Apr 2021 10:26 a.m. PST |
As one gets older…it is now pretty essential. |
Saxondog | 21 Apr 2021 10:52 a.m. PST |
Tried it a couple of times…. kept hitting the lens with the brush. A moustache could go from nose to knees. |