Criterias of choice
To meet the needs of discerning customers and to attract the attention of buyers, modern optical system manufacturers offer a wide variety of products. The assortment is constantly replenished
Customers are offered both compact options that can be easily taken with them wherever they go, and large-sized models on solid frames. To choose the right option, you need to focus on certain characteristics.
Number of lenses
One of the main parameters to pay attention to. A device with only one lens may have a small magnification
As a rule, these are magnifiers for reading, handicrafts and various household chores. In systems with increased magnification, at least 2 lenses are used.
Working distance
This characteristic affects the distance between the optical device and the object, which must be carefully examined. The distance depends on the type of work being done with the magnifying glass. In order to use additional equipment, it is necessary to opt for models with a long working distance. In this case, the user will have enough free space to perform the action.
Mounting method
When choosing a magnifier for drawing or handicraft, it is preferable to use a device that does not need to be held in your hands. In this case, a magnifying glass lamp, a model on a bracket or floor optics on a high holder are perfect. Before purchasing, accurately determine the required dimensions and adhere to them when choosing.
line of sight
This characteristic is responsible for the size of an object (or area) as seen through a magnifying glass. The parameter is closely related to increasing the magnification. The larger it is, the smaller the field of view. Experts have identified a standard value. With a fivefold increase, this parameter will be approximately 4 centimeters. If you raise the magnification to 10, then the visible area will already be 1 centimeter.
Coating
To increase the comfort during use and make the optics more functional, manufacturers use an anti-reflective coating. It will be especially useful when working in low light conditions. A special coating is used for devices of various configurations, regardless of purpose and other characteristics.
Focal length
In this case, manufacturers mean the distance between the magnifier and the human eye, at which the maximum coverage of the field of view can be achieved. The larger this parameter, the more comfortable it will be to use the magnifier.
Depth of field
Another characteristic familiar to every photographer. This parameter indicates the distance between the nearest and farthest points of the studied surface (object), within the boundaries of which focus (sharpness) is maintained. This characteristic depends on the power. The higher it is, the shallower the depth of field will be.
Additional functions
Pay attention to additional features: the presence of ultraviolet illumination, the angle of rotation of the lens and other features that are necessary for work in certain areas
You can watch an overview of the illuminated desktop magnifier in the next video.
What are they?
Reading magnifiers are divided into different categories, depending on their design and purpose. There are such types of loops.
- The device is in a frame-holder. The design can be flexible or rigid.
- Table magnifier with support for reading at the table.
- Illuminated device.
- Rectangular and square appliances. The first type of fixture is attached to a page of a book or A4 document. The luminous flux falls along a vertical guide without any reflections and shadows. Square magnifiers have a flat surface with a plastic lens. They can be used as bookmarks for books. Plastic magnifiers are much cheaper, but they have only one drawback - the surface is quickly scratched.
- Pocket fixture. It looks like a keychain.
- Square lenses.
- Electronic loupes have a high magnification factor - up to 25 times. Some devices are equipped with a stand, which allows visually impaired people not only to read, but also to write.
How to choose?
Head-mounted optical devices greatly facilitated the work of the craftsmen, freeing both hands for better performance of the assigned tasks. When choosing an optical device, you need to understand the technical characteristics.
- Magnification degree. A very significant parameter.
- Lens type. Monocular and binocular. And also another look is a triple lens magnifier with anti-glare coating. It has a good viewing angle and high magnification.
- Material. The lens can be made of glass or plastic, or plastic with aluminum with the addition of fiberglass particles. From what the lens is made of, its characteristics, such as strength and durability, depend.
- Optical power. The measurement value is diopters. This indicates the ability to refract light rays.
- Design features. You can choose a magnifier for the head, which is fixed on the temple of the glasses. Or one that is inserted directly into the eye socket. Backlit models are in great demand.
The main characteristics for choosing an optical device are its weight, the size of the structure and the distance from the object. They must be taken into account by the craftsmen in order for the product to serve longer.
When choosing, you should also pay attention to the brand name. At the moment, a large selection of optical products is presented on the market, each customer can choose a suitable device for themselves.
There are several manufacturers with fairly reasonable prices.
Swiss brand Horotec. This company manufactures optical devices. She has been engaged in this type of activity since 1946 and has managed to win the universal trust of craftsmen around the world. In addition to classic products, the brand manufactures threaded magnifiers, as well as plastic and aluminum types of rings, backlit forehead devices.
A headlamp (binocular) magnifier with illumination is presented in the video below.
What kind of magnifiers are there?
The main place to use a magnifying glass is in biology class. Magnifying devices of such a plan allow you to examine the small structures of the structure of plants and animals. Different product variants can be used.
- A tripod magnifier is a device in which the lens is fixed in a special frame on a tripod for ease of use.
- A device with a handle. With this option, a small convenient handle is built into the frame, with which you can adjust the image quality by zooming in or out of the device.
- Illuminated magnifier with built-in compass. This is useful for field research in a forest taiga area. The presence of diode lamps will allow observations even at night.
- Pocket magnifier with folding and lid design. A very convenient option for constant carrying with you.
Combined options between the listed ones are also very common: a tripod with illumination, a pocket one with a cord or with a handle, and so on.
Peculiarities
A magnifier is a device with a built-in magnifying glass for viewing small text or reading books. The peculiarity of such devices is the lens. Its magnifying ability allows you to see the smallest letters without distorting or blurring the image.The spherical eyepiece eliminates the appearance of distortion at the edges and makes it possible to view text over the entire surface of the material being read.
In this case, the lens diameter and its focal length are the main parameters of the device. There are models that allow you to read the material with both eyes.
This is especially important when using the device for a long time.
Tips & Tricks
An hour or jewelry magnifier should be not only of high quality, but also convenient. Additional accessories can be used to increase the comfort level at work. So, various clothespins and swivel tripods allow you to set the magnifier in the most comfortable position. The optical device is positioned on the selected surface and fixed in the desired position.
Particular attention should be paid to the backlit magnifier
It is important that the model is protected from scratches and light mechanical damage. Such a magnifier must be securely installed on the work surface or fixed on the hand.
Such a magnifier must be securely installed on the work surface or fixed to the hand.
The use of an illuminated magnifier greatly simplifies the work with small details. This model allows you to strain your eyes less. With the right choice, the design does not pose any problems at all. Lens care is as simple as possible, just clean it with a soft cloth to get rid of dust
It is important to protect the magnifier from drops, shocks and other mechanical impact.
Levenhuk Gem Jewelry Loupes are presented below.
Application
This device is used in various fields of activity, such as:
- jewelry making;
- medicine;
- cosmetology;
- biology.
And also magnifiers on a clamp can be used in everyday life. For example, when knitting, sewing, reading books, drawing sketches. This device is used for many tasks. Clamp magnifiers are the best option, as they have a set of important characteristics that are required in various areas of our lives.
Enlargement of the image of small objects and parts of mechanisms. The main characteristic of magnifying glasses is magnification. The higher it is, the better you can see objects in the distance, and the wider the field of view you can cover. The optical device with 5 diopters magnifies the image by 2.25 times. And with a multiplicity of 20 - 6 times. People with visual impairments, myopia, may need a magnifying glass with a magnification of 5, 10 and even 20. A person with a slight decrease in vision to read books needs a device with an optical power of 3 diopters, which magnifies the text by 1.75 times.
The following is a video review of a cosmetic magnifying glass on a clamp.
Application
Handheld magnifiers are an integral part of many professions. Depending on the scope of use, its structure is slightly different.
For example, a magnifying glass for numismatists is completely in a metal case. It should have a 30x magnification, 2 LED flashlights and one with UV, which are located on the handle near the lenses. There is a place for batteries inside.
With an ultraviolet flashlight, you can determine the authenticity of banknotes and the presence of prints. LED flashlights are needed for good illumination of the subject under study. They allow you to see the entire relief, the smallest scratches and microcracks on the coin.
In the watchmaking profession, despite the use of forehead magnifying glasses, there is always a handheld magnifier at hand. The complex and delicate assembly of the watch mechanism requires increasing in different magnifications.
And also there is a need for hand-held magnifiers in such professions as biologist, jeweler, archaeologist, scientist, art critic, restorer, forensic investigator, cosmetologist, physician and many others.
Many have read fascinating stories about Sherlock Holmes. His main tool, which he never let go of his hands, was a hand-held magnifier. It is still kept in the Sherlock Holmes Museum in London.
In the field of modern forensics, a magnifying glass is a necessary tool for examining a crime scene. Of course, forensic devices are different from home options. They are complex mechanisms of different configurations, magnifications and sizes.
Preparation of preparations for the microscope
The lesson "The device of magnifying devices" is not the only one in the school course of study that deals with working with such devices. Along with the structure and rules of use, children should lay the foundations of knowledge about the preparation of micropreparations for consideration.
For this, the following elements are used:
- slide;
- cover slip;
- dissecting needle;
- filter paper;
- pipette;
- water.
If you need to consider, for example, the skin of an onion, then you should carefully dissect it with a needle and put it on a glass slide in the form of a thin film. You need to place it in a drop of water pre-formed with a pipette. From above, the preparation is covered with a thin cover slip and pressed firmly. Excess liquid is removed by touching the filter paper. Care must be taken to ensure that there are no air bubbles under the cover glass, otherwise only they will be visible through the microscope.
Modern varieties of devices
Magnifying devices occupy a special place among the variety of technical designs. Indeed, without them, it is difficult to reach the truth and prove this or that theory, especially when it comes to the microcosm.
Modern technologies offer the following types of such devices:
1. Magnifiers. The structure of magnifying devices of this type is quite simple, therefore, among analog ones in action, they appeared first.
2. Microscopes. Today, several varieties can be distinguished:
- optical or light;
- electronic;
- laser;
- x-ray;
- scanning probe;
- differential interferon contrast.
Each is widely used not only in biological sciences, but also in chemistry, physics, space research, genetic engineering, molecular genetics, and so on.