14 replies to this topic

[Druchii Love]

While checking out a fellow gamers painting area, I noticed he had a magnifying lamp on his desk.  And when I asked him about it he said he used it constantly.  I've never used one for painting and I'm wondering if anyone else out there has any experience or thoughts.


Save the Hydras!!

[Sentinel]

I just picked up one at a Harbor Freights in Pasadena for $29.99.  Although I've never used one, I've been having eye strain when painting 15mm Flames of War.  I also couldn't pass up the offer since I've seen these go for $69+  Also it has a halogen lamp.  Now if I can just make time to unbox it  

[Tadite]

I have one.  But honestly I never use the magnifying glass part of it.  But what I highly recommend is the natural light lamp.

SO much less eye pain and problems.

[Fellblade]

I had one of those magnifying glass lamps once upon a time but I found I'd keep bumping the back of my brush up against it so I ended up just using it as a normal lamp.

[Matt]

If you can't see what you are painting with the naked eye, why use a magnifier?  My painting goals have always been to look good at arms length, and from the angles you will see them from the table.  If you have to flip it over to see it, it doesn't need paint.

-Matt

[Qrab]

I started using an Optivisor earlier this year. The one I got has the 2x lenses. I've noticed a huge difference in both my sculpting and painting.

[Gobbla]

I tried a magnifying lamp, but I had trouble adjusting to the magnification.  The distance between the brush and the fig was exagerated, so applying the brush to the model was like a NASA docking proceedure, and just about as slow.

[Crimson Nocturn]

I only use one for the fine detail work. even then not always. i use the light from the lamp portion of it a lot though. it has a nice white light which works pretty well for shading.

[Mayren]

I have just recently purchased a new magnifying lamp that rotates and extends from Fry's for about $20.  I do sometimes run into the issue of the top of my paint brush handle hitting the lamp, and occasionally after painting for an hour straight I will feel woozy when trying to readjust my eyes to normal sight.  I'm still debating whether it is improving my work or not.
I want my models to be great while observing them on the table but i'm trying to learn better techniques in order to one day compete at Games Day. I'm just not sure how to get there.

-Mayren

[Chops]

After many years of painting everything from plastic 1/35th scale models to 6mm soldiers to micro armor and ships with bare eyes, I have been forced to use one.  It takes a little adjustment to get used to the difference in your depth perception, but once that little trick is mastered, you will have it wired.  

[Sitruc]

Qrab, on Jun 8 2007, 09:25 AM, said:

I started using an Optivisor earlier this year. The one I got has the 2x lenses. I've noticed a huge difference in both my sculpting and painting.

What is an Optivisor and what store carries it and how much?

[Qrab]

Sitruc, on Jun 15 2007, 09:33 PM, said:

What is an Optivisor and what store carries it and how much?

I ordered mine from the Rio Grande catalog, but I'm sure Micro Mark or any other general purpose hobby store will carry them. Google "Optivisor" and you should get some results.

[Mayren]

Qrab, on Jun 18 2007, 05:16 AM, said:

I ordered mine from the Rio Grande catalog, but I'm sure Micro Mark or any other general purpose hobby store will carry them. Google "Optivisor" and you should get some results.

So is the Optivisor really that much better than a free standing light/magnifier ?


-Mayren

[Qrab]

Mayren, on Jun 27 2007, 08:01 AM, said:

So is the Optivisor really that much better than a free standing light/magnifier ?

In my experience, yes.

[Kagetora]

Qrab, on Jun 29 2007, 05:19 AM, said:

In my experience, yes.

A lot of the guys where I work use them (electronics...really teeny components and such), but every time I put one on thats stronger than the weakest two or so magnification levels, I get nauseous.  Still, I have thought about picking up one of those...I think they make 1.25 or 1.5 power ones that I can stand to wear.  Every little bit helps!

As far as light...get two.  My mother-in-law bought me an OttLight as a gift...natural-colored light source.  Makes the colors look good, and throws a lot of light.  Then get a second, more standard desk lamp and keep it above the desk for general lighting.  I find that works really well.  OttLights are expensive though, depending on which model you get.