Old age/eyesight

[jessica]

Anybody use magnifyers to work on their hobby? Do you use a particular brand that you would recommend? I would like to purchase one but there are a myriad of choices out there and I'm confused.

I wear contacts but my vision is not the best when working up close (like painting eyeballs on these Megos, for instance)...I am afraid old age is catching up to me...

[z3zep]

I bought a "hobby" lamp that has a built in magnifying glass. I got it on Amazon. I think it is this one. I like it.

Amazon.com: 5X BLACK POWER MAGNIFY DESK LAMP FLEXIBLE ARM w/GLASS LENS WHITE LIGHT: Home Garden

[darklord1967]

Anybody use magnifyers to work on their hobby? Do you use a particular brand that you would recommend? I would like to purchase one but there are a myriad of choices out there and I'm confused.

I wear contacts but my vision is not the best when working up close (like painting eyeballs on these Megos, for instance)...I am afraid old age is catching up to me...

I'm afraid that's not really a problem of old age, Jess.

You see, if you are near-sighted (as I am), then you already have a natural ability to bring objects up close to your eyes and focus upon them.

But seeing aids of any kind (glasses, contact lenses) while correcting your near-sighted vision will actually override your natural ability to do this.

Years ago while finishing up some of my custom MEGOs, I discovered the same problem as you. I got so annoyed, that I REMOVED my contact lenses while working so that I could use my natural "macro-vision" again for fine detail work.

Of course, there ARE other alternatives for fine detail work on MEGOs (such as eye balls). Instead of painting eye balls, you could use Archer EZ eyes water-slide decals for perfect eyes every time.

[jessica]

Thanks guys. I was hoping I wouldn't have to remove my contacts, but I guess I will be forced to until I procure one of those lighted lamps. Do you find that the fluorescent lamps change the colors of the paints? I usually have to paint in natural light because if I paint at night, the painting looks different in the daytime.

[spiderrogue]

hobby lobby sells lamps like that too...in the artist section of their stores...so if you live near one(??) you may want to check them out.....and if you time it right, you can snag a 40% off coupon from their site to use at the store...says a ton of cash....

[thunderbolt]

Yeah, I'm in the same boat, its only because of this hobby that I notice the problem, too. I need to go back to get my reading glasses redone.

[ctc]

Hmmmm....

I've got one of them magnifier/lamp doohickeys too. Works real good, AND mine has a 120 watt halogen bulb. Lights up the living room like a paraflare.

Don C.

[spiderrogue]

^^when you turn it on, does the rest of the neighborhood dim a little?