hi all,i hope this is the right place to post this burning question.my eyes are not what they once were and it dawns on me that i may not be alone and that there may be amoungst the cognicenti a best method to overcome this issue. i've heard of magic light that improves vision,illuminated magnifiers and headband magnifiers,but what is the best way? i would rather spend proper money and buy a high quality item that will do the job,any and all advice very welcome,in eager anticipation,steve
Oils vision enhancement
- Thread starter sukhoiboy
- Start date
Help Support planetFigure:
roadking
A Fixture
Steve,
Many or most use some form of eye improvement. Nothing replaces great lighting and a comfortable work space but I have been using an Optivisor for years. In fact now that I paint mostly 54mm figures I use a stronger pair than I used to. My first pair were numbered 3 and worked well for many years. Now I use a number 5. The numbers go higher as the focal strength increases. Some people don't like wearing them and there are anumber of other choices available. Figure out what is most comfortable for you and try them out.
Jim
Many or most use some form of eye improvement. Nothing replaces great lighting and a comfortable work space but I have been using an Optivisor for years. In fact now that I paint mostly 54mm figures I use a stronger pair than I used to. My first pair were numbered 3 and worked well for many years. Now I use a number 5. The numbers go higher as the focal strength increases. Some people don't like wearing them and there are anumber of other choices available. Figure out what is most comfortable for you and try them out.
Jim
FigureLover
A Fixture
It depends on the issue of your eyesight as to what you need to overcome this. If your workbench is set up to a proper comfortable height and you have good lighting then that should be enough, if you are still experiencing eye strain to paint then magnification is the go. I use a head visor with number 3 magnification, in fact I use one all day everyday for my work and find it very comfortable and have no issues with it. There are many brands and it may pay to check a few out first before bying one. A jewellers supply store usually has several brands and styles, some with nice leather head straps for comfort and others with LED lights for extra lighting of your subject, but the main thing is to get the right magnification for your eyes and work that you are doing.
Ben
Ben
Tecumsea
PlanetFigure Supporter
It also depends on whether you are long or short sighted. I am short sighted which has the disadvantage of wearing glasses or contacts all day but I can take them off for reading and modelling the larger areas. For close up work on faces and fine detail I wear an optivisor.
As already posted consult your optician although this might result in unnecessary expense.
Buy a good quality visor with glass lenses, there are cheap plastic ones available which are rubbish by comparison. I don't know which country you are in, for the UK I could give you some recommended retailers-for an optivisor expect to pay £40-50 in the UK-most things are cheaper if you are in the US-unfortunatey I live in "Rip off Britain"
As already posted consult your optician although this might result in unnecessary expense.
Buy a good quality visor with glass lenses, there are cheap plastic ones available which are rubbish by comparison. I don't know which country you are in, for the UK I could give you some recommended retailers-for an optivisor expect to pay £40-50 in the UK-most things are cheaper if you are in the US-unfortunatey I live in "Rip off Britain"
hi jim ben and keith,thank you for your responses. as an 'old boy' i need specs for reading and now painting and i can see how good light is crucial but the extra magnification that you speak of must be wonderfull especialy with the smaller scale figures.its great to hear that ben uses one all day with no issue's,what make is that item ben? i am in the u.k too keith and like you find it distastfull to pay twice as much as our foreign friends for essential toys.
i have heard that 'actulight' is the illumination of choice,so that with an optivisor should have me painting napoleonic battle scenes on grains of rice!
i am indebted to you guy's for you help,regards steve
i have heard that 'actulight' is the illumination of choice,so that with an optivisor should have me painting napoleonic battle scenes on grains of rice!
i am indebted to you guy's for you help,regards steve
Tecumsea
PlanetFigure Supporter
Hi Steve, I bought my Optivisor from Squires of Bognor Regis they do a fantastic catalogue of tools including loads for modelling and will send a copy on request Tel 01243-842424
The Actulite is sold by Aura Corporation 01902-332352 www.actulite.com
The only comment I would make about the light is that it is expensive and when you add highlights and shadows they look fine in the evening but in daylight you wonder where they have gone-in other words you have to over accentuate! the light however is quite restful on the eyes. I think they are seen as the best because most people have one, I bought mine years ago. They do have more competition now worth a look is www.craftlights.co.uk the Daylight company also do a good range and I have one of theirs as well..............hope this helps PM me if you want any more info
The Actulite is sold by Aura Corporation 01902-332352 www.actulite.com
The only comment I would make about the light is that it is expensive and when you add highlights and shadows they look fine in the evening but in daylight you wonder where they have gone-in other words you have to over accentuate! the light however is quite restful on the eyes. I think they are seen as the best because most people have one, I bought mine years ago. They do have more competition now worth a look is www.craftlights.co.uk the Daylight company also do a good range and I have one of theirs as well..............hope this helps PM me if you want any more info
thank you ben for those contacts,i've tracked down a da5 2.5x mag. optivisor for twenty eight quid and that should arrive before christmas.the actulight wins hands down in the reviews i have found so i think thats the one for me.
i am extremely gratefull,yours steve
i am extremely gratefull,yours steve
Tecumsea
PlanetFigure Supporter
HI Steve,
The Optivisor seems a very good deal for the money. You won't be disappointed with the Actulite
The Optivisor seems a very good deal for the money. You won't be disappointed with the Actulite
