What is the difference between a magnifier and a lens?

Despite all the achievements and discoveries that scientists can boast, there are still many unsolved mysteries in the modern world. So, today, research in such areas of human activity as biology, medicine, archeology, botany, and forensics does not stop.

In the course of research, objects of optical systems, which include a magnifier and a lens, are indispensable. It is about them that will be discussed in this article. We will determine what it is, what are the differences between the products and which one is better to give preference to.

Before you start comparing a magnifier and a lens, it will be logical to understand what each of the above items is.

A magnifier is an optical instrument... Its main element is a lens: one or several. The magnifier is used in various industries to magnify and observe small objects.

The main technical parameters of the magnifier are:

• focal length;
• optical power;
• magnification factor when viewing near and far;
• magnification factor for reverse use;
• clarity of color reproduction.

There are many types of loupes, each of which is used in a specific industry. So, folding is used in geology, botany, entomology and other fields of activity. In laboratory studies, tripod loupes are used, in surgery - binocular.

A lens is a product made of a transparent homogeneous material. It consists of two surfaces, one of which can be spherical or cylindrical, and the other spherical or flat. Glass, quartz, crystals and plastic are used to make the magnifier.

The main characteristics of the lens are:

• focal length;
• radius of the sphere;
• refractive index.

Lenses are converging and diffusing. The first type is used in photography and video equipment, in the manufacture of magnifying glasses, but the second is used in medicine, especially in ophthalmology.

Of course, there are a number of differences between a magnifier and a lens, even though the lens is one of the building blocks of the magnifier.

• Appearance. Probably everyone knows what a magnifying glass looks like - it is a magnifying glass, which is placed in a frame with a handle. It is very convenient to hold it in the hand, while aiming at the object that needs to be enlarged. But the lens looks like an ordinary transparent glass, the shape of which can be different - it all depends on its type.

• Application. A magnifying glass is mainly used to enlarge a certain object or text: when reading literature, for handicrafts, etc. Very often it can be used for other than its intended purpose, for example, to make fire, burn wounds, burn texts or drawings, fasten plastic surfaces by melting them. But lenses have many more uses. They are mounted in various optical devices, used in medicine, radio astronomy, and even in nuclear weapons.

• Operating principle. The magnifier is designed to increase the angle of view. To do this, the object under study must be placed between the magnifying glass and its focus. The device absorbs light particles and enlarges the image. The lens, due to its curved surface, breaks the luminous flux and also enlarges the object. By the way, if you are using a collecting lens, the image of the subject may be inverted.

There is no way to give a clear answer to the question of which is better: a magnifying glass or a lens. Everyone decides for himself what kind of optical device he needs. The most important thing is to consider:

• in what industry and for what purposes it is needed;
• main characteristics of a magnifying glass such as magnification level, focal length, field of view.

Today, buying a magnifier or lens is not a problem at all. They are sold at many specialized points of sale. It is best, of course, to give preference to the most famous manufacturers.

Watch the video on how to choose a magnifier.