How to choose an illuminated magnifier?

When working with small objects, a magnifying glass is often indispensable. This device is especially useful for people with vision problems. Also, devices with magnifying glasses are required for some working specialties. Today anyone can buy a practical and handy magnifier. Manufacturers have developed many options for this device.

The magnifier is a special optical system. It can have a different shape or size, depending on the purpose and configuration. The main component of this device is one or more lenses. The magnifying glass is attached to a handle or frame. With its help, you can see in detail small details and objects.

Currently, optical systems are widely used in the following areas:

• jewelry making;

• medicine;

• repair of household appliances and watches;

• forensics;

• radio electronics;

• philately;

• archeology;

• banking;

• beauty industry.

Also, magnifiers are actively used by people involved in sewing or other types of needlework. Backlit magnifiers are widely used. With their help, you can work in a dimly lit room. Manufacturers use compact and powerful LEDs.

When using a magnifying glass on a stand, you can completely free your hands and increase the speed of work. Modern models with built-in lighting equip LED diodes.

Their main features are as follows:

• economical power consumption;

• sufficient powerful lighting, which will be quite enough for small work;

• pleasing to the eye saturation and temperature.

Magnifiers are available in a wide variety. The entire presented assortment can be conditionally divided into the following categories:

• sizes;

• the form;

• functionality (combined optical system, including several lens options);

• purpose;

• location option (desktop, floor, magnifier on the holder and other options).

Each of the species on the market has specific characteristics and is used to perform one or more tasks. Let's consider the most common and popular options.

The reading model is usually presented in the form of a pocket magnifier square or rectangular (there are also standard round models). This device has gained great popularity among those who work with large volumes of printed matter.

The main characteristic of a magnifying glass is to enlarge the text by 3-5 times. In some stores, you can find models in the form of a ruler. With their help, you can increase the entire line. For convenience, the devices are equipped with LED backlit.

This type of product has increased optical characteristics. Special high magnification lenses are used in the manufacture. Most models released with LED backlighting, allowing the master to work in different lighting conditions. Bright light is very important when working with small mechanisms and elements.

This option is a shadowless optical system. The user can adjust the angle of direction of the device relative to the working surface. Such equipment is often used by employees of beauty salons (masters of manicure, pedicure, as well as cosmetologists). The magnifier on the bracket has also found its use in everyday life. With its help, you can do handicrafts, draw, sew, read and do other errands.

Practical and easy-to-use optical system that looks resembles an ordinary desk lamp. Such a device has become widespread both in everyday life and in the offices of most specialists. Due to the presence of a stable stand, it can be installed on any horizontal surface. The devices are equipped with a powerful light source, which significantly increases user comfort and provides a variety of applications.

In addition to the standard version using diodes, there are models with ultraviolet illumination on sale. In some cases, the model can be equipped with multiple light sources.

UV illuminated magnifiers are often used in banking, for checking and studying watermarks. Also, such magnifiers are used by jewelers, philatelists and employees of service centers.

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 growing. 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.

One of the main parameters to pay attention to. A device with only one lens may have little 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.

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.

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.

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.

To increase the comfort during use and make the optics more functional, manufacturers use an antireflection 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.

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.

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.

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.