Poll suggested by kitch102

Yes, I use my old reading glasses when I paint details.

I use a tabletop light/magnifying glass. Really like it as it lets me see all the edges and cracks I've missed

luckiely my eyes are very good, so there is noo need to do o

According to my optometrist I have superhuman vision - people also can't believe my hearing...maybe I'm Homo Novus...

Point is, no, I don't. I can never get the magnification right, then my depth perception gets off and...ugh...

I use a magnifier / daylight lamp. Handy for painting in the wee small hours once the kids and wifey are abed.

Comes in really handy for fine detail, too.

The main reason to use a magnifier is to see the brush. It is hard to see exactly where the point is. I've been thinking about buying some expensive dental loupes-- $140+ but they are the perfect lenses.

I've tried, it messes with my depth perception. But it's not really an issue, what with superhuman vision and all haha

Yes.

But this is not JUST for modelling.

I wear specs.

They magnify (Right one does anyway) but mostly they correct for short and long-sightedness.

I started off using one of those headsets, but I don't need to anymore. Plus, it just looked ridiculous!

Like many folks here, I find magnifying screws up my painting, rather than improving it. Whilst my distance vision is pretty shocking, my close/detail vision is perfectly solid that I don't really need the magnifying anyhow,

I HAD a nice magnifier with roach clips on it to hold the stuff. My 5 and 3 year old boys kinda took it apart and pieces were lost. Good thing I never really had to use it since I have good eyesight and a very steady hand.

I'd like to but don't.

I have one, but find it to be rarely useful.

Maybe because I have good (20/13) eyesight. It's not so useful for modeling in that case and I am not a good enough painter to make use anything that would need it.

Not sure how to vote, though.

I have fairly good eyesight and I am resisting using a magnifier, because of fear of becoming overly dependant on them. I have experimented with one and found my depth perception, lightness of touch and mis-judging distance became an issue especially when doing Lenses etc.

I'm sure if I had stuck with it a week, I would have adjusted. But to be honest at this point of time, I don't need it so it's like handicapping myself. I do however use a Daylight lamp, as this is brilliant at giving true colour.

I actually got a magnifying glass 2 Xmases ago. Hand held so I couldn't use it as I need both hands.

For my birthday 2 months after ny grandad got me an awesome.little hightech one with built in LED lights on the rim and high powered magnification. Hand Held.

I use a magnifier headset thing with a variety of clip in lens for different magnification. It's great and fairly cheap, £25, my eyesight ain't the best and it gives me great depth of vision and my standard of painting has improved immeasurably, It also allows me to see exactly what some of those lumps and bump of GW figures are! "oh, it's a purity seal, thought it was a handkerchief sticking out of his pocket!"

I use a magnifier for some things and not for others, but I am grateful to have it for sure.

Ditto. I find a magnifying glass very handy when sculpting tiny details, but otherwise it tends to get in the way.

Good bit of kit, though

I have a hobby lamp. It gives off day light, and has a 2x/4x magnifying glass, but i only use the lamp for the light now, i keep the magnifying glass around for doing the rare really really small detail when i model an paint

I have a magnifier lamp but i rarely use it

I can't get my head around the messed up depth perception. Thankfully I've got a spot that gets plenty of daylight but during winter, without a daylight lamp, I could only paint for a short window during the days

My eyes havnt failed me yet

I used to use a pivoting light with a 4 inch magnifying glass on it. Worked well at a work desk, but I haven't been at my work dest for years...

I have one of those magnifying glass desk lamps but I don't use the magnifying glass part. It just shows me in greater detail how bad my painting is lol

No, never. I don't think it would be very beneficial and in fact rather fiddly.

No but I have often thought about making a rig with clamps lights and magnifiers, especially for the more delicate jobs.

I've been trying to paint for the first time in 2 years and I've realised that I now do need some form of magnification. My eyes are a bit shot anyway, and I don't really have any depth perception normally without glasses. I get around fine but think I'm going to have to relent and get some new glasses, and probably a magnifier for modelling/painting, if I want any hope of getting my painting up to the standard I want it at.

I'd also agree with the folks that use a magnifier with a built in light, if for no other reason than to have a decent light source for painting at night as that's when most people get decent hobby time.

Maybe a good question for another poll?? What time of day do you normally set aside tiem for hobbying, and/or how many hours a week do you hobby?? I don't mean actual game time or playign time, I just mean modelling and painting time.

Me personally it's pretty much only ever in the evenings, no earlier than 18:00, up to around midnight at the latest. Varies depending on work pattern, but I try and do at least 2 nights a week, and maybe a lot more if I've got something to get ready for.

I only use it for really small things like teeth and eyes

Funny, I just picked up a magnifying lamp this weekend, and it has already been very helpful with brush control and details.

I do not use a magnifying glass, I can see my brush bristles pretty well. But I do use a white LED bulb that it harsh enough that i can see any flaws on the model.

The good thing about the harsh white light, is if it looks good in that, it's going to look great in normal room lighting

I don't use one, there are some instances where I can see one coming in handy, but I generally find that the appropriate lighting is much more important than magnification...for which I use an adjustabledesk lamp

I understand the concept but really find it easier without a magnifier, simply because, as the model gets bigger under the magnifier, so does the brush. I work better without one, but I suppose that's just me.

Takes up too much time for me

I bought one of these.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/190723275240?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

And was in the middle of painting up some cultists. So i opened it plugged it in and started to paint to see if i could get used to it when the bulb sparked and popped less the 5 inches from my face. I contacted the seller and the sent me out a free one which was nice of them. Now I am to scared of the thing to use it. I even plugged it in and turned it on for over 5 hours sitting off to the side and it was fine, I just cant work up the nerve to try it again.

Not at the moment, but I plan on picking up a table magnifier when I start my new Ork army and DKoK force...My brother uses one, as does my dad who makes obscenely detailed F1 models.

I put other, because while I don't currently, I want to get a desktop lamp/magnifier thingy.

I haven't used any up till now, but I just got one of those headsets for Christmas, so I guess I'll give it a try.

Yeah I have too. The eyes aren't what they used to be! xD

Tabletop illuminated magnifying glass. It allows me to see detail that I would otherwise miss.

despite having nearly perfect vision, I *do* use a magnifier for fine detail work. it really makes a difference and I feel that my painting is better as a result.

I use one of those headsets that gives you true, stereoscopic vision (dual lenses). I think that's the key and what turns a lot of folks off about using magnifiers. if you're using a single lens, like one attached to a lamp, your depth perception is going to get wonky and that takes a lot of getting used to. if you use a headset with a lens for each eye (or strong reading glasses, etc), you shouldn't have any depth perception issues.

it can become a crutch, though, so you need to exercise a bit of discipline. you really don't need a magnifier to base coat, etc :p

I have the table lamp/magnifier, but I only use it for light.

The magnification messes with my aim and depth perception too much, despite being near blind, I find I do better without.

I sometimes use a magnifing glass if I can't see details very well or in awkward positions, but for the mostpart thankfully my vision is great (touchwood) so i dont need to use one.

My answer is no, but maybe not for long. I am nearsighted which has been a blessing in disguise when painting. I've noticed lately that I am losing close focus, just enough to be annoying. Getting old sucks.

I like to use reading glasses at 1.75 magnification and an Ott light. The glasses don't hinder my depth perception as much as a magnifying glass.

I don't even wear my glasses when I paint although I do use a lamp it helps me see the colors better

20/19 vision, but plenty of rest. I usually paint for one hour (one fig) then rest for 30 mins. If there a lot of layers, I can probably get away with resting while waiting for the fig to dry.

 illusion2269 wrote:
Funny, I just picked up a magnifying lamp this weekend, and it has already been very helpful with brush control and details.

I have perfect vision.

But I've been looking at buying some magnification in combination with lighting, where did you get your magnifying lamp?

The problem I have is not with my eyes it's with my unsteady hand!!

I wear reading glasses to paint.

I just get really close up to the model I'm painting. Granted, I look like Smeagol, hunched over, clutching the model to my face.

Before a few days ago, my answer would have been no. My oil sister bought me a magnifier lamp for my birthday.

I think there should have been an option for 'sometimes'...

Things like tanks, bikes, dreadnoughts = no.

Tactical marines = no.

Sergeants, characters etc (as in, those infantry minis with added details) = yes. Sometimes...

Luckily I have a zoom function built in. But I cant see more than a few meters away without my specs though!

No, but maybe some day.

I wear my cheater glasses because my 50 year old eyes are blurry... LOL

Jack_Death wrote:
My answer is no, but maybe not for long. I am nearsighted which has been a blessing in disguise when painting. I've noticed lately that I am losing close focus, just enough to be annoying. Getting old sucks.

Amen, brother, amen..... getting old in this hobby is tough on the eyes...

I voted "other", as i don't currently, but i'm considering it, especially for face painting.

I didn't used to, but in recent years I've started to use one for fine details.
I fancy one of the big ones with built in daylight lighting, but they are a little hard to come by out in Saudi.

I have perfectly good eyes and yes, I do use a magnifier while modelling/painting.

I used to use a hand-held glass to check my work and then still find little issues when I blow up photos on my computer.
But now I have a large (5 inch diameter) glass on a bendy arm that I use for all but the largest of work.

I got used to the magnification quite quickly and my hand movements now adjust automatically when working under mag'n or not.

It really helps with all the little details I like to add to my models.

I (Paul) wear a magnifying visor, just like the fella repairs Woody in Toy Story 2. I hurriedly remove them anytime I hear someone at the door.

My lap has a magnifier in it. I use it on occasion but not too often.

No, but I probably should.

Just a reading lamp. No magnifications for me. Spoils the eyes.

I use a magnifying lamp. Works best for me

This old dog has been painting since 1979 so yep.I cant always take an Illuminated magnifier with me,so I built my own glasses.

I never do. I have one of those lamps with the built-in magnifier, but never seem to need it. Even when painting tiny details like eyes.

No I don't use anything. I find it makes it difficult to judge distances

I voted no, but I had to think about it as I wear long sighted glasses.

Yes, I use this for small details



It's very handy, but the change in depth perception takes a bit of getting used to.

Tried using a couple magnifying glasses on an armature for a time, but the shifting perspective made it impossible for me to know how far I was from what I was working on - ended up stripping a number of near complete jobs due to misjudging how close the brush was to mini. Now I stick to a pair of 3X reading glasses purchased from a local book store - they're always the same distance from my eyes, so my perspective never shifts and my aging/reverting-to-the-crosseye-of-my-youth eyes can see exactly what I'm doing.

I Dont get how people can... It gets in my way and I end up getting a false sense of where my brush is!

I might try using a magnifier, but as stated, it may mess with depth perception/ ability to move hand.

 Necroagogo wrote:
I use a magnifier / daylight lamp. Handy for painting in the wee small hours once the kids and wifey are abed.

Comes in really handy for fine detail, too.

Wee hours as in...

Yes, I move my head closer to the model (so no on the vote)

I find that my hands steady themselves a bit when I look at the tip of the brush through a magnifier.

However, my eyes fatigue faster, too.

Over the counter reading glasses, +2.00, and +3.00. I like them better than a magnifying glass because they don't mess with depth perception etc.

With all the sheet amount of detail we put into each step of the hobby, I found myself painting through a magnifier a bit strenuous on eyes.

I started using an overhead magnifying lamp a year ago (a year after I started using glasses). Couldn't go back to painting without it now.

One of my eyes is much better that the other, so while I need glasses to boost the bad eye, the good eye is very very good, I have never tried magnifying my figures, maybe I will

(Other) I don't use one....at the moment. I am going to be buying one though, becasue I think it would help a great deal with both illumination and small detail painting.

I presently don't but I have been thinking about it...

I use a table-top arm magnifier that has a built-in light in it. Comes really handy, as I can change the type of bulb I have inside.

I have a magnifying lamp but only use it for the light. I guess I'm lucky enough to have good eyes to see all the detail without one. Might be the fact that I'm only 18 too.

I've also experienced that it ruins my depth perception, so I only use mine to inspect details, but not while I'm painting.

I have it built into a circular desk lamp, and while I'm always using the lamp, I rarely use the magnifier. Also the lamp often gets in the way of the brush.

I use glasses, and I've found that most of the time I'm able to see things better without the magnifier.

I don't. This issue with painting is not that I can't see what I am doing, it is that I get really jittery when painting. It is funny, I can stick a very tiny needle in a very tiny vein on a patient that is rampaging around their bed, but GOD FORBID I can paint a thin line on a model that isn't even moving.

I actually take my glasses off when I paint. It messes with my eye site when I try to paint and wear them.

Never used one, but I might in future - could be helpful for detail and stuff.

Mag lamp that clips onto my desk =D

For this one thing only I'm glad I'm bear sighted. Don't need any magnifying devices since my eyes actually work close up, lol.

No, but my eyes are getting bad enough to where I should

I use a lamp when it's dark, but otherwise no magnifier.

I only use one on occasion. The clips can sometimes be useful for modelling and for applying washes

This really needs an option for "No, but I probably should". That said I've kind of adapted a "rough" paint style that suits me quite well and which I think still looks good; gives my models a kind of dirty/worn look without specifically having to do any weathering, minimal highlighting required and such. Absolutely no freehand of any kind ever because I suck really hard at anything like that.

For under ten bucks at Harbor Freight, I picked up a "helping hands" magnifier with light and alligator clips. Inexpensive and useful.

I have a magnifier, but I've never used it. The only additional item I usually use is a lamp of some sort.

 Necroagogo wrote:
I use a magnifier / daylight lamp. Handy for painting in the wee small hours once the kids and wifey are abed.

Comes in really handy for fine detail, too.

Exactly this, including the time of night I paint.

My only issue is that sometimes you find yourself looking through the lens at a weird angle, and your depth perception/aim goes awry.

I bought a hobby lamp from Maplins about a year or two ago. It has a large round magnifying glass surround by a light. As much as I tried I can't get on with painting under magnification. Fortunately the light is great so my money wasn't wasted.
I also tend to have something to watch on either my TV or iPad and find that I become temporarily short sighted when I look up to watch a program.
I also have one of those small desktop magnifying glasses with two crocodile teeth that hold what you'r working on, this now sits in a draw unused.
I do like a gadget

3 different varieties..Main one is a lamped large glass magnifier..2nd has a set of hands to hold small parts shile i paint them and a glass that is positionable..Thrid is a jewlers loop for some fine detailing ..

I dont see how it could really help its not gonna make my hand more steady

I have a magnafyinglass/light hybrid thing. I can't recall its name off hand.

But I rarly use the magnifying portion of it as its sits at such an odd position and even then I can see my model well enough.

My eyes focus at 4 inches. When I paint the model is so close to my eyes it seems magnified.

I use both, a magnifying lamp and my reading glasses. and had to do so for about 2 years.
If I didn't I would produce blobs.

I take digital photos of painted faces with a macro lens and then mirror them. This makes errors stand out clearly and informs me where I need to lick a few more highlight or shade layers over the model.

Nope, i cant control the distances if I use a magnifier XD

Nope, no magnifiers. But I am horribly nearsighted, so I have a built in magnifier if I take off my glasses and hold the model close to my face.

 Red_Ink_Cat wrote:
Nope, no magnifiers. But I am horribly nearsighted, so I have a built in magnifier if I take off my glasses and hold the model close to my face.

Yep.

Myopia is an actual, real-life honest to gods super power.

Who knew?

It's rare, but i've used one for attaching small pieces. I don't believe in using one for painting. If you can't see it with the naked eye at 6 inches away no way in heck you opponent is going to appreciate it from two feet.

I think you guys are confused about what nearsightedness means. It doesn't give you super human close ranged vision. It is literally an issue of being unable to focus light at the correct point in eye. Nearsighted peoples vision is worse at all ranges essentially. I am near sighted - but my vision is normal with glasses. I find the mag lamp helpful for fine detail - though it is incredibly stressful and sometimes can even make you dizzy. I just started using it - it might get better over time.

 Xenomancers wrote:
I think you guys are confused about what nearsightedness means. It doesn't give you super human close ranged vision. It is literally an issue of being unable to focus light at the correct point in eye. Nearsighted peoples vision is worse at all ranges essentially. I am near sighted - but my vision is normal with glasses. I find the mag lamp helpful for fine detail - though it is incredibly stressful and sometimes can even make you dizzy. I just started using it - it might get better over time.

I disagree 100%. I am very nearsighted, and my eyes focus exceptionally well at 4 inches. At that distance, because the object is closer, it looks bigger and I can see finer detail that most people at any range (without magnification, of course.)

nope, and dont need it as i can see sharply even tough i am nearsighted.

what i DO need tough is a exo suit connetect to my hands to prevent them from shaking..........

I picked up a jewelers head magnifying thingy with a lamp last summer as I just could not see the models correctly and my painting looked like a three year old did it. Last December my company was doing some free eye exams and I found out I'm long sighted. I don't need glasses, yet anyway, but I find it hard to focus on anything close to my face so can't make out the detail without the magnifier

I use reading glasses.

I am only a couple years shy of 50 and could paint without glasses.
For the really tiny stuff it is just easier to use the jeweler's visor (less eye strain or headaches).
Reading glasses are ok in a pinch, I find the visor works better at blocking the stray light (I light the heck out of my paint area).

I unfortunately have Presbyopia (need reading glasses as my eyes don't focus up close anymore). I have to use a magnifier otherwise I can't see any detail in a miniature when painting it. I actually have two sets one with interchangeable lenses that I got for about $15 off of Amazon and I also bought one of the Donegan Optivisors. I find them both quite useful.

No, maybe I should though, when I see the detail some people can do on their models I can't imagine how they could do it without magnification.

Used to have a magnifying lens with a built in light, but I have it to my brother when his eyesight started to deteriorate.

No, but maybe I should. I think light is a bigger issue for my eyes. Sometimes I have trouble seeing where the tip of the brush is until it hits the mini..

Occasionally.

This is one of my bug bears. As I have got older my eye sight has got bad. I use reading glasses for close up work, but still need good light and nearly always wear Optivisors these days otherwise I cannot see what I am doing.

I’m near sighted, so no need

Got to break out the 'readers' when it comes to painting. These eyes ain't what they used to be!

I don't use one, but I kinda wish I did….

oh god, yes.

It depends what scale. For 40k no, but for my 1:1200 HMS victory and HMS Alexander yes definitely.

I'm starting to think i need to, especially for the eyes for minis. I struggle there.

Just the good ol issued Mk. I Eyeball

No, but it's next on my purchase list.

I've recently decided to try painting properly and I've discovered that after about half an hour of doing so my eyes get tired and need a break.

It's not an issue when you just drybrush the [Expletive Deleted] out of everything.

Well, I have a daylight lamp with a magnifying glass as well as a magnifying glass on a clamp. I tried them out years ago but I find resting my elbows on table and bringing the mini really close to my eyes for detail gives much stabler result than using a magnifying glass. My hands appear to shake like I've got hypothermia!

Might re-visit as I haven't really thought about it in a while nor used it enough to get used to it...

I use a magnifier lamp combined with a regular 6500K lamp. And still the amount of light is nowhere enough for my old eye. Getting a more powerful lamp is just a matter of time. Old geezers like me need insane brightness for working on a small scale like 28mm minis, I just read surgery rooms use insane lighting, and it makes a lot of sense really.

I hadn't thought of the depth perception loss earlier.. explains why it takes getting used to the magnifier part

So far no, but who knows what the future would bring?

Getting a magnifier is like making a deal with Tzeentch. You will gain knowledge, and there will be a price.

Seeing the flaws and mistakes in my painting that I would not have noticed brought to mind that Marine chapter that fell to Chaos because Tzeentch gave them the ability to discern all the lies they were told.

Generally, no. Though I did buy a magnifying device (with illumination), I found it unhelpful for painting. On rare occasion, I find it useful for modeling.

The results of this poll surprise me.

Starting to paint miniatures again has simply shown me how bad my eyes are even with glasses. Not even sure if its the mini I have painted and not my finger instead.

So yes I do need a little extra help with seeing close up.

Hopefully I will obtain a new pair of glasses soon.

Old age is finally affecting me, I have to use these sexy 2.5X reading glasses that look reminiscent of the glasses McCoy gave Kirk in Wrath of Khan.

I didn't use any magnification up until I hit about 35 years of age. I now have a 2.5 or 3x (I forget) magnifier glasses that I use for many infantry models that require detail work. I wouldn't say I needed them, but it is a lot more comfortable and I can feel that my eyes don't have to work as hard. Feels like a good policy to not put undue strain on my eyes.

No but i actually told my wife yesterday i need one cause I cant make out some detail on the faces.

I was gifted a magnifying lamp for Christmas and it's an absolute game-changer.

The other way round. I take off my glasses when painting details.

After some experiments with various magnifying solutions, I'm coming to the conclusion that the combo of using reading glasses (+3.0 in my case) and a jeweller's loupe for exteme closeup inspections, is a better fit for me than anything else. The loss of depth perception is too great with a larger magnifying glass IME, reading glasses dont enlarge as much but depth perception is way better