Magnifiers allow us to see things that the eye can’t. They have been around since the 13th century and have been used for many different things including correcting eyesight and home DIY projects that require slightly more attention to detail.
Many people will have used magnifying glasses throughout their school life and have a basic understanding of what they do. This article, however, will delve a little deeper into the world of magnifiers.
We will inform you about what they are, how they work and what you can use them for. By the end of this piece, you’ll be an expert in the field so read on to find out more.
What exactly is a magnifier?
This convex lens is used to produce a magnified image of whatever object is in front of you to allow for greater visuals of it. This can be extremely useful for those with bad eyesight or those doing something that can’t be seen by the naked eye.
As we are living in a digital age, magnifiers have too been modified to allow for use on smartphones, tablets and computers. This means that magnifiers can be used no matter what we are doing.
How exactly do they work?
Lenses refract light to create a magnified effect. This is done because the lens is thicker in the middle than the edges. This causes the light to diverge into the principal focus. This is what creates the magnified image.
What are magnifiers used for?
Magnifiers have many unique uses that can be used on a professional or hobbyist level. They include:
- Sewing rips in jeans.
- Knitting a woolly jumper for winter.
- Soldering a circuit board for a robotics project.
- Reading a document of high importance that has small fonts. E.g. a contract of employment.
- Detecting wear on collectible coins.
- Stamp collectors check the condition and quality of the stamp.
What to consider when purchasing a magnifier?
There are many types of magnifiers that can be purchased depending on your budget and what you need them for. You’ll need to consider the following:
- The number of elements. The more there are, the better the resolution of magnification.
- Working distance. High-powered magnifiers are used for close-up inspections.
- Field of View. This refers to how much you need to be able to see.
- Eye relief. This is the maximum distance the eye should be from the magnifier and still provide a clear view.
- Depth of field. The depth of the field increases as the power decreases.
- Coating. Magnifiers can come with anti-reflection coatings which will reduce light loss.
- Magnification. Simply how much you need to magnify to do the task at hand.
