Any kid who’s ever wanted to play detective has had a magnifier – what was good enough for Sherlock Holmes is good enough. The number one tool for seeing things more clearly (absolutely necessary when hunting the Baskerville’s hound), magnifiers bring the smallest detail into sharp focus. How? By using a simple principle of optical physics wherein a convex lens, usually fashioned out of glass, makes things look bigger. They’re accredited to a scientist named Alhzen back in the eleventh century. So now you know how they work, how do you use a magnifier? Here are some tricks and tips for effective magnification.
Choose the right type.
There are different types of magnifiers, including handheld, stand, illuminated, and loupes – even microscopes fall into the category. Each one is suitable for specific tasks, so think about how you’re going to use it. Handheld magnifiers are suitable for reading small print or examining small objects, and they are portable and easy to use. Stand magnifiers, on the other hand, are ideal for when you need to be hands-free while illuminated magnifiers provide additional light, making it easier to see small details.
Magnifiers come in different magnification levels, ranging from 2x to ‘I’m looking for a black hole beyond the solar system’. So think about how much detail you need to see and what you need to magnify. If you’re in a lab it’ll be very different from reading a magazine for instance. If you’re reading small print, a magnification level of 2x to 4x may be sufficient. However, if you’re examining a coin or a stamp, you may need a magnification level of 10x or higher.
Move the magnifier around.
To get clarity you may need to move the magnifier to find the best focal position. There’s usually a small sweet spot where the image or text is in focus, so moving the magnifier around can help you find it. Keep your eyes focused on the object or text, not the magnifier, and move in small increments until you find the best position.
Crucial when using a magnifier is proper lighting. Make sure you’re in a well-lit room, near a window or lamp, or use a magnifier that has built-in illumination. Insufficient lighting can cause eye strain and make it difficult to see small details.
Position the magnifier correctly.
It’s important to position a magnifier correctly to get the best magnification. Finding the right position also depends on how much magnification your lens is capable of. The higher the magnification level, the closer you need to hold the magnifier to the object or text to keep it in focus.
Although it looks cool in movies, don’t hold the magnifier at arm’s length as it defeats the purpose. The lens usually works best close to your eye so that’s where you should have it. Use your dominant eye and for further clarity, close the other one. This will help bring the tiniest details to life, and not just for detectives.