Improve Your Warhammer Miniature Painting With These Magic Glasses

[@Almightyrastus]

With all of these options, the one thing that I will add is that if you have any sort of astigmatism, then any sort of non-prescription lenses will not sort out the distortion that the astigmatism can cause. So, if you can wear your normal prescription glasses with a drop down magnifier over the top you may find that a better option. Thankfully I am still at the point where I can just take off my distance glasses and I am fine, but after my next checkup I think I shall be getting some prescription readers as I have quite strong astigmatism in my right eye.

[@jasondowning8658]

I have astigmatism in both eyes and the off the shelf visor I use works just fine even without my glasses.

[@tuvaaq]

Some comments say they are fine but I guess it depends on the astigmatism, my left eye is on an axis of 165/180 and like you I struggle with off the shelf.

[@WarChimp]

I need to try something as I haven't been painting or reading, as I need reading glasses but don't have them yet. I tried varifocals but couldn't get on with them. The natural ageing that causes you to need reading glasses does reduce the effect of astigmatism, at according to one Opthalmologist I spoke too last year. That multi-lense set looks great for someone who is constantly looking over his glasses to read his phone and just gives up for anything other than driving or T.V. now 😄.

[@tuvaaq]

@@WarChimp I would honestly try the method Luke was quick to dismiss and that's the magnifier not attached to your head. If it's big enough for both eyes, depth perception isn't a problem, it is a learning curve for brush strokes however. Kind of like adjusting to a high sensitivity mouse on a computer. It's all subjective but a head visor for me is fine if I'm removing flash and mould lines from a batch of minis but brush from pallet or pot to model not so much.

[@whittaker007]

You can get reading magnifiers that clip on to your regular glasses. That way you get your regular lens correction and add the magnification on top of that, and you can flip them up if you need to see at normal distances for a bit.

[@NateArnoldVideos]

I have used those cheaper white glasses for years. I love them. Never had any real issues with the split in the lenses.

[@nrgspike]

This is timely! As someone rapidly approaching their mid-40s, my minimum focusing distance has fallen off a cliff in the last year. Barely painted anything of late cos I can't focus on the tip of the brush at a close enough distance to be controllable/precise - so this may be the first time I actually click on an affiliate link and buy something! Cheers!

[@elbanditouk]

This :) (Although i've just sailed past the mid 40s mark)

[@LylaMev]

Thanks for the info! I have always hated most magnifying accessories.

[@rickybell2190]

Went to asda opticians and took my a couple of my figures that I paint. They sat with me going through the lenses til I was happy. Once I got them I couldn't have been happier, a pair of detailed glasses for close detail painting....and I'm a 6mm player.

[@sergioazevedo4267]

As someone who's blind in one eye, depth perception has always been a problem. Magnifying glasses are a complete necessity for me to paint, especially small details. I use the same pair you showed that are black with the removable light on the right side (I took the light off after 10 seconds of wearing them). I also use the 1+2 combo, but if I'm doing just tiny detail, I'll keep just the 2 on and remove the other lens to make it lighter.

[@kaibe5241]

I’m slowly losing depth due to my right eye going to shit. Will need a magnifying glass very soon. If I can’t paint I’d be very depressed.

[@emceedoctorb3022]

I have a lazy eye so I’ve never had any real depth perception. I’ve never needed any sort of magnification and I can paint to quite a high standard. However now I’m in my 50s my eyesight is naturally deteriorating so probably sooner or later I’ll have to get some sort of magnifier.

[@bidensniffsithuntersmokesi9413]

what are the ones with the removable light called? I can't see it anywhere

[@ruddendave]

I'm sorry to hear about your eye, but I'm glad that those ones seem to work for you - I'm looking at possibly losing vision in my right eye and having to paint with a patch, so it is a huge relief to hear that magnifying glasses can help.

[@metajock]

I just ordered the ones you said were the best about two hours before you posted this. Glad you covered this, a lot of us are getting older and we need this info. I learned from little old ladies doing cross stitch how well these work, and they've been doing this kind of close-up work long before us!!! Bang on video, thanks and keep it up!

[@jonathanmasters5442]

I've also got the white ones - yes they're a bit heavy, but I do like being able to look past the lenses e.g to my palette, and the adjustable LED light above your nose is great when the light in my painting location is less than ideal.

[@jonathanmasters5442]

Still can't paint eyes either though ! !

[@davidblechynden5322]

I use a 5x magnification ring light which I picked up pretty cheap. I paint almost everything using it. I just find it helps me get better control on edges, on blending colours, and on seeing the small details. I love it. It works great for me.

[@monkehbwoy]

I paint a lot of smaller scale (6mm-12mm) and would 100% recommend reading glasses (i have a pair of +3). Just put them on the tip of your nose and you can use them to paint and look around without getting dizzy :)

[@waynegoldpig2220]

Get half moon glasses and you can wear them normally.

[@johnclarke25]

After suffering from double vision from being diabetic I switched to a visor type with my reading glasses to paint just over a year ago,happy 62nd birthday,but find them a great help now and great for figures from 12mm to 54mm.

[@prickswithstix1113]

I have a pair like your white ones by Visionaid. I will agree they are bigger than black frames, but they have different lenses that are larger and shaped different. I do not experience the line or fish eye problems with these. The light works very well and adjustability allows me to ware my glass. They have removable ear arms and you. An use an elastic strap. But I still agree the are bulky but I like them better than multiply readers. But I am going to order the black ones and give them a try! Great vid and thanks!!

[@crazy3M411]

I recently have started painted minis and i love this video as i have been searching for something to help with seeing the detail so i can paint the minis. Thank for the ideas and the insight now i have a direction to go.

[@anthonywaggett9317]

I have been using the 2nd type you showed for a couple of years now as they were about £7 on Wish and also came with an elastic head band as an alternative to the arms. The biggest difference between your pair and what I had is that the lenses are more like the 3rd type - glasses shaped and much larger than the rectangles. I also just had go look at mine to see if they had the line down the middle, they do but I have never noticed it when painting (although me mam said I've gone cross eyed!)

[@dlc8448]

I bought a pair of the white frame jobbies a year or so ago off the back of your suggestion Luke, best thing I did. You're right, they're fricking heavy on your nose and I'm forever pushing them back up. Might treat myself to some of those black framed ones to save my nose bridge

[@JEGranberg]

I use magnifiers all the time. I helps with dealing with eye strain. My pair has several lenses I can use to increase the magnification. It also has a lamp that helps too.

[@moodyminis9896]

I'm in the planning stages of a big project and was looking into the white set. Going to look into the second set now. Thanks for saving me the money.

[@VengD]

I personally really like the single-glass-things... Bought one way back when I first started painting. Screw it on to the table, and it's very easy to move around and out of the way and so on. Was with a very nice neutral light too. And I still use it. It took a while to get used to. Kept hitting the glass and wasn't sure where my brush were in 3d space. But once you get it down, it's just easy and useful.

[@bshean72]

Really appreciate this video, the frustration is real and this is a big help!

[@soundgarden8885]

Josh the Supersayan!!! Dayum!!

[@Tigerfan-qx2xq]

That opening line literally made me spit my drink out

[@dustinzaccaria7644]

Hi Luke, Greta vid. I’ve found the best solution for me is a pair of readers from the pharmacy and a an LED light on a headband I got from a boating, camping and fishing store. I have Keratoconus which is a degenerative disease of the eyes where you end up with misshapen cornea, which at the moment is so bad I choose not to drive anymore, and the only way of it getting better will be a cornea transplant or special contacts, but when I do hobby the readers and headlight headband are the best combo I’ve come up with. But thanks for making this video, I appreciate it, as I’m sure a lot of others do also.

[@waynegoldpig2220]

Same here. Readers and a head torch. Much better than those chinese headsets.

[@ThePaintingCoach]

Great video mate - will give them a go as I have yet to find anything that works for me

[@rogerbowen5753]

Late to the party I know, but, based on your recommendation, I bought the black ones you showed. They are great! The fixed lenses gave me just the amount of magnification I needed and I didn't need either of the clip on ones. I have just the one light in the centre of my room so the one on the mags is perfect for what I need. I heard others mention JML Mighty Sight, I tried them and they were plain awful, they were really tacky, cheap feeling and the field of view was really narrow. Thanks again for the recommendation. I got mine on eBay, but they came from Amazon.

[@RayWalters]

Came here for the glasses, laughed HARD at the opening line about eyes.

[@michaelg.1786]

So timely! I'm a plus one reader user and got a nice laugh over the magnifying stand. My stand has paint marks all over it from the brush tip due to the loss of depth perception!

[@LPP_YT]

Cheers for taking the time to review and explain, my close work eyesight is still 'OK' but not like it was 10 years ago, so just picked up some reader to test.

[@xephorce]

I have a simple set of magnifiers that clip on the side of my glasses and help me so much. being on the side like they are I can use them and not feel sick like the ones that magnifiy for both eye. really cheap $5 at harbor Freight.

[@RamblesWorkshop]

ive just bought the first glasses you showed, the bulky white ones, will say the line in the middle is not visible in the slightest if you use them properly, its supposed to sit right over the bridge of your nose, if you can see it then theres something direly wrong with how your wearing them 😅 only way i could see it at all on mine was to close one eye and hold the model right over to the side out of my normal range of view

[@BarbarosaAlexander]

I picked up the excel deluxe magnivisor. I love it! Three magnification options (though I never use the loupe). And you can push up the glass entirely if you need to see something further away. It's not sexy, and it doesn't have a light, but it's easy enough to use that I once left the house with it still on my head.

[@karenreardon1372]

I wear glasses, so I love the second white set. My set comes with the lens type of the third set you showed, so I don’t have that funky line in the middle. I’ve used the for over a year, and I’ve never had a problem with them.

[@rDunfee]

I've got the second pair you showed off but I've got the version that has a strap. I find it holds better on my head that way and I get much better use out of them. My vision isn't too bad so I mostly use 1x or just nothing and use the light

[@tinaprice4948]

No bragging about your eyes young whippersnapper :P

[@Vertrucio]

I strongly suggest people first look to upgrading the lighting in their painting area before they look into magnifiers. If you don't have proper detailed task lighting, such as two bright working lamps from two angles, then no amount of magnification will help.

[@dougsundseth6904]

The biggest problem for me with the large single lens magnifier lamps is that I always hit the lens with the back of the brush, and usually at the worst possible time. For magnification, I really like the actual Donegan Optical Optivisor. You can exchange the lenses and flip the lenses out of the way for more normal view. You can also get an LED attachment that gives you bright, soft lighting. Unfortunately, mine has a kind of terrible switch and cold LEDs, but having that light is still really useful. All that said, if you're near-sighted you can just take off your glasses (barring a serious astigmatism problem), since near-sightedness is optically equivalent to a magnifying lens in front of your eyes. (And you can add more magnification if you need that as well.)

[@bergeracvandamme]

Yeah my distance vision is pretty crap but the upside is that I could read a paragraph off a pinhead!

[@hughmac7423]

I wear glasses, short sighted, I've had to use magnification for over 10 years, I'm 59, have been painting for 30 years. I get by with using 1.5+, 2+ or 2.5+ reading glasses, I wear them in addition to my glasses, low on my nose. Suits me fine, as I can have something playing on the PC while I paint.

[@GooglyEyedSkull]

Well timed mate. I have been struggling with my varifocals in just the way you described and thinking of late, and have now just 'pulled the trigger', got myself a pair.

[@Sue_Me_Too]

I've got one of those lamp things with a built in magnifying glass and I like to use that for painting.

[@euansmith3699]

The Ginger D makes a spectacle of himself. Thanks for another down to earth video.

[@jlpytlewski]

I use the 2nd type you showed, over a set of readers...flip the magnifier up when I just need the glasses. Without either, I`d have to hold the mini at arms length to see it...lol.

[@michaelthomas3209]

I ordered the one you recommended and it's really good!

[@chaoticpainting1507]

I have the white pair, but my lenses look different, while they still have that divide in the middle, they're bigger and not square, they're rounded and have a dip where the nose goes... they work just fine for my aged eyes... I like the flip down option and you're right about those little lights, they're worthless for painting lol, however, i have used it to read at night while the wife sleeps and it's perfect for that.

[@sarahdisco-dolly1150]

I'll try out the one's you are using, order placed

[@jacksheppard9754]

There is a pair called mighty sight, which are like a cheap pair with a light built into the frame. I find it pretty good

[@patrickparsons2378]

If you have to use magnifiers to paint details (excepting problems with sight imparement) then you don't need to show them. Those details will be lost on the tabletop when viewed from normal gaming height. I used to use a magnifier years ago because I tried to paint my 25mm (that shows my age) like I would a 54mm. I eventually abandoned using one when I considered what you could actually see at the distance the figures are scaled at: 25/28mm= 80 yards, 15mm= 120 yards. Out went painting eyes, eyebrows, 12 O'Clock shadows etc.

[@waynegoldpig2220]

That's nonsense. Magnification comes with dioptre correction. Dioptre correction means you can focus closer. The increase in magnification is just beneficial side effect.

[@gutshotcrypto3559]

wow Vikings looks dope asf. thanks for showing me this Luke!

[@SkovboDK]

I got prescription glasses.. but was lucky to find some magnification glasses to wear in front of my own for 4£ in aldi ..

[@Bigelsiet]

Mate another great and helpful vid, I have the white ones and they are too heavy for longer painting session I’m getting the lighter ones now thanks dude

[@chrisu94]

Good topic. I am getting older myself an thought about some glasses. I think i made my decission after your video.

[@whittaker007]

I've tried a few of these, and I find most of them to be a bit uncomfortable for long periods. The best option for me is cheap +3 reading glasses, or the clip on attachments over my regular glasses which I can flip up in case I'm painting in front of the telly.

[@philgee486]

My normal reading prescription is +2 in both eyes with no astigmatism so £10 non-prescription readers are just as good for me as prescribed. For painting I've a pair of +3 for general work simply because I paint a lot closer to my face than I'd want to hold a book, and a pair of +6 for detail painting and actually seeing how good my blends are, I can't paint without them. That would be the same as someone with good eyesight buying +3 or +4 readers, so long as you bring the subject up to the eye to focus it and don't strain to still look at something too close or too far away there's no downside. I do change them out or take them off as needed, I've never considered it an actual downside, they live on my brush stand and it's less trouble than picking out and changing brushes. I also chose frames that if I wear them a little lower I can look over the top to choose paint and see what the dog's doing. I do use a fixed magnifier on a stand too sometimes if I want to keep track of something on TV whilst I paint. I've got examples of all of the others, the hinge up ones I find a bit heavy, especially when the second optic is raised out of the way and drags the balance forward and down my nose, I definitely prefer swapping instead. The white ones are useless. Each to his own and a very thoughtful and worthwhile vid (as usual)

[@waynegoldpig2220]

I'm almost exactly the same as you. My +6's though are half-moon type, so I can look over the top of them without them hanging off my nose. I wear +2 readers for airbrushing. the +6's are for detail.

[@rallyfeind]

I use the ones that have the visor and headband style like a restoration painter would use. There are multiple magnifications and they run the same price as most of the decent headsets and Jeweler loupes on frames. This also sound odd to some but if you have something with a regular pattern or points that are reasonably in view both with and without magnifier it gives you visual reference of location in the space better. This is more for beginning use but it is a usefull tool to remember if you are having issues from taking a break for eye fatigue frequently or getting that pesky texture that makes it harder to do detail because it blurs while staring it seems.

[@GooglyEyedSkull]

Best intro EVAR. I’m after a pair myself (older fart)!

[@gehtgooglenixan8138]

i personally prefer my lupe table lamp and the cheap magnifying glasses from amazon. I have no problems with the combination. and I cannot understand the described fish-eye effect of the cheap magnifying glasses with the interchangeable lenses. maybe it's because you're looking at the miniature through the camera, through the glasses. I use the combination for all work on my miniatures...fine details, eyes etc. especially since I find the two LED lights on the glasses mega bright. Light up the miniatures nicely. but everyone has their preferences.

[@nobody342]

I paint 15mm and I use a pair of +2.5 and a pair of +6 reading glasses. seems like a great and cheap option to me

[@JEGranberg]

They also have head magnifiers that are a head loop if you already wear glasses.

[@stoneglobe4879]

So the big thing to point out is that if you already wear glasses to correct vision and still want magnification them most of those options aren't suitable as you can't wear you're regular glasses with them. I have the white version and I can wear them with my regular glasses, though I did have to modify them slightly.

[@WebPixies]

I've always used reader glasses over my prescription glasses when working on my miniature projects. A bonus is how much it entertains me how silly it looks.

[@waynegoldpig2220]

Just get prescription readers with the combined dioptre of both. My reading prescription is +2.00, but my painting glasses are +6.00.

[@cynicalmamc]

Have you seen the JML Magnifying glasses? Just under 20 quid in ASDA. I got them when my close up vision started going but the optician insisted I didn't need readers yet. They've worked for me and they have a light

[@mikesmith2905]

Nice summary, as I wear glasses I found a cheap knock-off 'optivisor' worked well, it comes down over my prescription glasses and I like the built-in lights (but I use ready-readers a lot as well)

[@waynegoldpig2220]

I hate those. You can't look over the top of them.

[@PaintsOnA4Up]

I’ve got a degenerative eye condition, and will possibly be blind at some point in my life (I’ll rebrand to “Blind Man Paints” eventually 😂) and I know I’ll be needing this at some point :) currently I’ve got eye surgery, contact lenses and glasses all so I can see 😂 corneal transplants have helped me soooooo much with my painting level! Really happy with how it has worked (also makes me legal to drive 💪). I’ll keep this video saved for later years. Thank you :)

[@GeeksZilla]

Check with yer option before using reading glasses, mine told me off for calling what reading glasses do as magnification.

[@GunwitchUK]

Great vid Luke. I wear vari-focals and they're annoying to paint with, but my reading glasses are pretty good but not the best. Will look into those glasses type you raved about. Cheers

[@mikefisher8563]

I looked and the Amazon link is a different model now for the black ones that you recommended

[@d-emprahexpects]

Aaah yes the crazy goggles. I can't wait to hear "hii I'm home" and look up through those like a 90' scifi crazy scientist

[@LadyB_miniatures]

I have a magnifying lens thats on my desk as well as magnifying glasses (which i wear if im not wearing my glasses cos the nose clips hurt) its been a god send as im extremely short sighted without my glasses on makes painting really small eyes somewhat easier lol

[@CrimsonTemplar2]

Thanks for the recommendation!

[@uriance88]

Rather than a dental lamp, scale model builders have been using 'helping hand' magnifiers for years - about 9 quid on the UK amazon site and $15 in Canada

[@stephenrenwick8781]

I use 3.5x reading glasses, they are quite small do I can look over the top of them to watch KZbin or grab the paints.

[@Darman-in8mt]

I finally get it Quid is just slang for the Pound Like Buck is our slang for the Dollar. Right! And yes I like your Focus on the specs. Cost wise the readers do the trick. I myself love and play World of Warships. These games can help with the BS and stress of life. Another Thumbs up. The added Bloopers and Horse play is Cool. Well, For now Over and Out.

[@marcusorme261]

This is the exact video I needed - thanks! 😁

[@johnengineernerd5416]

I have the white ones. But have the elastic band on them so they don't slide around on me

[@madprophetus]

I am an old bastard. I can't paint without these glasses.

[@thomasbraden8242]

I have the white pair and have never noticed the issue in the center. The nose piece however is a bit painful at times.

[@joshuawhalen6483]

Thanks for another helpful video i always love the content you put up i wanted to ask What are the second to last glasses called so i can look them up/buy...anyways looking forward to your next video!

[@TylerProvick]

I love and hate my mag visor. I must wear glasses as I have an astigmatism - there is no distance at which things become clear. I have one that uses a strap to hold on instead of going over top of my nose.

[@NightTerrorsNetwork]

How is Josh getting more Saiyan every time I see him

[@johnlanger7852]

I use these sort of glasses they are great.

[@MrVuvuzaala]

I also have to wear varifocal specs permanently, so I bought a set of the white ones that you've shown, from ebay (think they cost £12?). I had to remove the arms and use the elastic band so that I could wear them over my varifocal specs. I have not yet encountered the 'fish-eye' problem with them, and find them pretty good for what I require vision wise. However, I do need to make sure I use the correct x-magnifier, or I start to get a headache, but that is easily rectified by just changing the lens. 😵😵‍💫🧐🔎 🥸🤓👓🖌👍

[@Bunyip_Studios]

I took a mini with me to the opticians, showed him where I hold it when I'm painting, and he did another prescription for my "modelling glasses", just got those put into cheap frames

[@Bunyip_Studios]

@@GeekGamingScenics ouch!!

[@blastingphoenix401]

Very helpful! I was about to order exactly the white one before this video. :D Is the better version wearable with normal glasses underneath?

[@Simon-rd3pc]

Isn't the break in the centre so that you have effectively two lenses and keep the depth perception?

[@helotaxi]

My near vision went from 20/15 to 20/100 in the span of about 6 months. Frustrating as hell for life in general but made getting a pair of magnifying lenses for painting an absolute necessity.

[@YTAlpha01]

You just saved me from flushing some money down the toilet! Thanks for the informative video.

[@stevewagstaff7250]

I've just gone through the process of moving from glasses to contacts. Due to an issue with my left eye I've had to go for the hard contacts to help resolve that. I'm still getting used to wearing them for painting but it's been a huge help! Now I'm away from glasses for the majority of the day I've been wondering about these magnification devices and if they would actually help me or not. I'll take a look into them after seeing this though.

[@chrisburrows1380]

Just remember to blink a lot when painting with contacts! They can dry out pretty quickly from sustained focus but I find if you try to blink a bit more than ususal when painting it helps!

[@Eurobunneh]

I’m partially blind in my right eye, my eyesight is -7.5 and I’ve got massive floaters. I’m literally close to quitting painting.

[@thra-x1855]

i probably would have taken an axe tot hat pile after the blender broke. on the bright side, you may have all the plastic you need to make a replacement part for the blender.

[@drfaustus1553]

Good vid especially as you have just got everyone into small scale gaming 😉 On a side note any tips for making boards using EVA floor tiles? Been looking at using some and using a heat gun to get some rigid lightweight durable boards

[@novaenforcer1563]

Have you tried one of those monocles that watch repairmen use

[@bww33]

I ordered a similar headset after watching this, thought it was a great idea! The headset I got had a focal point of about 1.5 inches though, so my mini would be damn near touching my nose if I used them. So no good. Searching for other options!

[@bww33]

@@GeekGamingScenics Came with a few magnifications - the problem is my eye prescription - my eyes are just too crappy and not compatible with the magnifiers. Will have to try another type!

[@shadowandson3550]

I recently got an actual Microscope and was wondering what you think of using one for miniature painting?

[@MaybeLater82]

Miss your videos Luke....hope you're doing well in your new job ..

[@chadcaughmann7898]

I tried these years ago, and don’t like them. They exhausted my eyes having to look through the lens and then not to get new paint. Constantly changing depth focus made my eyes hurt. I’ve tried both the stationary desk lamp lens, as well as the flip down goggle lens thingies. I don’t like any of them, as I have the same problem of eye fatigue as a result of using them.

[@waynegoldpig2220]

I have tried them ALL and the absolute best solution for me was prescription reading glasses of the half-moon variety. They allow you to look over the top of them at your palette, tablet, phone etc without having them hanging off the end of the nose. Coupled with a rechargable LED head torch this is miles better than those optically poor chinese headsets.

[@bonitabromeliads]

I didn't realize I was getting old until I tried to start painting minis. So blurry trying to paint those eyes on...

[@enricobononi8655]

I’ve just moved to progressive lenses and I still need something which magnify more than my glasses. Which one of these glasses can work in conjunction with prescription glasses?

[@grant8653]

It is like someone tried to sculpt Jazza manly.... Instant sub

[@miniscool5613]

The intro alone was worth the like 🤣

[@geekfreak69]

Magic Lenses are a godsend

[@lartus8027]

Ty just what i needed.

[@xommul79]

I wondered where you had gone!

[@hashrat]

Seen any other links for your recommended ones? That Amazon seller ripped me off and I don't see them elsewhere online.