What kind of magnifying glass does everyone use?

I need to find a good magnifying glass to look at butterfly eggs and cats. Mine is small, and not very good.
Also, what strenght do you have?

~Lucy

Hi, BlueGlancer---Thank you for bringing this up, since I am interested in the same thing....

I don't know anything about magnifiers, but I did purchase my Swift binocs from Opticsplanet (which was recommended by the Swift Co. Main Office). Opticsplanet seems to have quite a few magnifiers listed and some good descriptions and explanations.

http://www.opticsplanet.net/how-to-choose-loupes-and-magnifiers.html

http://www.opticsplanet.net/magnifiers.html

I will be interested to hear what more experienced DGers have to say, though.

While we're on the subject of 'lenses'-- Does anyone have the book "Butterflies Through Binoculars"? I have heard it's very good but am waiting to buy the book... am wondering if it's worth it?....

http://www.amazon.com/Butterflies-through-Binoculars-Eastern-America/dp/0195106687

Thanks. t.

Thanks for the links, t. : )

Looky what I found. Aren't they cute? lol http://www.treasuredfinds.com/p.asp?p=6511&parid=39

~Lucy

Ha, ha! For some reason Opticsplanet isn't carrying those!

Very cute, though, I agree! I can just see you out there looking for eggs with that one!

I usually use my Papillon close focusing binoculars :o) which work great!!!...but I also carry a large (4" diameter) 6x magnifying glass in my camera bag...and I also have one of those large desk top magnifying lamps on my computer desk. You know the kind they sell for cross stitching and such and it has a fluorescent ring (bulb) around the glass.

Used to use a jewelers 10x loupe but those things are just too tiny to piddle with!

~ Cat

This message was edited Jul 23, 2007 9:54 PM

So, a 6x works pretty good for looking at eggs and tiny cats, Cat?

cats, Cat. lol : )

~Lucy

I still use my Pentax Papilio close focusing binocs - they are 6.5x21. Work extremely well on small eggs...and of course, they are the ones I use for butterflying.

As for magnifying glasses...a 10x works but if you can find a 20 or 30x they are even better....trouble is most places don't make big ones...and the jewelers loupes that are 30x are so tiny...quite worthless to me.

Got to thinking...am not sure what the big magnifying glass is that I use...I thought 6x but it seems to work extremely well. I can hold it about 12" away and see great with it. Here's a photo of the screen :o)

~ Cat

ps...and I only paid $3.00 for it at a local flea market. I got a couple for myself and one for my Dad...so he can read the newspaper with.

This message was edited Jul 23, 2007 9:55 PM

Yep, that works pretty good. : )

Is that 2 butterfly eggs on the bottom of your magnifing glass? lol You better check. ; )

...oops...and it's 5" in diameter. Here it is against a 12" floor tile for reference.

~ Cat

ha ha...nope a reflection from the overhead ceiling fan. :o)

~ Cat

Oh no...6 eggs now. lol : )

That's a pretty good size M Glass. That is about what I need. : )

Yeah, I couldn't see past the end of my nose without my glasses or contacts but I could easily read the 25 states on the back of a $5 bill. I had lasik last year and now I can see distance great but can't see stuff 12" away without the use of my reading glasses...getting old sucks!!! LOL!!! That's why I keep several magnifying glasses a good 20 or so pair of reading glasses all around the house, in the car, at work etc.

-------- TABASCO ---------

I have Butterflies through Binoculars for Florida. First off Glassberg is a friend so I'll recommend his book :o) However, if you're looking for a butterfly identification guide please get the Kaufman Focus Guide by Brock and Kaufman first. That is truly the best field guide on the market in my opinion. It covers all of North America.

Now if you're wanting to get regional then yes, getting books for a particular state or region helps narrow down the field with regards to butterflies in a certain area.

Jeff's book has the butterfly common name, scientific name, page number referencing more details and map info on the left page. Butterfly (identified by common name) photos (ventral and dorsal) on the right page. The vental photos are about 2"x2" and the dorsal to 2"x2.5". All the photos are excellent...very clear colorful ones that range from 1/2x the life size for big butterflies like the swallowtails to 2x the life size for smaller butterflies like skippers. He also includes photos of summer and winter forms of some speices. Some photos are bigger.

The left side of the page gives a brief...very brief description and the map range. Detailed species accounts (common name, scientific name, plate reference, size, similar species, habitat, range, abundance, major food plant, garden tips and other comments) found in the second half of the book.

He has an introductory section on how to identify butterflies, how to find them, butterfly biology, butterfly gardening, how to photograph, conservation, landscape etc. and he also includes a section on butterfly silhouettes (great for making those quick identifications). At the back of the book he gives specific information on the species occuring in Florida as strays, a checklist, organization list and a glossary.

If you wish send d-mail and I'll send you some photos of various pages in the book for a look-see.

I got it because Texas and Florida have many of the same species and well, heck, I just collect butterfly and moths books :o)

~ Cat

"At the back of the book he gives specific information on the species occuring in Florida as strays"

That's interesting.

~Lucy

:o) we get strays here in south Texas too...they are not native to this area, not common nor do they breed here. They always make butterfly news :o) More so if they are gorgeous Clearwings prevalent to Costa Rica.

Also had to include this photo of butterfly eggs...since it resembles the reflection on my magnifying glass photos.

~ Cat

ps...wasn't it in one of those X-files show about three dots in a triangular formation as the mark of an alien abduction? I've got alien Guava Skippers in my yard!!! ROLF!!!

LOL,........you better rearrange your ceiling fan lights also. (lights flickering, scary music in background)

LOL : )

Thanks, TPP, for the review of "Butterflies Through Binoculars". I thought from the name that it had something to do with using binoculars in a special way to see butterflies...(and I just got my new binoculars, so my curiosity was piqued!) In any case, it sounds like a good book.

I empathize with your vision issues. I had Lasik done last year and am running into the same problems! Brilliant vision far away but I can't read anything on the end of my nose.

I didn't think it would be much of a problem, but I just washed 3 huge loads of laundry on the 'extra small load' setting and am doing that sort of thing all the time. I have just four pairs of 'readers' around the house, and I guess I have to stock up on a few more!