I couldn't find a recent thread on this so I thought I would start a new one.
I am getting into PCB assembly for DIY purposes using SMD parts with small pitch, e.g. 0.5mm-0.65mm TSSOP, QFP, etc. In order to see what I am doing, I'd like to get one of those lamps with built in lighting and a magnifying lens. I've seen some with 3-5 DIOPTER, which is only like 1.75x-2.25x magnification. This seems pretty low for what I need and I understand that the depth of focus and field of view will go down as magnification power goes up. But I am thinking that a 5x power (16 diopter) would be about right.
I've found a couple of not too expensive (<$100) options:
5x Mag 16 Diopter 5"x7" Magnifying Swing Arm Desk Lamp
Desk Clamp 5x Magnifying Lamp
These would be used for soldering. I might get a higher power loupe or cheap boom scope for inspection work later on if needed but the field of view gets pretty small for these (<1inch).
What would you recommend? What do you use? Any tips would be appreciated.
-Charlie
I am getting into PCB assembly for DIY purposes using SMD parts with small pitch, e.g. 0.5mm-0.65mm TSSOP, QFP, etc. In order to see what I am doing, I'd like to get one of those lamps with built in lighting and a magnifying lens. I've seen some with 3-5 DIOPTER, which is only like 1.75x-2.25x magnification. This seems pretty low for what I need and I understand that the depth of focus and field of view will go down as magnification power goes up. But I am thinking that a 5x power (16 diopter) would be about right.
I've found a couple of not too expensive (<$100) options:
5x Mag 16 Diopter 5"x7" Magnifying Swing Arm Desk Lamp
Desk Clamp 5x Magnifying Lamp
These would be used for soldering. I might get a higher power loupe or cheap boom scope for inspection work later on if needed but the field of view gets pretty small for these (<1inch).
What would you recommend? What do you use? Any tips would be appreciated.
-Charlie
16dioptre is equivalent to 62.5mm focal length.
That is similar to standard 35mm camera lens.
F1 would require a collecting light diameter equal to the focal length.
This magnifier claims a diameter of over 200mm.
That would result in an f number of ~0.3
Have you ever seen an f0.3 62.5mm lens?
What they claim is impossible.
The other one have copied the same impossible information.
What is the world coming to.
Advertising standards to the dogs !
That is similar to standard 35mm camera lens.
F1 would require a collecting light diameter equal to the focal length.
This magnifier claims a diameter of over 200mm.
That would result in an f number of ~0.3
Have you ever seen an f0.3 62.5mm lens?
What they claim is impossible.
The other one have copied the same impossible information.
What is the world coming to.
Advertising standards to the dogs !
I have a range of spectacles for all my close up work.
I have 3 magnifiers, one looks like your second link.
That combined with specs does all my jobs.
For through hole work, 1 or 1.5dioptre specs + the illuminated magnifier works well.
For SMD I use 3 or 3.5dioptre specs + the illuminated magnifier
I have 3 magnifiers, one looks like your second link.
That combined with specs does all my jobs.
For through hole work, 1 or 1.5dioptre specs + the illuminated magnifier works well.
For SMD I use 3 or 3.5dioptre specs + the illuminated magnifier
OK, thanks. I don't have a clue about optics! I did smell something rotten, however...
I don't think that I can use the spectacles option. I have to wear glasses for corrections that include a prism. Unless I could wear something on top of my eyeglasses I don't think it will work.
I have also been considering a stereo boom microscope with "wide field" lenses. Something like this might be nice:
5X-10X-15X-20X Stereo Binocular Microscope Boom + Gooseneck LED Light
Thoughts?
I don't think that I can use the spectacles option. I have to wear glasses for corrections that include a prism. Unless I could wear something on top of my eyeglasses I don't think it will work.
I have also been considering a stereo boom microscope with "wide field" lenses. Something like this might be nice:
5X-10X-15X-20X Stereo Binocular Microscope Boom + Gooseneck LED Light
Thoughts?
I have a lamp that has three interchangeable lenses of different diopters. And it has a swing away magnifier. Similar to this:
https://us.daylightcompany.com/product/ultra-slim-magnifying-lamp-white/
But as you increase the magnification, the working distance gets less and less, so that it is pretty difficult to work with small pitch smd parts. For some of the larger stuff, it is OK, but I eventually bought this:
http://www.amscope.com/sm-3bz-80s.html
It gives plenty of magnification, good lighting, and most importantly a decent working distance.
For the little extra it costs over a quality magnifier like you are looking at, it is well worth it. Things are just going to keep getting smaller, so this is something that should give many years of use.
Terry
https://us.daylightcompany.com/product/ultra-slim-magnifying-lamp-white/
But as you increase the magnification, the working distance gets less and less, so that it is pretty difficult to work with small pitch smd parts. For some of the larger stuff, it is OK, but I eventually bought this:
http://www.amscope.com/sm-3bz-80s.html
It gives plenty of magnification, good lighting, and most importantly a decent working distance.
For the little extra it costs over a quality magnifier like you are looking at, it is well worth it. Things are just going to keep getting smaller, so this is something that should give many years of use.
Terry
Last edited:
I looked up this scope (your link was dead, here is a current link):
Binocular Zoom Stereo Microscope on Boom Stand Amscope 3 5X 90x 80 LED Light | eBay
This is a little more than I would like to spend. I was thinking of a similar AmScope (see link in my post above) that does not zoom but has different eyepieces for various mag levels. It's a little more than half of the cost.
What magnification level do you usually use when soldering, etc?
Last edited:
Sorry,
I fixed the link in mine.
Strange, I paid about $300 for mine just a few months ago. Now they go for $550. I wonder what drove the steep price hike? I bought just before Christmas, so maybe it is a seasonal thing.
But to try to answer your questions...
The zoom feature is nice if you will be doing much work. I usually don't use the highest magnification (90x) but the use of the barlow lense is what gives the best working distance. The Amscope site doesn't really say much about this, but the working distance is best when using the 0.5x Barlow.
The actual magnification is the objective (0.7 - 4.5 in this case) times the eyepiece magnification (10x), so this scope really only zooms from 7x to 45x, even though they say the zoom range is 3.5x to 90x. To get the full range, you have to swap in a different barlow lense (it goes under the objective). Using the 0.5x barlow cuts the magnification in half, but doubles the working distance.
So the most common setting I use is probably about 2.0 - 4.5 times 10 times 0.5 = 10x to 22.5x with a working distance of 8". Without the barlow, the working distance is 4" (barely useable). With the 2x barlow, it is only 2". That is pretty much useless for working on anything, but is OK for examination.
The scope you are looking at says it has 9" working distance. Assuming that applies to all magnifications (I'm not sure, you should ask), then that should be a pretty good solution for you. 20x may be a little small for some fine pitch stuff, but a major step up from the magnifier lamps solution, for not much more money. Obviously you change magnification by changing eyepieces, but if money is tight, then that is not a huge issue considering the price step to go to a zoom objective.
The ring lamps like I bought are nice to have also. I don't think the ring lights fit the version you are looking at. It may just mean you have to fiddle with the light position so you aren't shadowing it when you reach in with your soldering iron.
So the one you are looking at:
Binocular: GOOD. You will be glad you did that.
9" working distance: GOOD
20 x magnification: OK. You may wish you had more when working on some stuff, but probably fine for most everything.
Light: OK. It may not be the best, but should work for most things.
I'm very happy with the quality of the Amscope model I bought. Very good for the cost.
I have seen discussions here on diyAudio about people using a microscope camera for this. Assuming you already have a laptop or similar, that might be a cheap way to go. But make sure it has almost zero time delay in the image. Any appreciable delay would make working under it a nightmare.
Terry
I fixed the link in mine.
Strange, I paid about $300 for mine just a few months ago. Now they go for $550. I wonder what drove the steep price hike? I bought just before Christmas, so maybe it is a seasonal thing.
But to try to answer your questions...
The zoom feature is nice if you will be doing much work. I usually don't use the highest magnification (90x) but the use of the barlow lense is what gives the best working distance. The Amscope site doesn't really say much about this, but the working distance is best when using the 0.5x Barlow.
The actual magnification is the objective (0.7 - 4.5 in this case) times the eyepiece magnification (10x), so this scope really only zooms from 7x to 45x, even though they say the zoom range is 3.5x to 90x. To get the full range, you have to swap in a different barlow lense (it goes under the objective). Using the 0.5x barlow cuts the magnification in half, but doubles the working distance.
So the most common setting I use is probably about 2.0 - 4.5 times 10 times 0.5 = 10x to 22.5x with a working distance of 8". Without the barlow, the working distance is 4" (barely useable). With the 2x barlow, it is only 2". That is pretty much useless for working on anything, but is OK for examination.
The scope you are looking at says it has 9" working distance. Assuming that applies to all magnifications (I'm not sure, you should ask), then that should be a pretty good solution for you. 20x may be a little small for some fine pitch stuff, but a major step up from the magnifier lamps solution, for not much more money. Obviously you change magnification by changing eyepieces, but if money is tight, then that is not a huge issue considering the price step to go to a zoom objective.
The ring lamps like I bought are nice to have also. I don't think the ring lights fit the version you are looking at. It may just mean you have to fiddle with the light position so you aren't shadowing it when you reach in with your soldering iron.
So the one you are looking at:
Binocular: GOOD. You will be glad you did that.
9" working distance: GOOD
20 x magnification: OK. You may wish you had more when working on some stuff, but probably fine for most everything.
Light: OK. It may not be the best, but should work for most things.
I'm very happy with the quality of the Amscope model I bought. Very good for the cost.
I have seen discussions here on diyAudio about people using a microscope camera for this. Assuming you already have a laptop or similar, that might be a cheap way to go. But make sure it has almost zero time delay in the image. Any appreciable delay would make working under it a nightmare.
Terry
What the special specs worn by surgeons to see the small details at the operating table?
They appear to be long distance magnifiers.
They appear to be long distance magnifiers.
There is this budget SMD soldering camera/microscope from DIYINHK for $240. Dave Jones from EEVBLOG gave it good reviews for its price point. Said it was QUITE capable for a budget device. It is based around a heavily modified Microsoft LifeCam studio with custom optics and lighting. It has around a 140-150mm working distance and around 10-20mm depth of field, 30mm field of view, though no zoom. It was also capable of displaying clear 1080p 30fps.
His videoblog reviewing it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIWUFFlr2I4
He, admittedly unfairly, compares it with a $2400 high-end device. While it doesn't match the $2400 device (no zoom, 60fps, etc) it serves its purpose well. In the end he said it was a highly capable device, it has the huge distance you need for a soldering microscope. You can solder down to 0402 components with it.
If you already have a spare lifecam studio laying aroudn you can also purchase the needed parts yourself from DIYHK (except for the lighting ring):
Mod Kit $50
Stand $60
His videoblog reviewing it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIWUFFlr2I4
He, admittedly unfairly, compares it with a $2400 high-end device. While it doesn't match the $2400 device (no zoom, 60fps, etc) it serves its purpose well. In the end he said it was a highly capable device, it has the huge distance you need for a soldering microscope. You can solder down to 0402 components with it.
If you already have a spare lifecam studio laying aroudn you can also purchase the needed parts yourself from DIYHK (except for the lighting ring):
Mod Kit $50
Stand $60
Last edited:
As AndrewT says surgeon's loupes seem a good idea. Magnifying Surgical Loupes | eBay I am tired of using a magnifying glass and will probably get one of these eBay things but for the moment I have no direct experience.
Here is a photo made through my Amscope at 20x magnification. It shows about the smallest smd parts you are ever likely to try to deal with. I show a very small soldering iron tip for reference.
The view through the scope is actually much better than this iPhone photo shows.
So 20x should be enough for your needs.
Terry
The view through the scope is actually much better than this iPhone photo shows.
So 20x should be enough for your needs.
Terry
Attachments
Check out the quality of the lens itself as this can have as much effect not the result as the actual magnification value. Cheap lenses are obviously crap. My wife bought me this for Xmas for exactly the purpose you describe and I love it...use it all the time: 8315-27-1-G - LUXO - MAGNIFIER WAVE PLUS 2X7W GREY | CPC
...with hindsight(!) it might have been cheaper to buy some specs but it really is good!
...with hindsight(!) it might have been cheaper to buy some specs but it really is good!
Thanks for all the input, especially by you TerrySt.
I ended up going with one of the Amscope models with 5x-10x-15x-20x mag.
I ended up going with one of the Amscope models with 5x-10x-15x-20x mag.
have tried this 125mm one in the 1. phot
worked quite well
but thought the 22W light was a bit too bright, for general lamp use
sold it to a friend
now going to try the smaller 100mm table model in the 2. photo
with 12W light, same mag lense specs, just smaller
but not a pro tool, ofcourse
Features:
• 12 watt circular energy saving tube
• Shadow free light with low heat emission
• Ergonomic design with table base & lens cap
• Quality 100mm (4") lens, 3 dioptre (1.75x mag.)
• Built-in close up lens 12 dioptre (4x mag.)
• Height 15" (37.5cm) • Cable length 1.5m
worked quite well
but thought the 22W light was a bit too bright, for general lamp use
sold it to a friend
now going to try the smaller 100mm table model in the 2. photo
with 12W light, same mag lense specs, just smaller
but not a pro tool, ofcourse
Features:
• 12 watt circular energy saving tube
• Shadow free light with low heat emission
• Ergonomic design with table base & lens cap
• Quality 100mm (4") lens, 3 dioptre (1.75x mag.)
• Built-in close up lens 12 dioptre (4x mag.)
• Height 15" (37.5cm) • Cable length 1.5m
Attachments
As a comparison, here is the view of the same board through my daylight brand model U22020 with a 1.75x (3 diopter) plus the 4x (12 diopter) magnifier for a total of 21x. The trouble is the working distance is almost zero.
But this is a very good magnifier lamp with optional 2.25x or 3x lenses that can replace the standard one (although the field of view gets smaller).
Useful for probably 90% of the work I do, but when it comes to small smt parts, only the scope works.
Terry
But this is a very good magnifier lamp with optional 2.25x or 3x lenses that can replace the standard one (although the field of view gets smaller).
Useful for probably 90% of the work I do, but when it comes to small smt parts, only the scope works.
Terry
Attachments
ah, I see now what 'built-in-close-up-lens' means
looks like a smaller field in the normal working lense
could be practical for checking possible solder errors etc
only hope it does not disturb the working lense too much
btw, what does 'daylight lense' mean
looks like it still has on/off switch 😕
looks like a smaller field in the normal working lense
could be practical for checking possible solder errors etc
only hope it does not disturb the working lense too much
btw, what does 'daylight lense' mean
looks like it still has on/off switch 😕
Daylight is just the brand name. The model is U22020. I picked it because you can change lenses. It comes with a 1.75x, but has optional 2.25x and 3x lenses, although as the power goes up, the field of view (lense opening) gets smaller. I bought the standard and both accessory lenses, but I almost always use the 1.75x since it has the largest field of view, which is handy for most work.
It also has the optional 4x magnifier, which swings out of the way when it is not used. Or it can be removed easily. It just slides into the main unit.
It is a very good magnifier lamp, but by the time you purchase the lamp and the extra lenses, if gets to get a pretty good chunk of change.
Here is the link to the Daylight page that shows the lamp and options.
https://us.daylightcompany.com/product/ultra-slim-magnifying-lamp-white/
It can be purchased cheaper elsewhere though.
Terry
It also has the optional 4x magnifier, which swings out of the way when it is not used. Or it can be removed easily. It just slides into the main unit.
It is a very good magnifier lamp, but by the time you purchase the lamp and the extra lenses, if gets to get a pretty good chunk of change.
Here is the link to the Daylight page that shows the lamp and options.
https://us.daylightcompany.com/product/ultra-slim-magnifying-lamp-white/
It can be purchased cheaper elsewhere though.
Terry
I've been using Optivisor headband magnifers for years, - also for SMDs....
Several magnifications are available, as well as an extra loupe that swings in one one eye..........
Several magnifications are available, as well as an extra loupe that swings in one one eye..........
I have a magnifying work lamp, but I can use it with one eye closed only. In most works I use a headband with binocular magnifying glasses, but I still get headache after a while.
I would like to buy this one, but it is a pain in the wallet. I guess price is OK for a top quality product including lighting.
ZEISS Hoofdloep KF
ZEISS Hoofdloep KF
- Status
- Not open for further replies.