10x or 30x Loupe? - Orchid Board

Paul Mc · #1 08-04-2012, 10:30 AM

Which is better for helping to see/diagnose issues? Or should I get them both?

Leafmite · #2 08-04-2012, 10:47 AM

The higher the number, the higher the magnification. The higher magnification will show more detail. If these are of good quality, the 30x should be the better choice.

Ray · #3 08-04-2012, 11:37 AM

Is having the 30x really necessary? If the goal is to ID insects, mites, or other small stuff, isn't 10x going to be sufficient?

[Not a disagreement - I just want to know]

Paul Mc · #4 08-04-2012, 11:46 AM

I already have the 10x, but that's why I'm asking Ray. I'm not if there would be a benefit to also owning the 30x, lol... Also, not so sure I'd be able to know what I'm a lookin' at now any way, lol... But trying to learn and get the proper tools...

Leafmite · #5 08-04-2012, 01:54 PM

Forgot you were just looking for bugs and I got carried away.

When I had a real pond, I bought a microscope to observe what was in the water...in that case, the better magnification was optimal.

Ray · #6 08-04-2012, 02:18 PM

After participating in this post, I did a search of "horticultural eye loupe", and just about everything is 30x.

Go figure!

Paul - I have a 10x too, and rarely use it anyway. (Of course, when I do think to use it, I can never find the damned thing!)

Paul Mc · #7 08-04-2012, 02:29 PM

ROFL!!!! I get that Ray!!

zxyqu · #8 08-04-2012, 06:42 PM

Yup. 30x get my vote. Can barely discern a two-spotted spider mite at 10x, but it's fairly obvious at 30x. But I do have both just in case, and likely a good idea since I too can't find them half the time...

DavidCampen · #9 08-04-2012, 11:20 PM

What brand are people using? I have a Bausch & Lomb folding pocket magnifier:
Bausch & Lomb Folding Pocket Three-Lens Magnifier 81-23-67 FREE S&H 812367. Bausch & Lomb Magnifiers.
It has 5x, 10x and 20x lenses.

When I am using it in the greenhouse to look at an insect on a plant, I have trouble focusing with anything but the 5x lens. To use the 10x or 20x lens I would have to get the subject to hold still on a piece of paper so that I could sit at a desk and look at it.

So, are there different lenses that have a greater depth of field than my little pocket lenses? Perhaps a larger diameter lens would have better depth of field?

Also, what are good techniques for immobilizing microscopic varmints so that I can take them inside to study at length. I try using using my finger but that tends to squash them beyond recognition.

I am battling thrips on some of my Catasetinae and would love to be able to identify them by species and instar.

DavidCampen · #10 08-08-2012, 11:49 AM

I did some reading and answered my question about focal length - focal length is inversely proportional to magnification and focal length is roughly equal to 10" divided by the magnification. So a 10X lens has a focal length of 1" and a 30X lens would have a focal length of 1/3". So I ordered a Bausch and Lomb 10X Hastings Triplet hand lens.