NeoLucida: The 21st Century Camera Lucida Drawing Tool

If you're a beginning artist and you think this will help you with life like drawings you're on the right track. However, you must still master the basics before getting the full life like effect. This will definitely help you with the outlines and proportions. This does take some getting used to and I'd say the learning curve will vary depending on your skill level. I don't consider myself an artist and I got some stuff out of it the 1st time using it. The device itself is well made. The clamp is sturdy and allows for a 3" mounting surface and the neck is quite adjustable. Once adjusted it stays in place. Mounting and adjusting is simple. Make sure your drawing surface and the surface the Lucida is attached to is stable otherwise your strokes will not line up. I recommend they be one and the same. The box comes with the Lucida, carrying bag a pencil and instructions as well as web links which will direct you to more information on the device's history as well as tips on how to use it properly it. I felt it was a great tool for me to have and I found myself drawing once again. Something I haven't done in a long time.

Well Made... insanely tedious to set up and use due the the eyepiece being crazy small. If the eyepiece was twice as big it MIGHT negate this issue. That being said, It is well made, well packaged and functions as intended.. Maybe it cost too much to make a bigger prism? I mean ,, it seem like the the resources and quality went to all the other components, Clamp with nice padding so it wont scratch furniture, goose neck, nice strong, stable. housing around the eyepiece is machined well with threads that holds securely but then there is the eyepiece (1/4 inch? ) ummm... what? also, one has to get the lighting just right to be able to see the subject and the pencil on your paper. Even then You have to move your head/eye to see the detail you are trying to achive. Also, product should come with a backbrace. luckily I can return it, .... Dang I had high hopes...

This product should be commended for finally making a modern, affordable version of the ancient camera lucida available to a wide audience. Long available only in expensive antique form, this is the first mass-market device of its type available in decades. However, the makers perhaps over-emphasise the ease of its use; whilst it is simple in form, it is far from simple to set up effectively, quite difficult to maintain in position once it has been set up, and a steep learning curve to get anything more than rudimentary results from (in many respects that is what it should be used for - to make preparatory sketches for a more finished drawing or painting, rather than to make a finished drawing directly). It also has (for me) a very limited field of view due to the tiny prism and aperture. While it can be positioned to draw small objects and still lives, it is harder to see how it could be used for landscapes or even for larger interior scenes - a factor not mentioned in the information I have seen. It also needs very precise lighting conditions to work effectively - slightly too dark, and the subject is hard to see on the paper; slightly too bright, and you can’t see your pen or pencil on the paper to trace. So while it may be widely available, it may not be for all. If you are interested in art history, or optical devices it is great; if you are also patient and looking for a drawing aid it could be a boon. However, if you are a novice looking for a quick means of suddenly being able to draw, you may find this frustrating and more trouble than it is worth to you. At the price it is unbeatable for what it is, just don’t expect magic.

Great little gadget for those learning to "see" and draw or those wanting to perfect their skills. You don't have to be an experienced artist to use it. It's a bit tricky to learn how to see out of it and how to best set it up for use at first. I found using a very large cutting board made it stable, portable, and easy to use out in the field or setting up a scene with natural light in my home studio with a drawing surface. It is well made for the price with a nice suede pouch and instructions for setting up the best angle. Be sure to set it up where you can comfortably view straight down through the lens. Standing is easiest or have a low table or chair that adjusts you to the height you need to look down at the right angle. Give yourself time and patience to play with the right set up for your needs. I also use this in my classroom for my elementary students to help nurture the budding artists' ability to compose and focus on details of the scene before them. Their learning curve on learning how to use this is much shorter than most adults!

Was in an art contest where we were required to paint a scene in two days, this really helped me get the outline for the objects I was focusing on in the right perspective. I was very impressed. I did need to take the time to follow the directions and had to learn the limitations. When getting the perspective of the boat and the lift bridge I was able to trace the little details much easier. I feel like this aide made the painting look real.

Tricky to use because the field of view is SO small--I am surprised they did not design with a larger prism, as everything else about this product is well made.

A Great product

Funciona muy bien

It was too small to use properly and I'm extremely disappointed I didn't get the biggest one. Don't bother with the original! If the eyepiece was larger it would be better. Why would they manufacture different sizes without options to upgrade to the working version. The original product is cheap and I'm extremely dissatisfied. I will be donating this gadget to someone who can enjoy using it. My experience is not satisfied. Please refund my money if possible.