Opera glasses are often called theater binoculars. These optical instruments are compact and low in power, but useful in magnification of the performers. Originally the glasses were used exclusively at operas. Due to the lower light conditions the magnification power of opera glasses is always kept under 5x power and most are at a 3x power.

Opera glasses compare in some ways to binoculars. However, opera glasses are designed for indoor use. They are found useful at indoor theaters and in many other performances where seats may be located some distance from the stage, as in balconies or the back of the theater. The glasses give the patron the ability to see the stage from the far away locations.

However, opera glasses are not true binoculars from an optical point of view. Binoculars are actually a pair of telescopes. The overall length of the telescopes is made possible by an optical process called folding which uses mirrors to shorten the length. Opera glasses, use a convex lens as the objective lens and a concave lens for the eyepiece. Although the image is not as high a quality as with binoculars, it is produced upright using only two lenses instead of the multiple lenses necessary with the binoculars.

Opera glasses are designed to be small and unobtrusive. They should be small enough that they do not distract other theater goers. Some of the models fold so that they may be easily slipped into the pocket or the purse.

It can take some adjustment to get used to using opera glasses. Fortunately, in many of the larger operas where they are needed most, they can be rented. You might want to try renting a pair to use before actually investing in your own set.

During the nineteenth century, many ladies used spectacles having a long handle called a lorgnette. Most of these glasses were more ornamental than they were useful. The lorgnette was preferred at this time to the more traditional spectacle. Today, many of the more expensive opera glasses use the design of the lorgnette of the nineteenth century.

Opera glasses use is certainly a personal choice. While some patrons find them very useful when trying to follow a story line other find them quite annoying and unnecessary to follow the plot. Of you do not want to use opera glasses, but have difficulty in following a story line, you may want to pay more for a better seat next time to get a better view of the show without using the glasses.

Before you attend any performance make sure that you have a good pair of opera glasses. Here you can check out Opera Glasses with handle, flashlight, chain and more!

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