Yes on both points.
You don't have to use lead less solder it's only if you plan to sell stuff in Europe. The same goes for the anti fuming flux sutff.
Yes a head mounting magnifier is now essential before I can do any soldering. I even have to use it for some schematics.
These can be expensive from electronics suppliers £30 - £80 but at the Harrogate model engineering show I could have picked up several for less than £5.00.
Head mounted... now you're talking! I just bought some of the helping hands with a small magnifier but I'll have to keep an eye out for the head mounted ones!