First Tripod, Loupe, Darkcloth, Meter

[v.kapoor]

Hello all,

I just bought my first 4x5 - a Linhof Master Classic. Very excited to get started, but need a few more things.
Not trying to blow the bank here, but also don't want to get in the habit of reselling/buying stuff.

What are your recommendations for:

-Tripod+Head that will comfortably hold the Linhof, but that I can potentially carry around a bit?
-Loupe?
-Darkcloth?
-Meter (incident vs. spot)

Thank you!

[Leigh]

I use the excellent Sekonic L-558 light meter.
It does all metering modes, including a great 1 degree spot meter.

It does flash, and accurately calculates mixed flash/incident exposures.

It was only available for a couple of years before being replaced by the over-priced 758.

- Leigh

[John Kasaian]

Dark cloth? Sew or have one sewn for you.

Loupe? Everyone swears by the Toyo. Used ones aren't all that hard to find reasonably priced.
I have a Silvestri, which is probably overkill, but I like 6x. Most everyone else prefers a lower power.
FWIW you could even use a Linen Tester like Ron Wisner.

[Bob Salomon]

A proper focusing loupe is, for the vast majority of shooters, 4, 5 or 6x with a focusing eyepiece so you can set it to focus directly on the grain side of the ground glass and has an opaque skirt to block all extraneous light. These were made by several companies, including Rodenstock, Schneider, Wista, Peak, Nikon, etc.. if you wear glasses you want one with long eye relief and a rubber cup around the eyepiece so you don't scratch your glasses.

Since you bought the MT Classic there is also a Linhof accessory that will eliminate both the dark cloth and a loupe. That is the Linhof Focus Metering Bellows.
It attaches to the back in place of the Folding Focusing Hood that comes on your camera. It is a bag bellows that folds flat and has a built in eyepiece that has two loupes in it. A fixed 2x one and a screw in 2x one. When used together you have a 4x loupe that will let you concentrate on any area of the gg that is about the diameter of a US quarter. When you unscrew one and use it as a 2x loupe it lets you see the entire gg at 2x magnification. In addition, if you have a Gossen meter with the microscope adapter the adapter will fit into the rubber eyepiece and with the 2x only eyepiece you can then meter the entire gg, any portion of the gg or a spot on the gg about the size of a quarter.

Additionally, like your Folding Focusing Hood the Focus Metering Bellows is hinged directly to the back and, if desired, it can swing away from the camera to give you access to the gg or Fresnel for, for instance, cleaning, or marking spots on the gg.

In any case, you should be sure that you have the Fresnel screen installed. There is a small rectangular silver bar attached to the middle screw of the ground glass hold down bar. Simply swing these two bars aside, drop the Fresnel screen on top of the gg with the grooved side facing the ground glass and swing the bars back so they hold the Fresnel in place.

[John Kasaian]

A proper focusing loupe is, for the vast majority of shooters, 4, 5 or 6x with a focusing eyepiece so you can set it to focus directly on the grain side of the ground glass and has an opaque skirt to block all extraneous light. These were made by several companies, including Rodenstock, Schneider, Wista, Peak, Nikon, etc.. if you wear glasses you want one with long eye relief and a rubber cup around the eyepiece so you don't scratch your glasses.

Since you bought the MT Classic there is also a Linhof accessory that will eliminate both the dark cloth and a loupe. That is the Linhof Focus Metering Bellows.
It attaches to the back in place of the Folding Focusing Hood that comes on your camera. It is a bag bellows that folds flat and has a built in eyepiece that has two loupes in it. A fixed 2x one and a screw in 2x one. When used together you have a 4x loupe that will let you concentrate on any area of the gg that is about the diameter of a US quarter. When you unscrew one and use it as a 2x loupe it lets you see the entire gg at 2x magnification. In addition, if you have a Gossen meter with the microscope adapter the adapter will fit into the rubber eyepiece and with the 2x only eyepiece you can then meter the entire gg, any portion of the gg or a spot on the gg about the size of a quarter.

Additionally, like your Folding Focusing Hood the Focus Metering Bellows is hinged directly to the back and, if desired, it can swing away from the camera to give you access to the gg or Fresnel for, for instance, cleaning, or marking spots on the gg.

In any case, you should be sure that you have the Fresnel screen installed. There is a small rectangular silver bar attached to the middle screw of the ground glass hold down bar. Simply swing these two bars aside, drop the Fresnel screen on top of the gg with the grooved side facing the ground glass and swing the bars back so they hold the Fresnel in place.

That's pretty cool, Bob!

[Salmo22]

A proper focusing loupe is, for the vast majority of shooters, 4, 5 or 6x with a focusing eyepiece so you can set it to focus directly on the grain side of the ground glass and has an opaque skirt to block all extraneous light. These were made by several companies, including Rodenstock, Schneider, Wista, Peak, Nikon, etc.. if you wear glasses you want one with long eye relief and a rubber cup around the eyepiece so you don't scratch your glasses.

Since you bought the MT Classic there is also a Linhof accessory that will eliminate both the dark cloth and a loupe. That is the Linhof Focus Metering Bellows.
It attaches to the back in place of the Folding Focusing Hood that comes on your camera. It is a bag bellows that folds flat and has a built in eyepiece that has two loupes in it. A fixed 2x one and a screw in 2x one. When used together you have a 4x loupe that will let you concentrate on any area of the gg that is about the diameter of a US quarter. When you unscrew one and use it as a 2x loupe it lets you see the entire gg at 2x magnification. In addition, if you have a Gossen meter with the microscope adapter the adapter will fit into the rubber eyepiece and with the 2x only eyepiece you can then meter the entire gg, any portion of the gg or a spot on the gg about the size of a quarter.

Additionally, like your Folding Focusing Hood the Focus Metering Bellows is hinged directly to the back and, if desired, it can swing away from the camera to give you access to the gg or Fresnel for, for instance, cleaning, or marking spots on the gg.

In any case, you should be sure that you have the Fresnel screen installed. There is a small rectangular silver bar attached to the middle screw of the ground glass hold down bar. Simply swing these two bars aside, drop the Fresnel screen on top of the gg with the grooved side facing the ground glass and swing the bars back so they hold the Fresnel in place.

Bob:

In an effort to avoid the traditional dark cloth/loupe arrangement, I was considering acquiring a Right Angle Reflex Attachment 45 for my MT2000. Then I read your comments about the 45 Focus/Metering Bellows. Since my prior history with 4x5 (30+ years ago) did not include these options, I'd appreciate comments about the pros/cons for both these Linhof accessories.

Thanks;

Jeff

[Bob Salomon]

Bob:

In an effort to avoid the traditional dark cloth/loupe arrangement, I was considering acquiring a Right Angle Reflex Attachment 45 for my MT2000. Then I read your comments about the 45 Focus/Metering Bellows. Since my prior history with 4x5 (30+ years ago) did not include these options, I'd appreciate comments about the pros/cons for both these Linhof accessories.

Thanks;

Jeff

Since the Reflex Viewer is only 2x and lets you see the entire gg at once it really isn't the best for focusing. For that reason the right angle part detaches leaving the base as a Hood where you can stick a loupe into for focusing precisely.
The Metering Bellows has a 4 x loupe, convertible to 2x so it is designed for both critical focusing and viewing. In addition it is. Flexible cloth that folds flat unlike the right angle Viewer which is. Plastic and doesn't travel as easy.
And for 40.00 you should stay away from the Tiltall and if you go to the Tiltall site you can read about my extensivehistory of Tiltall. It is not designed for a Technika and besides its leg limitations the head is a massive problem. It is controlled by almost identical knobs, the column has no dampening and if you loosen the wrong knob inadvertent with a Technika on it you can really hurt something.

[Salmo22]

Since the Reflex Viewer is only 2x and lets you see the entire gg at once it really isn't the best for focusing. For that reason the right angle part detaches leaving the base as a Hood where you can stick a loupe into for focusing precisely.
The Metering Bellows has a 4 x loupe, convertible to 2x so it is designed for both critical focusing and viewing. In addition it is. Flexible cloth that folds flat unlike the right angle Viewer which is. Plastic and doesn't travel as easy.

Bob:

Thank you for the explanation. My quest for a Metering Bellows begins.

Regards;

Jeff

[chassis]

Here is what I use. Pretty satisfied with all of it.

Meter - Sekonic L758DR
Loupe - Peak 7x scale loupe
Darkcloth - large blue bath towel
Tripod - Bogen 3047 head; can't remember the leg set model

[Drew Bedo]

I have used a home made (hand sewen) dark cloth. It has weights sewen into the corners and a few bits of Velcro here and there. Still have it. Works well with my 8x10.

A few years ago I picked up a BTZS hood for my 4x5, It folds small and keeps the sun off my head and shoulders . . .and doesn't flap like a traditional dark cloth will.

Loups: I have used a magnifying "Opti-Vizor" (like some jewelers use) and that works. I have used a set of really strong prescription reading glasses, which also works. I now use a nice 5x loupe by Rodenstock.

A good meter is a must. My first meter was the "Sunny Sixteen" rule. Thisgave good results within the limits of that technique. Next was a Luna Pro which worked well for reflected light (averaging, no spot) readings only. For years now I have used a Minolta IV F which measures incident (ambient and flash) with a dome and reflectedlight with a 9 degree semi-spot attachment. I am comfortable with it, but would get something brand new If I could. Sounds like you can, so go for it.

Something you didn't mention:
Changing bag/tent. I have both and both work well. The bag packs small and I have changed 4x5 holders on my lap in the back seat of a car going over Trail Ridge Road. The tent gives plenty of room but is heavier and bulkier to pack. There is a place for both in my photographic life.

Don't get tangled in getting the optimal kit together. There is no" best" way. Your photography will evolve as you go on and so will the way you work and the tools you use. The important thing is to get out and shoot.