What is the best grain focusing loupe (for under the enlarger) ever made by man?

[Certain Exposures]

I want an ultra-high magnification, super bright, and comfortable to use from a distance grain focuser for under my enlarger.

Right now, I use something like this. (https://www.ebay.com/itm/385571788164?hash=item59c5de9584:g:A7oAAOSwCDtkSEtJ&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA4B4OXjmhty49Na6KPlqkrJEI2Z7wotlYU0yHDcMMK6xuXayg24QBNTFepY3WkrCRm0Ql%2BomW3q%2FDjOxO86EMl9WLkqh2Yf42ZQWGumm28JEhnHWvOYBpLyK1n0%2FFLAZWmQL3xRAZmE02HgYurhCVEb5wMUgWJaOMOFqXcWnw5oqOYS9Dw8QC13xUDqA00h7GyeqAGwsl7Sbj6hOFcNDUdNw5mBsW%2FDi%2Bkd7grzgLaGrh%2Fk4rTv0TXDl7G7JB1pdtmsPzktle3icIjXgXYMnHmz1OzKDcHnmS7sWHKR9awBd8%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR7yhkK34YQ) My unit requires you to twist a knob until a line in view becomes "sharp." I dislike that feature because it's hard getting that line as sharp as it should be. Also, the image is too small for me. I have to bend over like a contortionist to see it because of my cramped space. I'd love something that I could look at from a distance. I'd also prefer not to have to focus with that line method.

Do you have any recommendations?

[Oren Grad]

What you want doesn't exist, specifically the "view from a distance" criterion.

For my taste the best grain focuser I've used, by a fair margin, is the Micromega/Peak Critical Focuser Type I. That's what's sitting on my enlarger baseboard right now. I have the Bestwell Microsight that you linked. It's OK, but has been sitting in one of my darkroom cabinets since I got the Micromega.

[jp]

I like my Peak grain focuser, but it does require putting your eyeball near the focuser. If you want to view grain from a distance, the Bestwell Magnasight is great.

[bob carnie]

I like my Peak grain focuser, but it does require putting your eyeball near the focuser. If you want to view grain from a distance, the Bestwell Magnasight is great.

I agree the Peak grain focuser has been my go too for a very long time. When I first started out printing there was a unit we used that allowed you to see a bit from the distance but I have not seen one of these units for over 20 years now.

[Oren Grad]

Re the Magnasight: I guess it depends how much of a distance the OP has in mind. Jason, how far are you able to get with the Magna?

[Larry Gebhardt]

I've had a grain focuser like you describe with the wavy line and I could never make it work. I got a Peak Type III. It was a huge improvement. Eventually a Peak Type I fell into my hands and it's nicer than the Type III, but not more capable if you focus in the center of the image. I don't know of any option that doesn't require you to put your eye down by the easel. But there are extension focusing knobs for some enlargers.

[ic-racer]

My unit requires you to twist a knob until a line in view becomes "sharp."

All "bright" focus devices will be aerial image based. So no getting around that.

[Alan9940]

For my taste the best grain focuser I've used, by a fair margin, is the Micromega/Peak Critical Focuser Type I. That's what's sitting on my enlarger baseboard right now. I have the Bestwell Microsight that you linked. It's OK, but has been sitting in one of my darkroom cabinets since I got the Micromega.

Totally agree! I've had the Peak Focuser for over 40 years and the Bestwell unit (which I also own) is not used. Yes, depending on your specific enlarger you do have to bend and contort in odd ways to use a critical grain focuser, but IMO it's what ya gotta do, if you want critically sharp enlargements. My Beseler 45MX, for example, has a long, flexible rod that attaches to one focus knob eliminating the need to contort. Don't know if other enlargers have this capability and/or could be "rigged" that way, but it does make using a standard grain focuser much easier.

[Erik Larsen]

Although I haven’t used one personally, the Patterson Major focus finder might work for you and allow a more comfortable focusing experience. It is a bit taller than most focusers. I like the peak but I mostly use a non descript Scoponet the most. For whatever reason it allows me to easily see the grain snap into focus compared to the peak when doing small enlargements from 8x10 negs where the grain is very hard to detect. For smaller formats or larger enlargements from 8x10 the grain is much easier for my eyes to see with the peak or scoponet.

[Drew Wiley]

Quality of optics and precision of manufacture is way more important than sheer magnification. And higher magnifications mean dimmer viewing. Having learned these things the hard way, with disappointments along the way, as far as I'm concerned, the Peak Critical Focus version with the tilting head and front-surface mirror is the ONLY one to get.

[jp]

Re the Magnasight: I guess it depends how much of a distance the OP has in mind. Jason, how far are you able to get with the Magna?

I have a Peak and no longer have a Magnasight. I had a Magnasight in the college darkroom I used in the '90's. Field of view gets very narrow as you back off. But you're looking for actual grain rather than a field of view. Lacking grain, I'd look for a branch, wire, text, or other fine image detail to focus.

[Oren Grad]

My Beseler 45MX, for example, has a long, flexible rod that attaches to one focus knob eliminating the need to contort. Don't know if other enlargers have this capability and/or could be "rigged" that way, but it does make using a standard grain focuser much easier.

LPL offers a focus extension widget as well, though it's pretty pricey now and probably hard to find used. I've been able to get by without as I make small enlargements and the knob on my 4500II is usually within easy reach.

[freesky1992]

I use Peak I focuser and very happy with it~

[Conrad . Marvin]

+1 for the Peak. It tilts so that you can check the edges or corners. I have had mine for decades.

[Drew Wiley]

Yeah, at times I wish I had arms as long as an orangutan in order to use my fine-focus knob on my two Durst L138 chassis when the baseboard is lowered way down. But the bigger L184 8X10 unit has motorized fine-focus control, which makes life extremely easy. And my even way taller custom 8X10 system has a special close-focusing telescope mounted to the carrier platform, which I can use on my rolling platform ladder, with the fine focus knob in easy reach.

[Fred L]

Used to use Paterson grain focusers but now only use Peak focusers. Mirror can be replaced if you find one used and glass is not great. Have the blue eyepiece filter as well but haven't noticed any difference tbh.

[Drew Wiley]

A mild blue filter is very helpful in terms of partially nulling the orange mask with color neg film and making grain more visible. But the one that comes with the Peak magnifier is such a dense blue that it's counterproductive. I think those are a holdover from the days of blue sensitive papers and poorly corrected enlarging lenses, in terms of different wavelengths of light achieving focus on the same plane, apo-wise.

[Certain Exposures]

Thanks for your replies, everyone!

I was not expecting a (near) unanimous recommendation from all of you. I'll start putting dimes in my piggy bank for a Peak Critical Focuser Type I. I can deal with my current setup until then.


Although I haven’t used one personally, the Patterson Major focus finder might work for you and allow a more comfortable focusing experience. It is a bit taller than most focusers. I like the peak but I mostly use a non descript Scoponet the most. For whatever reason it allows me to easily see the grain snap into focus compared to the peak when doing small enlargements from 8x10 negs where the grain is very hard to detect. For smaller formats or larger enlargements from 8x10 the grain is much easier for my eyes to see with the peak or scoponet.

Thanks, I will mostly enlarge from 6x6 and under until I find an affordable 4x5 enlarger that fits my space. Does the Scoponet require you to focus on a "wire" in front of the glass to use it? I'm trying to avoid that process. Also, do you think the Peak is worth the extra cost for enlarging 4x5 and under?

[Drew Wiley]

The Scoponet I once had was way off. Outright tossed it when I acquired the Peak.

[jp]

The larger the format, the more useful grain focuser! I never used it with 35mm since grain is easy to see MF depended on the negative and amount of enlargement. LF it's quite helpful. LF uses longer slower EL lenses for focusing too.

[Maris Rusis]

I'm not sure what problem a fancy grain focussing loupe is supposed to solve. I use a "cheap" Paterson Micro Focus Finder that is adjusted to my eye and reliably supports sharp grain in my enlargements. The Paterson focusser does not work in the corners of the image but it doesn't need to. My negative carriers have glass to keep negatives flat and I get sharp grain all over. If I suddenly started to get blurry corners changing the grain magnifier wouldn't help.

[willwilson]

They are also called Omega Micromega Critical Focuser. Same thing I think. I recently started using one of these and it is FAR superior to the regular Peak focusers. The normal Peak focuser works fine, but for me, it is definitely worth the upgrade. It's the little things that make a darkroom session smooth and more fun.

-=Will238279

[Drew Wiley]

Just because you can get good grain perception using a cheaper unit doesn't mean you've attained accurate focus. When I was nearly going insane myself trying to psychoanalyze why my Scoponet behaved like a schizophrenic, I finally noticed that the anti-scuff pad under its base was hydroscopic cardboard, merely waxed, and swelled thicker or contracted thinner with humidity changes.

Will - those are indeed just rebranded Peak Critical units. Peak made all kinds of things. I have an optometrist friend still active over 80, and still using all Peak optometry equipment.

[barryjyoung]

I have 2 Omega Micromega Grain focusers. I replaced the mirrors on them (Make sure you use first surface mirror if you do replace the mirror. You can find awesome huge chunks of first surface mirrors in rear projection TV's on the side of the road. I also have a magnasight, a Paterson and several other grain focussers, none even come close to the Peak Micromega. Very few things in our hobby can be as highly recommended.

Barry Young

[nitroplait]

I'm not sure what problem a fancy grain focussing loupe is supposed to solve. I use a "cheap" Paterson Micro Focus Finder that is adjusted to my eye and reliably supports sharp grain in my enlargements. The Paterson focusser does not work in the corners of the image but it doesn't need to. My negative carriers have glass to keep negatives flat and I get sharp grain all over. If I suddenly started to get blurry corners changing the grain magnifier wouldn't help.

I certainly wouldn't mind owning one of those cool looking Peak grain focusers, but I too have absolutely no complaints about my Paterson Micro Focus finder. I have used it since the mid 70's.