Folding focusing hoods

[Daniel.E]

What's your experience with those? would you recommend them? do you use them often?

I got a reflex viewer for my 4x5 but I realized that I'll need to put some screws in and I won't be able to use my plexiglass protective cover anymore. Next thing would be to get a focusing hood. I'd like to know how useful they are. I have a 2-n-1 ground glass/fresnel and it's quite bright. I barely use my darkcloth when I'm outdoors.

Thanks!

[Ari]

Very useful for quick and easy composing, though you may need a longer-than-normal loupe in order to focus with the hood open.
In many cases, the hood replaces a dark cloth, which is great, as it's one less thing to have to deal with.

[Daniel.E]

Thanks Ari! Very helpful. I'll look for one then, I have a loupe that's 4" so I think that'd be fine.

[Kirk Gittings]

I recently bought one a few months ago. That's after not owning or using one for the first 38 years of using a VC. I have to say that in many lighting situations they are useless IME (like when the sun is behind you then I need to use the DC too) and I take it off and just use my dark cloth. I'll try it for a few more outings, but I may retire it completely as a focusing cloth works all the time and I don't see the point of carrying both.

[Daniel.E]

I don't want to put some screws on my field camera, I really don't but I can see myself using that reflex viewer, especially low angles, different perspectives. From the research I've done those focusing hoods are my only option to get some protection for my ground glass. I'm not set into buying one but thank you for the input, it really helps.

[Kirk Gittings]

This is a GG protector that fits nearly everything. I use one. http://www.badgergraphic.com/opencar...&path=2_82_166

[Daniel.E]

That's the same one I have but unfortunately won't go over the two plates I have to put in order to secure the reflex viewer.

[mdarnton]

I've been debating the opposite: I have cameras with hoods and cameras with reflex finders, and cameras with neither, but I'm wondering if I want to put holes in a back to fit a reflex finder, which is my definite preference in all situations. I'm also considering putting a Cambo chimney on one of my Graflex reflexes. It appears to work, and is a definite step up, but I'd have to give up the lid.

[Daniel.E]

I don't understand why is it so easy for some people to just drill some holes on the glass frame and for others is unmentionable! I like the reflex finder a lot and I'm tired of holding it in my hand when I'm done setting up the shot and I want to see what it looks like flipped.

[mdarnton]

I don't understand why is it so easy for some people to just drill some holes on the glass frame and for others is unmentionable!

In my case, because the camera I want to punch holes in is an old wooden view camera in pristine condition that seems to be somewhat desirable, according to Ebay prices. I happen to like using it in preference to some more modern cameras I own, but I don't necessarily want to be the one to trash it, so I'm also considering adapting a newer back that will take the finder I want to use.