Peak Omega/Micromega.. why so expensive??

[ic-racer]

hi guys can someone tell me where to buy a peak focuser for cheap? i know they go for $250 but i dont want to spend more than $150 on it...thanks in advance

I got my last one at photorama new in box for $25. It had a foggy eyepiece that was remedied in about 45 seconds. The only problem was that now my other Peak was not as clean, so I had to take the eyepiece of that one apart and clean it also

The reason you should get the Model 1 is that you can see the edges of the projected image. This allows you to adjust the focus and f-stop to maximize depth of field for curved negatives. Or alerts you that you are the magnification limit for your lens or you are getting close to the edge of the usable image circle. This can save paper.

[Sirius Glass]

I started with an inexpensive grain magnifier. It only worked in the center of the negative and was not that easy to use.

The Peak grain magnifiers are built with much greater quality and are much easier to use. Well worth the cost.

Steve

[Drew Wiley]

The less expensive ones are usually fine for general purpose enlargement. The Critical
Focus model is not only better optically, but will allow you to check the corners of the
field of a large print much better. In other words, its a great tool for aligning an enlarger or baseboard and checking edge focus. It's also accurate enough for critical
work like making enlarged negs or chromes. Worth the money.

[kfed1984]

I just bought a micromega focuser. It appears to have a top surface aluminized mirror which is prone to scratching, I guess that's why there' a little protective door in front of it.

Does anyone know why there is a hole on the base of the focuser? I assume this is for viewing the focused print directly on the paper instead of the mirror. But in order for this to happen, the mirror will have to be removed. It doesn't look like there's an easy way to remove the mirror. Any thoughts on why this is so and if there's a way of calibrating the focuser aside from the focus for eye adjustment?

Is there a manual for this thing? I assume there are nuances to using this type of focuser.

[Pieter]

Hi Darin,

There are three models of the Peak enlarging grain focusers. New Model 1's sell for about $60. Model 2 sells for around $113, and Model 3 sells for $230, at B&H. I assume the grain focuser you are refering to is the Model 3. It is relatively expensive, but it is a fine optical instrument that performs flawlessly. The difference in price between the three models is based on the quality of the optic and its ability to be used to focus away from the optical center of the enlarged image that is being projected onto the easel. I have been using a Model 2 for many years, and I really like it.

I believe you have it backwards. The Model 1 is the most expensive and I think the price is more based upon the overall size and coverage of the device and mirror.

[ic-racer]

Do you have the manual? You can put a coin on the area of interest, then center the coin in the hole on the base of the focuser.

[Pieter]

I just bought a micromega focuser. It appears to have a top surface aluminized mirror which is prone to scratching, I guess that's why there' a little protective door in front of it.

Does anyone know why there is a hole on the base of the focuser? I assume this is for viewing the focused print directly on the paper instead of the mirror. But in order for this to happen, the mirror will have to be removed. It doesn't look like there's an easy way to remove the mirror. Any thoughts on why this is so and if there's a way of calibrating the focuser aside from the focus for eye adjustment?

Is there a manual for this thing? I assume there are nuances to using this type of focuser.

The hole is to help place the focuser on area of the image you want to inspecting. And there is a rudimentary manual.

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[Drew Wiley]

It is simply more expensive to make a precisely machined accessory with good optics and a replaceable front surface mirror. As the complexity of features goes up, like a tilting head and longer mirror, so does the price point. The top of the line Peak is well worth it. It can be used to check the corners of the projected image in a manner the lesser models can't. Micromega is the same thing rebranded.

[kfed1984]

The hole is to help place the focuser on area of the image you want to inspecting. And there is a rudimentary manual.

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[Pieter]

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