Focusing loupe

[Alan Klein]

Starting out in LF with a Chamonix 4x5. 45H-1 http://www.chamonixviewcamera.com/cameras/45h1

It has a fresnel on it between the ground glass and eye.

What do you suggest?

[BrianShaw]

Even with a fresnel I’d recommend using a loupe.

[Alan Klein]

Which one?

[nbagno]

I really like my Fuji

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/used/...iABEgJv1PD_BwE



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[BrianShaw]

which one?

4x

[Alan Klein]

I have a Schneider 6x6 that I used for examining 6x6cm medium format slides or negatives. It's about 3x. Would that work?

[BrianShaw]

Yes.

[Greg]

Subjective opinions to follow.
from left to right
30X21mm folding loupe: too high of magnification for general use, but keep one at the bottom of my case.
AGFA LUPE 8X: Probably my most used loupe. Small, inexpensive and just works. Keep one in all my LF & ULF cases
Canon: Higher magnification than the AGFAFocusable high mag metal loupe: Love it but don't like its metal housing touching a fresnel lens or the "clink" sound it makes when it touches the GG
PAM - N.Y. high mag metal loupe: same as above but narrow field of viewPeak 10X: No focusing ability, a negative for a high mag loupe
Large black loupe: Love it. Belonged to W. Eugene Smith. Once almost lost it in the field, so it now stays at home.
Leitz 100mm f/2.8 ELMARON projector lens: Sharp but magnification too low. Pair of CU glasses work a lot better.
FUJI 4X loupe: Great loupe but when using it with its neck strap, it keeps on bumping into the camera and other things
HORSEMAN PRECISION LUPE 4X: Great and it is focusable, but is large. Use it primarily for inspecting negatives and transparencies.
PENTAX SMC PHOTO LUPE 5.5X: Favorite large loupe but in its protective case takes up a whole lot of room in the equipment case. Prefer taking another lens in lieu of it.

[Andy Eads]

Alan, I was desperate one day doing a studio set and so I grabbed a focusing magnifier made for the Nikon F. I think the designation was DW-6. It is 6x and has a huge field of view making it relatively easy to focus in the corners. I scored a decent price on one and have used it to view negs & slides, focus on the ground glass, and even for its intended purpose on my old Nikon. I've also used a 2" focal length projector lens. Both are heavy. - Andy

[Two23]

I've settled on x4 to x6 as a good range. It's easy to overspend but I avoid the cheap plastic ones.


Kent in SD