Focusing loupe - which one do you recommend

[John Kasaian]

Silvestri makes an excellent 6x loupe.
It really all depends on what works for you

I started with a ubiquitous cheap plastic 9x Agfa.
I made it work good enough for several years.
Most all of my original LF gear was either cheap or nearly worn out because 1) I was broke and couldn't afford better, and 2) I wanted to start making LF pictures ASAP
Every year as my budget would allow, I'd upgrade one piece of gear and one year it was the loupe's turn.
I replaced the Agfa with a Silvestri (which at the time was pretty reasonably priced) and have never looked back.

[willwilson]

I used to use a Rodenstock 4x loop, but I lost it. It came with a camera setup I bought way back when. I went through a few other loops. Schneider 4x and an Omega. The Omega is fine but too big and long. The Schneider is my current working loop but I just bought another Rodenstock (expensive!). It's definitely a personal preference but every time I've been out photographing with that Schneider I wish I had my old Rodenstock. Most loops will work fine to get the job done though.

[Tin Can]

Everybody has different eyes

I find 9X adjustable is middle porridge for me

Tested many

[xkaes]

The Peak 1975 is the same glass as the Horseman and much cheaper. https://www.peakoptics.com/index.php...products_id=10 It only comes with a transparent base, but that hasn't been a problem for my use. I suppose you could paint the base or add some black tape around it.

In addition to the switchable base -- opaque & transparent -- the Peak 7X also lacks the convenient, and removable, neck strap. I find both of these accessories important.

[Alan Klein]

In addition to the switchable base -- opaque & transparent -- the Peak 7X also lacks the convenient, and removable, neck strap. I find both of these accessories important.

I tied a piece of monofilament fishing line around the loupe and then added a typical neck lanyard.

[Maris Rusis]

It's an old idea but worth considering. The power of the loupe should be higher than the enlargement ratio you are planning. For example a 4x enlargement asks for a 6x loupe to deliver some reserve of focussing accuracy.

[Vaidotas]

I had horrible experience using stronger x6 loupe first time - I saw too much dust on my fresnel.

[Bernice Loui]

Remove the fresnel, problem removed.

Bernice

I had horrible experience using stronger x6 loupe first time - I saw too much dust on my fresnel.

[Drew Bedo]

Recommend?

I now use a Rodenstock 4X loupe. Works for me.

At other times, I have used a pair of REALLY strong prescription readers.

At other times, I used a jeweler's binocular magnifier head set.

[Daniel Unkefer]

I use a graphic arts loupe made by Pitman. I can easily see edges and corners, I tend to compose from the edges inward in a lot of cases. This works great for me. I still have a 50X Pocket Microscope from Edmund Scientific that I have used long ago

PARAGON Loupe by Pitman Co 2 by Nokton48, on Flickr

PARAGON Loupe by Pitman Co 1 by Nokton48, on Flickr