5x focusing loupe made from carbon

bonk · Jan 24, 2021

I just noticed that JOBO and Chamonix are making a new 5x focusing loupe. Is it any good? I am somewhat new to large format photography, what do I need to look out for when buying a focusing loupe? Is 5x enlargement the right amount of enlargement?

I plan to travel a lot with my new Chamonix C45F-2, so I like the fact that this loupe is made from carbon. Anything I can do to reduce the weight of my backpack is a good thing.

BradS · Jan 24, 2021

I don’t like using a loupe because it requires one to hold it in hand. Instead, I use a pair of strong (+3.5 for me), inexpensive ($9.99) reading glasses. This leaves both hands free to deal with camera controls.

Bob S · Jan 24, 2021

BradS said:
I don’t like using a loupe because it requires one to hold it in hand. Instead, I use a pair of strong (+3.5 for me), inexpensive ($9.99) reading glasses. This leaves both hands free to deal with camera controls.

And means that means that you can’t vary your eye to gg position. And you are lucky if you are actually focusing on the grain side of your gg.

BradS · Jan 24, 2021

Bob S said:
And means that means that you can’t vary your eye to gg position. And you are lucky if you are actually focusing on the grain side of your gg.

Been doing it for a while.
Result don't lie.

Bob S · Jan 24, 2021

BradS said:
Been doing it for a while.
Result don't lie.
...and I'm not trying to sell anybody an expensive piece of gear.

No, just the wrong piece of gear for the wrong reason.

BradS · Jan 24, 2021

Bob S said:
No, just the wrong piece of gear for the wrong reason.

Really? How so?
Like I said....been doing it that way for quite a while. Lots of others do it that way too. Seems like it works fine.

138S · Jan 24, 2021

Bob S said:
No, just the wrong piece of gear for the wrong reason.

BradS said:
Like I said....been doing it that way for quite a while. Lots of others do it that way too. Seems like it works fine.

Bob, no doubt that a loupe with adjustable height is the perfection for critical focus, as you explained it may times we adjust focus in the GG grain (with no lens mounted, for example) and then we have a perfect tool. No doubt that what you recommend in sthe perfection.

Still IMO other ways are also possible to nail focus, using a pair of strong reading glasses can be useful, requiring an additional effort to keep the right distance, but it can be enough in many situations. Personally I use both, I found the glasses good to adjust tilt swing as both hands are free, then I check focus with a x8 loupe.

Anyway, using poweful glasses is nothing new... I guess Adams was using glasses to focus sometimes, still I'm not sure if in the image bellow he used the glasses to focus or not, my guess it he was focusing with the glasses, but he also could use the strong power attachment for other concerns.

Vaughn · Jan 24, 2021

Yes, a x5 loupe is about right -- not too much need for any much stronger.

I do not expect to see 'perfect focus' and one does not need to for most photographic work. A lot of my focusing includes slight in-and-out of focus movement with the standards -- then I stop the standard right in between the out of focus spots.

138S · Jan 24, 2021

Vaughn said:
Yes, a x5 loupe is about right -- not too much need for any much stronger.

I do not expect to see 'perfect focus' and one does not need to for most photographic work. A lot of my focusing includes slight in-and-out of focus movement with the standards -- then I stop the standard right in between the out of focus spots.

Yes... and if we focus at f/5.6 and later we stop to f/22 then DOF will provide a quite ample safety belt... to not mention the situation in what or subject is in a 3D scene where we don't have perfect focus anywere...

Doremus Scudder · Jan 24, 2021

BradS said:
I don’t like using a loupe because it requires one to hold it in hand. Instead, I use a pair of strong (+3.5 for me), inexpensive ($9.99) reading glasses. This leaves both hands free to deal with camera controls.

I use readers like Brad and flip-ups (4x) like St. Ansel for general viewing. Fine focusing gets done with a 5x or 6x loupe.

I don't like loupes with skirts, since I can't see into the corners with them easily. I use linen or stamp magnifiers, usually one achromatic element, held free. Yes, I have to find the frosted side of the ground glass to focus on; it's really not difficult once you know what to look for.

Best,

Doremus

grat · Jan 24, 2021

Doremus Scudder said:
I don't like loupes with skirts, since I can't see into the corners with them easily. I use linen or stamp magnifiers, usually one achromatic element, held free. Yes, I have to find the frosted side of the ground glass to focus on; it's really not difficult once you know what to look for.

Yeah-- It's why I can't believe Peak is the only outfit to produce a loupe with a square base. This should be obvious. It's also nice in that you have both a clear, and an opaque skirt you can use. I'd prefer 5x or 6x, but so far, 4x has worked well for me.

If someone would produce a 5x loupe with a square base and a 4" overall length, I would beat them over the head util they took my money.

CropDusterMan · Jan 24, 2021

I own a Chamonix 4 x 5 N2 and I’m blown away with the quality. I wouldn’t hesitate buying anything of theirs,
And that loupe looks pretty sweet.

J

GKC · Jan 31, 2021

I prefer a loupe that has an attached neck cord.
It adds to the LF "swagger"

GKC · Jan 31, 2021

grat said:
Yeah-- It's why I can't believe Peak is the only outfit to produce a loupe with a square base. This should be obvious. It's also nice in that you have both a clear, and an opaque skirt you can use. I'd prefer 5x or 6x, but so far, 4x has worked well for me.

If someone would produce a 5x loupe with a square base and a 4" overall length, I would beat them over the head util they took my money.

FWIW the Silvestri tilting loupe has a squared off base

grat · Jan 31, 2021

Kind of. Looking at one on-line, it looks like three sides are flat, and the bottom is.... triangular. The other issue is that in order to tilt, there's a light gap between the base and the loupe. Finally, for me, it's too short, at only 53mm.

Still, good to know there are some alternative designs out there.

Doremus Scudder · Jan 31, 2021

GKC said:
I prefer a loupe that has an attached neck cord.
It adds to the LF "swagger"

...and you don't lose it easily that way either! I've lost a few nice loupes (a Peak 8x and a Nikon 10x) down canyons and off cliffs... I've got lanyards on my meter and viewing filter, but not on my loupes... Maybe I should figure something out.

Doremus

DREW WILEY · Feb 4, 2021

4X is nice, but I personally prefer the 7X Peak design, often encountered rebranded by Horseman or Nikon. I have a tiny 10X emergency spare made by Emo. Why? - just like Doremus just stated. I've hence drilled a tiny hole in the loupe collars, and attached thin lanyards of either monofilament fishing line or nylon chalk line.

I don't see much point to carbon fiber in the linked example, except that they're trying to be cool and match the look of the carbon fiber present in their cameras. The weight reduction would be miniscule.

5x focusing loupe made from carbon

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