Focusing loupe for 4 x 5 ground glass - recommendation

sperera

Subscriber
Joined
Mar 6, 2009
Messages
607
Location
Gibraltar
Format
Multi Format
haha me again! sorry.....recommendations? Obv there will be many answers.....I would say a taller loupe would be best for the neck muscles etc no? in terns of magnification well, you tell me. My eyesight isnt great anymore I wear glasses for reading/computer
 

bripriuk

Member
Joined
Aug 20, 2014
Messages
37
Format
127 Format
It's going to be trial and error, I'm afraid.
I worked in a professional studio with two other photographers and none of us could use each other's loupe.
 

Alan9940

Member
Joined
Jun 17, 2006
Messages
2,421
Location
Arizona
Format
Multi Format
I have a couple of different loupes and, frankly, don't really care for them. I much prefer a pair of magnifying eye glasses.
 

xkaes

Subscriber
Joined
Mar 25, 2006
Messages
4,791
Location
Colorado
Format
Multi Format
bripriuk says it best, but this topic has been covered many times on this forum. Try a SEARCH (upper right corner of the screen), and you can spend all day. There are "hundreds" to choose from, new and used, with all sorts of features -- magnifications, height, size, price, etc.

But don't worry, everyone else will jump in with their recommendation(s) on what YOU should use.
 

xkaes

Subscriber
Joined
Mar 25, 2006
Messages
4,791
Location
Colorado
Format
Multi Format
Some people prefer low mag -- 3X -- others prefer high mag -- 10X. It's whatever works for you. Blondes vs brunettes vs redheads. I prefer 7X about 3" tall.
 
Last edited:

BrianShaw

Member
Joined
Nov 30, 2005
Messages
16,525
Location
La-la-land
Format
Multi Format
Some like tall and other like short loupes. Between magnification and this choice, there are many in each category.

Which characteristics do you think will suit your needs? You can use eBay as a bit of a wishbook: keywords “large formst loupe” Will show pictures and descriptions of the diversity of offerings.

If you have no idea at the moment, look at the eTone 7X. A lot of loupe for the money.
 

xkaes

Subscriber
Joined
Mar 25, 2006
Messages
4,791
Location
Colorado
Format
Multi Format
Don't forget the neck strap, interchangeable bases, protective pouch, adjustable diopter, rubber eye-cup,................
 

BrianShaw

Member
Joined
Nov 30, 2005
Messages
16,525
Location
La-la-land
Format
Multi Format
Protective pouch... what a great idea. I have lenscaps, aftermarket of course, on both ends of mine but a protective pouch might be a better idea!
 

abruzzi

Member
Joined
Mar 10, 2018
Messages
3,060
Location
New Mexico, USA
Format
Large Format
longer loupes are better if your camera has a hard hood or similar. The hood can make it hard to place a shorter loupe on the glass and still get your eye close enough to use it. I'm reccomend starting with something like the Toyo 3.6x loupes. They're reletively inexpensive, and work well. I have one of the eTone loupes, which I don't love. I also have a Nikkor 8-16x loupe, but for most things even 8x can be too much.
 

BrianShaw

Member
Joined
Nov 30, 2005
Messages
16,525
Location
La-la-land
Format
Multi Format
abruzzi said:
... I have one of the eTone loupes, which I don't love. ...
Click to expand...

May I ask why not? Mine is satisfactory but I wish it wasn't 7x. I'm guessing that the magnification might be the issue for you also, or is it something else?
 

Marcelo Paniagua

Member
Joined
Oct 21, 2016
Messages
1,273
Location
Calexico, CA
Format
Multi Format
Here are my two loupes





So far have not need anything more fancy. Usually they do the job for my Caltar 65mm F/8 which is the one I find harder to focus.
 

choiliefan

Member
Joined
Dec 27, 2013
Messages
1,311
Format
Medium Format
I have a Mamiya 4x loupe. It's aluminum, focusable, multicoated and bright. Works very well but its the only quality one I've ever used. Beat the heck out of the old plastic 8x AGFA I was using.
 

Doremus Scudder

Member
Joined
Sep 10, 2002
Messages
3,589
Location
Eugene, Oregon
Format
4x5 Format
3-4 diopter reading glasses for composing and rough focusing. Some kind of loupe or magnifier for fine focusing.

In the past I've used loupes with and without skirts. Holding the loupe free means you have to move back and forth to find the right focus, but it allows you to hold the loupe at an angle to see into the corners better. Currently I'm using 5-6x magnifiers without skirts.

Doremus
 

abruzzi

Member
Joined
Mar 10, 2018
Messages
3,060
Location
New Mexico, USA
Format
Large Format
BrianShaw said:
May I ask why not? Mine is satisfactory but I wish it wasn't 7x. I'm guessing that the magnification might be the issue for you also, or is it something else?
Click to expand...

Its not bad, but I dislike that the end I press against the ground glass is metal--needing more care not to scratch things. It also doesn't have adjustable focus and it a tiny bit off for my eyes. (the Toyo loupes don't have focus either, but it spot on for my vision.)
 

BrianShaw

Member
Joined
Nov 30, 2005
Messages
16,525
Location
La-la-land
Format
Multi Format

Ahhh, I understand. We must have different versions as mine has soft plastic end and diopter adjustment. When I bought mine there was a tapered “new version” and the older version, which I bought.
 
Last edited:

ChrisK

Member
Joined
Mar 20, 2008
Messages
10
Format
4x5 Format
Personal opinion...if you wear glasses for reading and the like, consider one that focuses. It takes only a bit to get used to focusing the loupe on the ground glass and then it'll be a snap. For any loupe outside a studio, consider a lanyard. Decapitation aside, if it is around your neck you are not going to lose it or find yourself patting yourself down trying to find which pocket you put it in. If you are decapitated, don't sweat the loupe. You have bigger issues.
 
OP
OP

sperera

Subscriber
Joined
Mar 6, 2009
Messages
607
Location
Gibraltar
Format
Multi Format

Hahahaha good one
 

Maris

Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2006
Messages
1,571
Location
Noosa, Australia
Format
Multi Format
And then there is the old notion that the focussing loupe should have more magnification that the intended enlargement ratio. For example a 16X20 enlargement from 4x5 is a 4x enlargement so a 6x loupe would offer an additional "reserve" of focussing accuracy.
 

blee1996

Subscriber
Joined
Jul 25, 2008
Messages
1,216
Location
SF Bay Area, California
Format
Multi Format
I tried several loupes, and eventually settled down on a Wista 6x that can focus. The other two are Schneider MC 4x (great for viewing slides) and Toyo 3.6x (long neck, non-focusing). Eventually I find the higher magnification of Wista 6x combined with focusing ability helps me to get critical focus on the 4x5 ground glass of my Chamonix and Tachihara field cameras.

On the other hand, I do use the long necked Toyo 3.6x on Linhof Tech V, which has a focusing hood.

I guess it is best to try a few different types and magnification, and find the one you like most.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn more…