Focusing loupe for 4 x 5 ground glass - recommendation

MTGseattle · May 9, 2024

I purchased one of the etone loupes. To me, the aluminum on the "skirt" is machined pretty well so I am not worried about damaging the ground glass. I really need to try the reading glasses method though.
When I was looking at loupes 2-3 years ago it seemed like all of the usual suspects were at least $100 used. I got the etone new for 80. I was probably looking during a weird peak in the used loupe market (reminds me of when the Kopil and other little self-timers used to go for <$100)
I agree that a focusing loupe is beneficial. I also agree that the Horizon loupes are pretty nice for the money. I've had my 4x for looking at 35mm negs for over 20 years.
I finally caught one of the big Peak 4x anastigmat loupes at a garage sale one time which is awesome for light table work. It's my indoor loupe.

sperera · May 10, 2024

I think a long neck would be my preference as it makes it all more comfortable....as I said I have used a Hasselblad chimney viewfinder in the past haha thanks for the continued comments much appreciated and as predicted everyone has their own preference

sperera · May 10, 2024

Oh..what is the skirt you speak of? I assume it's the kind of lens shade that goes in and out like on Leica R lenses allowing light to come in from the side?

Philippe-Georges · May 10, 2024

A loupe should be good for oblique viewing too, as with lateral— or Scheimpflug adjustments...

Kino · May 10, 2024

The loupes with clear skirts are great for looking at prints or negatives, but they bother me personally when trying to use them on a ground glass. (YMMV)

I have a Calumet 7X loupe that came with my Calumet 4x5 and it has just about the right magnification for my purposes. The eTone loupes look similar, but are styled a bit different...

MTGseattle · May 11, 2024

I am likely in error, but I called the part of the loupe that rests against the ground glass the "skirt." Also, the etone loupe model I have is 6x magnification and focusing. With my eyeglasses, the focusing is fiddly and I feel like I can't be as accurate as I should be. I really need to get some "readers" and try that method. My daily prescription isn't strong enough for critical focus.

Chuck1 · May 11, 2024

The calumet 7x is pretty much the same as the horseman, they can be very reasonably priced

Philippe-Georges · May 12, 2024

MTGseattle said:
I am likely in error, but I called the part of the loupe that rests against the ground glass the "skirt." Also, the etone loupe model I have is 6x magnification and focusing. With my eyeglasses, the focusing is fiddly and I feel like I can't be as accurate as I should be. I really need to get some "readers" and try that method. My daily prescription isn't strong enough for critical focus.

I have to take off my (multifocal-) spectacles for focussing with any loupe, but not with the one in the Hasselblad's folding hood.

I have a kind of an 'elastic sports string thing' attached on my spectacles so they will not fall off when I slide them up on my forehead.

MTGseattle · May 12, 2024

It may/may not have any bearing, but I've never been a person who wears a necklace (minus dogtags in the Army) so any string/strap/leash on my glasses bothers me. I humbly agree that they are cheap and easy insurance and I'm simply being stubborn.

Chuck1 · May 12, 2024

The croakies (neoprene ones) both keep my glasses from falling off and let them rest on my forehead. Love them

_T_ · May 12, 2024

I use cheap watchmaker’s loupes because they cost like $5-10. Work pretty good because looking at tiny watch parts is pretty demanding, and I don’t have to worry about damaging a $200 piece of equipment if it bangs into something or gets dropped onto a hard surface.

They also make nicer ones that focus and have better correction and all that for like $50

BobUK · May 12, 2024

magnifying glasses & loupes

www.theloupestore.co.uk

Click on the link above.

I have never bought anything here, so cannot comment on the service, but they have a real good selection.

The Loupe Store in the UK.

Not too far from Gibraltar.

Philippe-Georges · May 13, 2024

_T_ said:
I use cheap watchmaker’s loupes because they cost like $5-10. Work pretty good because looking at tiny watch parts is pretty demanding, and I don’t have to worry about damaging a $200 piece of equipment if it bangs into something or gets dropped onto a hard surface.

They also make nicer ones that focus and have better correction and all that for like $50

Yes, hence the USSR made Horizon loupe I use...

I have a superb Schneider loupe too, and believe it or not, but it is less comfortable to use when rather extreme adjustments, tilt AND shift, are applied particularly with wide angles.
The obliquely traveling light must be viewed in the same direction as the light rays, thus oblique too.
A very well made, technically corrected and 'straight' loupe is actually 'too good', a 'bad' one isn't that demanding, not when viewing 'sloppy on purpose' which is not inline with the loupe's optical axis, if you understand what I am trying to say...

Anyway, we use an optical bench camera particularly for the ability to do (complex-) lens- and film plane movements, don't we?
Scheimpflug and Carpentier aren't far away then...

BTW, a few weeks ago, a Silvestri branded specially designed loupe for oblique viewing, was offered over here in the classifieds section (or was it on the LF forum?).

Marco Gilardetti · May 13, 2024

blee1996 said:
I tried several loupes, and eventually settled down on a Wista 6x that can focus.

After having tried several, I agree in full with the above: I also kept the Wista and got rid of all others.

Should you decide to buy anything else, I at least warmly suggest that you pick a focusable unit.

sperera · May 14, 2024

Hi all I ordered the Chamonix reflex viewer with x 3 magnification so I will see how I get on with that....thanks for all your comments and I will revert back of the viewer doesnt work well for me.

Focusing loupe for 4 x 5 ground glass - recommendation

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