Good loupe for small ground glass

Michael Mutmansky · Mar 20, 2022

Folks,

I have a Fujifilm GX617 camera that is new to me and I also have the ground glass for it. I figure I won’t necessarily use it too often but when I do, I want to be able to check the focus reasonably with a loupe, so i need to get a loupe.

When I shot LF, I used a few different ones, including the Toyo 4x and I think it was a Horseman tilting loupe, which was a 4x or maybe 6x.

My needs for a loupe are that it has to be pretty thin because the GG isn’t all that large and I won’t be able to get into the corners well with a big fat loupe. It also needs to be long like the old Toyo because the hood is about 2 or so inches on all four sides. Unfortunately, a tilting loupe won’t work because of the hood on the GG.

Maybe it should be one with a square or rectangular bottom on it to get into the corners better?

Anyway, I’m looking for suggestions on options. My impression is that I would like a 6x or maybe 8x and the length needs to be at least 2” and preferably longer, like 3” or so. High eye point would be great since I wear glasses.

Any recommendations are appreciated.

—Michael

Michael Mutmansky · Mar 20, 2022

It must have been a Silvestri tilting loupe… not Horseman.

the smaller the ground glass, the more critical the loupe is, or at least the more critical the need to get a good one with high enough magnification tow give you good focus confirmation…

MARTIE · Mar 20, 2022

You could try a Peak. I have a x7 but its only 2.44".
Happy hunting!
https://www.peakoptics.com/

Nitroplait · Mar 20, 2022

PEAK 1960 x5 is about 2,5" tall. It is not the best in their lineup, but inexpensive. I don't really think I get much value from highly corrected lupes when I am just checking focus, but YMMV.

AgX · Mar 20, 2022

A tilting loupe only focuses on a line at the groundglass, not a patch.

Dan Daniel · Mar 20, 2022

I used one of these, Peak 5x with a Horseman VH and now with a Crown Graphic, both 6x9. I applied black making tape to the clear area to reduce light coming in, but not sure if that was really needed because both of these cameras have a hood around the ground glass.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/284499008538?hash=item423d765c1a:g:NJIAAOSw9plhcqPD

BrianShaw · Mar 20, 2022

On eBay check out the eTone loupe. 6x. Focusable. Solid construction. Appears to be good glass.

I got one a while ago and was impressed. Unfortunately haven’t used it much yet though. Every time I look at it I’m impressed.

Michael Mutmansky · Mar 20, 2022

BrianShaw said:
On eBay check out the eTone loupe. 6x. Focusable. Solid construction. Appears to be good glass.

I got one a while ago and was impressed. Unfortunately haven’t used it much yet though. Every time I look at it I’m impressed.

Yes, thanks. I saw that and was wondering how it was... I thought it would meet my requirements. I'll keep that in the list.

Michael Mutmansky · Mar 20, 2022

AgX said:
A tilting loupe only focuses on a line at the groundglass, not a patch.

Yes, I know exactly how tilting loupes work...

nosmok · Mar 20, 2022

I use an ancient Burke and James 10x telescope for all my ground-glass magnifying needs. Advantage over the cheap loupes I had before is that it doesn't need to touch the glass, so it's good for tight spots. From evilBay, of course.

ridax · Mar 26, 2022

A primitive 16mm-cine-projector lens allows me to focus as precisely as my Peak 7x does. The only difference is that I can use the Peak extensively all day long without any trouble, and with a 16mm projection Petzval I get a real pain in my eye too soon.

grat · Mar 26, 2022

eTone makes a 6x loupe that's approximately 4 inches in length and about 1.5" in diameter, with diopter adjustment. Decent image all the way across, and minimal (if any) distortion. Seems reasonably well built, and should survive the occasional drop.

eli griggs · Mar 26, 2022

Has anyone here tried a 90mm -135mm ltm, like a Jupiter or Leica, or Canon lens?

How was your finding?

BrianShaw · Mar 26, 2022

eli griggs said:
Has anyone here tried a 90mm -135mm ltm, like a Jupiter or Leica, or Canon lens?

How was your finding?

I've tried it with camera lenses, backward, although not a LTM. It works but awkward. Any kind of loupe worked better fo rme than that option.

eli griggs · Mar 27, 2022

Cheers!

BrianShaw said:
I've tried it with camera lenses, backward, although not a LTM. It works but awkward. Any kind of loupe worked better fo rme than that option.

eli griggs · Apr 12, 2022

Think about close-up monoculars, like the 2x, on up, offerings of this company, https://lssproducts.com/closeup-6x18mm-close-focusing-monocular/

Pay attention to the number after the power multipler ie. 4x 25, as that is key to having a good, easy to read objective, in this case 25mm of pupil relief.

A small number means less light is getting through and you'll struggle to see properly through the tool.

These are made for folks with vision difficulties and may work well enough for our needs.

Cheers.

Good loupe for small ground glass

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