Looking for a loupe, and now my head is spinning

[removed account4]

i use a (toyo) monocular viewer
got it on ebay maybe 10 years ago
works great

but you can use anything
i sometimes use a cheap peak loupe purchased for a few dollars
and other times i use a cell from a tessar lens
i am sure a cheap dollar store magnifier for $1 will work great.
just because something costs $$ doesn't mean it is good ...

 

[summicron1]

I've used 50-something 1.8-ish lenses, any mount, for a long time. So-called "quality" loupes are extortionately priced, just like most cheaper ones for the "quality" they deliver.

I'm with this guy -- an old 50mm lens off a dead SLR is optically superior to any pricy loupe you buy for any silly amount at all. And dead SLRs can be had for a song, lens attached.

Take the lens off, use as loupe. For added humor, stuff the dead camera body with potting soil and plant a seed of some sort in it. Makes a great conversation piece.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Another vote for old 50mm lenses.

Cheers,

R.